USAF awards $339 million to Boeing for new WGS-10 satellite

The U.S. Air Force likes what Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems is doing for the Wideband Global Satellite Communications program. So it’s modifying its contract and awarding Boeing an additional $338.7 million to build a tenth WGS military communications satellite.

As its name suggests, the planned WGS-10 will be the tenth member of the WGS system. Its new wideband digital channelizer gives it twice the satellite bandwidth compared to its predecessors’ configuration.

The USAF is procuring the WGS satellites through a commercial-style operating model. The new purchasing model saves significant amounts of money by streamlining processes, tests, and governmental oversight functions based on the developing maturity of the WGS production line.

Boeing’s production of the WGS satellites began in 2000. The first three satellites are in geosynchronous orbit, providing wideband communications to warfighters around the globe. WGS-4 was successfully launched in January 2012 and is currently being readied for operations. The next five satellites, 5 to 9, are currently in production, while number 10 has just been ordered by the USAF.

The Wideband Global satellite communications system provides 24/7/365 communication worldwide for U.S. warfighter through broadcast, multicast and point-to-point connections. It is the only system that can support X- and Ka-band communications at the same time, and its capability to crossband ensures transparent communication across terminal types. The three currently-operational satellites currently gathers and routes real-time data through more than 700 X-band, 3100 Ka-band, and 400 X/Ka-band terminals around the world.

SatCom Global's Horizon satellite communications terminal had hit significant growth milestones set by SCG's owner, One Horizon Group Plc., for the first half of 2012.

A recent announcement by One Horizon Group detailed the Horizon terminal's milestones. Horizon has processed over 67,000 pre-paid voice minutes and transferred 4GB of data in June. Furthermore, Horizon satellite communications units saved 14GB of data for its maritime customers through optimization, which was more than 75 percent compared to rival Inmarsat terminals. Horizon had also achieved a monthly voice growth of 68 to 92 percent throughout Q2 2012.

“Horizon’s substantial growth validates it has gained visibility with crew in the maritime industry," said Sandy Johnson, COO, SatCom Global, "and that they recognize the value that Horizon offers. Through the affordability that Horizon’s optimisation provides crew members have also been able to increase their time spent online by 59%.”

Maritime industry crewmen often stay isolated for long periods of time. The capacity to keep in touch with family and friends through cost-effective satellite communications would drastically increase morale and work efficiency.

SCG's Horizon satcom terminal puts mobile and fixed satellite network bandwidth to efficient use. Its optimisation technology uses as little as 20% data than other VoIP services and saves more of 20,000 bytes per website viewed. By making voice and data services more efficient, Horizon significantly reduces crew communications costs.

Horizon also allows crew members to track their call and surf expenditures. And gone are the days when crew needed to wait in a queue; Horizon uses an IP link to enable up to eight simultaneous calls.

SatCom Global's Horizon terminal empowers ship owners with the ability to provide voice and data services to their crew for morale purposes at an affordable price. SCG's SmartPacket technology allows VoIP using only 2kbps. Other VoIP services require around 8kpbs. Horizon extends the same optimizition to other data applications, resulting in compressed email, internet on satellite, and instant messaging services.

VA-208 dual satcom payload undergo last preparations

As of July 23, 2012, Ariane Flight VA-208's satellite passengers are undergoing last preparations for their August 2 launch mission.

The French Guiana-located Spaceport’s S5B dual-function hall is hosting the HYLAS 2 satellite. At the time of this writing, the satellite has received its propellant, which it will use to maneuver itself once in orbit. Manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation on behalf of satellite communications company Avanti Communications, HYLAS 2's cutting-edge Ka-band technology will deliver high-speed, low-cost two-way data communications. The Ka-band satellite can direct 24 fixed beams and one steerable beam to provide data capacity to rapidly-expanding African, Middle Eastern, and Caucasus markets.

HYLAS 2's companion, the Intelsat 20 platform, has already been mounted on its adapter interface with the Ariane 5 rocket. Built by Space Systems/Loral for satellite communications company Intelsat, the C-band / Ku-band satellite specializes in delivering high-power distribution of video, voice, and data network services using legacy C-band and Ku-band payload. This spacecraft will replace the earlier, co-located Intelsat 7 and Intelsat 10 communications satellites.

The upcoming Arianespace Flight VA-208 will be the 208th mission of an Ariane family vehicle. Commission by satellite communication companies Intelsat and Avanti, VA-208 will also be the fourth mission for the heavy-lift Ariane 5 for this year.

American Red Cross deploys GRT's mobile field-data solution for Colorado wildfire

The American Red Cross (ARC) used Global Relief Technologies' Rapid Data Management System (RDMS) technology solution to coordinate ARC field workers participating in support and relief efforts during the Colorado Wildfires.

RDMS is a leading mobile data collection, management, and analysis solution used by various agencies, the US military, non-government organizations like the ARC, and other countries. Suzanne Bresette, Executive Vice President of GRT, explained that "We at GRT know the use of RDMS by the American Red Cross will help ARC provide needed support and aid much faster to the unfortunate victims of the disaster caused by the Colorado Wildfires."

Investigators are still studying the possible cause of the Colorado Wildfires. The state has spent over $9 million to battle the wildfires, which started on June 23. More than 100,000 acres across the state had been devastated, and many residents were forced to evacuate their homes. In just one of the neighborhoods overrun by Colorado's most destructive wildfire, a total of more than $110 million worth of homes had been destroyed. The Denver Post reported that actual losses will probably run much higher during the final estimate.

There was a bright spot in the ash-filled gloom. The American Red Cross was able to effectively coordinate and direct its field workers through the use of Global Relief Technologies' Rapid Data Management System. RDMS had already been proven its worth during earlier emergency response and disaster relief efforts to areas affected by hurricanes, tornados, and floods.

ARC collects Damage Assessments of the scenario via RDMS. The data is saved and then combined with geo-location information that maps the data. The resulting map is used to determine the extent of damage dealt by a disaster to a geographic area as well as to ascertain the severity of structural damage.

In addition, RDMS can use any number of map overlays to enhance the user's situational awareness by displaying access points, rights of way, weather, and other salient points. Satellite imagery from GRT's partner GeoEye, in particular, can be used to great effect.

Particular features found in Global Relief Technologies' RDMS include an intuitive graphical user interface, 100% real-time two way communication, a Workflow Rules & Computation Engine that validates structured data and improves accuracy during the collection process, and Global Positioning System (GPS) & Geographic Information System (GIS) integrated mapping capabilities. RDMS also has the capacity to work in a connected and/or disconnected environment, is easily reconfigured to the specific needs of individual users, and ensures high levels of security.

RDMS can also keep Emergency Response, Disaster Recovery Teams, and Military Operations connected 24/7 through the use of Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) satellite communications. This is critical because wireless, and other modes of connection are often unavailable during a natural disaster.

EM Solutions wins bid with Japan for KIZUNA-compatible SOTM system

EM Solutions and its Tokyo-based partner, Jepico Corporation, will provide Japan with the Satellite on the Move (SOTM) system, which -in combination with the planned W.I.N.D.S. (KIZUNA) Ka-band communications satellite- can ensure unbroken satellite communications and broadband during disasters.

The two partner companies won a bid with the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Japan’s national research institute on information and communications. Their SOTM system will ensure steady communications with the newest Ka-band broadband satellites (such as KIZUNA) even in the roughest conditions, such as stormy seas or off-road.

More than 21 meters in length with solar panels fully extended and massing 2.7 tons, KIZUNA will be placed at an altitude of approximately 36,000km at the 143 degrees East slot. It will provide super high-speed data communications with download speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps for government organizations, companies, and even private civilian users.

EM Solutions first developed its SOTM technology with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through the former's links with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO.) According to Dr. Rowan Gilmore, EM Solutions CEO, the ADF asked the DSTO to provide a mounted battle command on-the-move satellite communications system. The end result was a very tough terminal that could maintain vital communications and supply troops with high-quality, broadband information even in the worst driving conditions.

According to Dr. Gilmore, SOTM can be easily mounted on a vehicle, driven to the location of a natural disaster, and deployed to provide a mobile communication facility on site. SOTM can support vital communications during times when everything else breaks down.

The recent Great East Japan earthquakes, aftershocks, and accompanying tsunami disrupted terrestrial communications networks throughout affected regions of Japan. The dearth of communications severely disrupted early-warning, rescue, and relief efforts that relied on those disabled ground stations.

Japan's WINDS OTM system is intended to maintain high-speed broadband communications even when terrestrial networks are down. EM Solution's SOTM platform will be one of many systems that can tap KIZUNA's capacities in order to coordinate disaster relief operations.

NewSat's Ball Plans Growth and Jabiru

NewSat’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), David Ball, an executive focusing on scientific and technological issues within the organization, features in APB’s Satellite Special. He discusses the big changes within the satellite industry, as well as news that shakes and shapes the market.

Ball sketches out three growth areas and threats to the satellite market. Aside from that, he also provides an update on the Jabiru Satellite Program’s fleet of Ka band satellites.

NewSat is to date the largest independent  provider of satellite communications/communications satellite (COMSAT) or artificial satellite stationed in space for the purpose of telecommunications in the Commonwealth of Australia, a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.   

Newsat provides coverage to 75.5% of the Earth’s surface, including their satellites, VSATs (very small aperture terminals), a two-way satellite ground station or a stabilized maritime VSAT antenna with a dish antenna that is smaller than three meters, and teleports (telecommunications port), a satellite ground station with multiple parabolic antennas (i.e., an antenna farm) that functions as a hub connecting a satellite or geocentric orbital network with a terrestrial telecommunications network.

See: 'Voyager 1' Mission Profile: Exploration of Jupiter

NewSat, Australia's Satellite Company

NewSat Limited (ASX: NWT) is Australia’s largest specialist satellite communications company, delivering Internet, voice, data and video communications via satellite. With its unique-to-Australia Teleport infrastructure, NewSat provides a full range of managed satellite communication services and has established a reputation as the partner of choice for governments, corporations and private enterprises. Today, NewSat has the ability to provide coverage to 75% of the globe; from Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, across the Indian Ocean extending into Europe and across the Pacific Ocean, reaching into the West coast of the USA.


NewSat’s world acclaimed Teleports in Perth (Western Australia) and Adelaide (South Australia) were Top 3 Finalists in the World Teleport Association’s 2012 and 2010 “Awards for Excellence” and made the 2011 “Top Operator Rankings”. Both Teleports are accredited to supply services to the Australian Department of Defence (DRSS) and are recognised as highly secure Global Access Points, supporting certified classified networks to ensure the transmission of vital and sensitive information for government clients.


NewSat will be expanding its satellite capabilities with the Jabiru Satellite Program, beginning with the launch and operation of Jabiru-1, Australia’s first independently owned commercial satellite. Jabiru-1, a large Ka- band next generation satellite, will provide superior coverage over South East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Jabiru-2, also scheduled, will deliver enhanced coverage in and around Australia. NewSat has rights to eight premium orbital slots and its fleet of next generation geostationary satellites will lead Australia’s space quest.