Up In The Air

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Eutelsat 3D satellite preparing for launch on May

The 3D satellite of Eutelsat Communication is now in its final stage for the scheduled launch aboard an ILS Proton Breeze M rocket, which will blast off at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Built by Thales Alenia Space using the company’s Spacebus 4000 platform, Eutelsat 3D satellite weighs 5.4 tons and is designed to operate in orbit for a span of 15 years, The satellite will be initially located at three degrees east orbital position to address high-growth video, data, telecom and broadband markets. Eutelsat’s new satellite will be able to serve customers in Europe, Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East via the configuration of Ku and Ka transponders connected to three footprints. Meanwhile, a fourth Ku-band service area will provide for markets in sub-Saharan Africa. Once Eutelsat 3B is launched, the Eutelsat 3D satellite will change its orbital position to 7 degrees East. The upcoming Eutelsat 3B is scheduled to be launched next year to deliver spectrum growth and high levels of operational flexibility in C, Ku and Ka band.

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Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) and DMC International Imaging (DMCii) have signed a new agreement that will increase the volume and the speed at which KSAT delivers satellite imagery to DMCii...

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Telesat Successfully Launched Anik G1

The powerful Anik G1 satellite of Telesat has been successfully launched by ILS Proton, Telesat announced. Anik G1, according to the statement released by the satellite services operator, will be located at 107.3 degrees West providing a range of communications services, including direct-to-home (DTH) video for Canada, X-band for government applications in the Americas and Pacific Ocean Region, and C-band and Ku-band services in South America.

Anik G1 is the newest addition to Telesat's global fleet and carries 16 extended Ku-band transponders fully contracted to Shaw Direct for 15 years. Anik G1 will bring new capacity to meet the growing demand for satellite communications services in South America, as well.

Telesat President and CEO, Dan Goldberg, said, “Anik G1 will add meaningful incremental capacity to Telesat’s fleet that will contribute to our anticipated growth in 2013 and beyond. We are pleased that a significant portion of Anik G1’s capacity is pre-sold for 15 years to blue chip customers like Shaw Direct and Astrium Services. We look forward to delivering to them the outstanding quality and reliability they have come to expect from Telesat and to expanding the C-band and Ku-band services we provide to the rapidly growing South American market.”

See also: Hawaii To Launch Its First Satellite On October 2013

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First ever Ecuadoran nanosatellite set for launch from China

Ecuador will soon be joining the community of nations that operate satellites when Pegaso, its first ever nanosatellite, launches from a Chinese spaceport in two weeks time.

The "Pegaso" nanosatellite is a homegrown design built in Ecuador. Its onboard camera will broadcast live video images back to Earth.

"It's not a satellite bought in another country,” President Rafael Correa told the Ecuadoran engineering team, “It's a satellite made in Ecuador.”

The Ecuadoran Space Agency has set plans for a second satellite launch in July 2013.

Recommended additional reading:

Singapore hosts first ever NSSLGlobal office in Asia Pacific

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University of Hawaii plans first ever satellite launch from Kauai

The University of Hawaii has enlisted the help of the Pacific Missile Range Facility of the U.S. Navy for the first ever launch of a satellite from the island of Kauai.

The Pacific Missile Range Facility has previously test-launched missiles on behalf of the U.S. military. But if the University of Hawaii pulls through with its plan, then the Kauai facility will get to host its first ever satellite launch.

The HiiakaSat satellite was designed by faculty and students of the University of Hawaii for a two-year operational lifespan in low-Earth orbit. It will be operated by students from the Kauai Community College. The KCC students will also perform command and control duties at the satellite's ground station.

The Hawaii Space Flight Lab envisioned the HiiakaSat program to be the first step in creating a small satellite launch venture based in Kauai. Such a venture would potentially be attractive to companies that wish to test satellite-related space technology.

Recommended additional reading:

Belarus prepares new satellites, meteor watch system

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Canada's First Earth Observation Satellite Experienced Malfunction

Canadian Space Agency (CSA) reports a technical anomaly on the nation's first Earth Observation satellite, RADARSAT-1, just recently. Due to such malfunction, the spacecraft has to enter the 'safe mode,' a semi-dormant state by which the spacecraft conserves energy.

Fortunately, the dilemma shows no impact in the security of Canadian borders, coasts and northern territories for RADARSAT-2 still operates and continuously provide critical, high-quality data. RADARSAT-1 users, though, were advised that no new orders for imagery are being accepted, but that requests for archival images will continue to be processed.

Both developed by the CSA, RADATSAT-1 (launched 1995), and RADARSAT-2 (launched 2007) are part of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) the Government is ensuring Canada continues to have the tools necessary to assert its sovereignty, monitor and manage its resources, and keep watch over its vast territory and coastal areas.

See also: Azerspace-1/Africasat-1a Entered Full-Commercial Service

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Thailand taps China BDS for weather forecasting, disaster prevention

The dual-purpose BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) will be serving its first non-Chinese customer, Thailand, for purposes of forecasting weather and preventing disasters.

A satellite receiving station, a peripheral system, and an industrial park will be built in Thailand. The project will cost 2 billion yuan (US$322 million.)

The Chinese-built dual purpose satellite will keep an eye on the growing electricity, environmental, and transport infrastructure of Thailand. It will also issue warnings regarding disasters.

This is the first instance of BDS seeing service outside China.

BDIS is a homegrown Chinese engineering project. It started offering its services in the Asia-Pacific region in December 2012. The satellite network is expected to be completed in 2014, and its global navigation system should be ready by 2020. Recommended additional reading:

Azercosmos says Azerspace-1 Ku-band satellite ready for business

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SSL’s Satmex 8 satellite carries out post-launch maneuvers

Space Systems/Loral is happy to announce that the Satmex 8 satellite, designed and built for Satélites Mexicanos, is functioning properly and successfully performed post-launch maneuvers after its launch on Tuesday. The spacecraft has already deployed its solar arrays right on schedule after its launch aboard a Proton Breeze M launch vehicle, which was provided for by the International Launch Services. Satmex 8 has also began firing its main thruster to help maneuver into geosynchronous orbit. SSL President John Celli noted that the company shares the goal of Satmex to provide quality service to its customers, as well as the use of satellite communications to connect with the rest of the world. He added, “We are pleased to see Satmex 8 performing on orbit where it joins Satmex 6, also built by SSL, which continues to provide reliable service over the Americas.” As a Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) spacecraft, Satmex 8 aims to deliver broadband services, cellular backhaul, and video content and distribution to North, South and Central America. With this new development, people living in distant locations of these American regions will soon enjoy connectivity for telemedicine, distance learning, as well as emergency communications. Once Satmex 8 completes its in-orbit testing, the spacecraft will take the place of Satmex 5 at 116.8 degrees West longitude. “SSL has been an important contributor to our fleet expansion,” said Satmex program manager and director of engineering Jesus Gutierrez. “We would like to thank everyone at SSL, ILS, and Satmex who dedicated their time to this satellite and made this launch a success.” You may also want to read:

Intelsat, Digital Networks collaborate to enhance VSAT communications in North America

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