October 2014 Edition
Commercial Launch Sector (Global), Satellite refueling/repair/repurposement, Propulsion, On-Orbit Satellites
InfoBeam
Features
A Four Payload Push Debuts Commercial Launch Services, By Randa Relich Milliron, Co-Founder and CEO, Interorbital Systems
On March 29, 2014, Interorbital Systems’ (IOS) Common Propulsion Module Test Vehicle (CPM TV) thundered off the mobile launch unit on the rocket’s maiden flight. The 7,500-lb thrust engine performed flawlessly, propelling the 1200 lb. rocket to Mach 1.5 within seconds over the remote Mojave Desert of California.
The Future Will Be Electric...The Elwing Company Perspective, By Gregory Emsellem, Chief Executive Officer, The Elwing Company
In the satellite business, there is always a sense of excitement—the competitive arena around choice orbitals slots—the suspense surrounding a launch campaign—pushing the limits of new technology to get more out of what you already have.
SatBroadcasting™ Conference Fever... Reasons To Be Cheerful, By Chris Forrester, Senior Contributor
For the satellite and broadcast industries, this is definitely a busy time of the year. Summer, and hopefully a restful holiday, leads into a frantic conference season that has already experienced Euroconsult’s Paris World Satellite Week.
Executive Spotlight: John J. Stolte of ORBCOMM , Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations
John Stolte joined ORBCOMM in 2001. He has more than 20 years of technology management experience in the aerospace and telecommunications industries.
How Satellites Will Fuel the Next Wave of Journalism... A Thuraya Perspective, By John Huddle, Head of Media and Broadcast, Thuraya
In recent years, major events such as the Arab Spring and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake have brought the role of citizen journalists into global prominence.
Executive Spotlight: Curt Blake, President, Spaceflight, Inc.
Curt Blake has more than 25 years of executive experience in high-growth and tech industries. He previously served as senior vice president and general counsel for Spaceflight, leading efforts to expand its global network of launch service providers while building relationships with key commercial-, civilian- and defense-related customers.
New Export Controls on Satellites Bring New Compliance Challenges, By Brandt Pasco, Attorney, Kaye Scholer LLP
On June 27, 2014, radiation hardened chips of crucial interest to the satellite industry moved off the U.S. Munitions List to the licensing jurisdiction of the Department of Commerce.
A Hughes Case in Point: Major Moves for Maju Nusa Sdn Bhd, By Vince Onuigbo, Senior Marketing Director, International Division, Hughes Network Systems, LLC
The Malaysian government has made reliable telecommunications a top priority for every community within the nation’s 329,000 square miles.
From Plant to Pump: Energy Sector Communications, By Andrew Matlock, Senior Vice President, Global Sales, NewSat
Oil and gas operations are located in some of the world’s most difficult and isolated environments, where even the simplest communication and logistical tasks present both complex and costly challenges.
CubeSat Release Mechanism for Solar Panel and Tether Deployment Invented, By Kyra Wiens, Public Affairs Specialist, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
When a satellite is launched into space, there’s sometimes room on the rocket for a few mini satellites to hitch a ride, too. Adam Thurn, an Aerospace Engineer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), has invented a nichrome burn wire mechanism for these CubeSats to deploy an object once in orbit.
A SPACEBEL Case in Point: Proba-1, Fit and Well, Once Again, Originally designed for a two-year technology demonstration mission, the small satellite is still providing images of our planet Earth.
After more than a decade in Space, ESA’s Proba-1 (Project for On-Board Autonomy) began to show its age.
Careers: The Road To The Future... Who Do You Work For?, By Bert Sadtler, Senior Contributor
Companies today must re-assess their talent needs in order to remain competitive and drive growth. The satellite communications industry faces challenges but remains ripe with opportunities. Great talent can make a huge impact. Employers need to get it right and make a “great hire” every time.
NSR Analysis: The Coming 4K Mobile Video Explosion, By Jose Del Rosario, Research Director, NSR Manila
In August 2014, Lenovo, the Chinese electronics giant, announced details of its Vibe Z2 Pro smartphone for a September release. Among its many features, the new flagship offers a 16-megapixel (MP) rear camera and 4K video recording.
Executive Spotlight: Chris McCormick, Vice President, Moog Space and Defense
The industry is getting more efficient in building and supporting what’s needed for satellites and launch vehicles.
Event: Irwin Leads SATCON Into a New Orbit, Susan Irwin has served as SATCON’s Chair since 2002. She recently sat down with SatMagazine to discuss the industry and what to expect at this year’s event.
Thanks to a devoted following of industry insiders and a recent strategic partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters, SATCON is poised to enjoy its biggest, most influential year to date.