MHI Exec Hopes For Great International Presence Going Forward
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) hopes the successful launch of Telesat’s Telstar 12 Vantage on the H-2A rocket will be the precursor to more international business. Ko Ogasawara, VP and general manager at MHI Launch Services, says the company hopes to do more launches for international customers in the 2018 timeframe. “We would love to have other deals with the ‘Big Four’ operators. We are now doing new launcher development for the H3 vehicle, which will be very competitive to SpaceX and Arianespace.”
SpeedCast Begins Offering O3b Networks Services
SpeedCast has launched service with O3b Networks, delivering satellite connectivity to Christmas Island and Papua New Guinea. Since launching the O3b service on Christmas Island, SpeedCast reports a 300 percent increase in data usage.
Explore the March 2016 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
SSL to Provide Next Satellite for Telkom Indonesia
PT Telkom Indonesia has selected Space Systems Loral (SSL) to provide Telkom 4, based on the SSL 1300 platform, for FSS in Indonesia, India, and Southeast Asia. The satellite is designed to provide service for 15 years or more.
Inmarsat Orders Two Sixth-Generation Satellites from Airbus
Inmarsat has awarded Airbus Defence and Space a contract valued around $600 million to build the first two satellites for Inmarsat’s sixth-generation fleet (I-6). The I-6 fleet will feature dual payloads supporting L-band and Ka-band services with all-electric design. Each satellite will carry a large 9-meter aperture L-band antenna and nine multibeam Ka-band antennas.
Belarusian Telecom Satellite Launched Aboard Long March 3B
Belintersat 1, the first satellite of Belarus’ new national operator, launched aboard a Long March 3B rocket. The satellite at 51.5 degrees east carries 20 C-band transponders and 18 Ku-band transponders, covering Europe, Africa and much of Asia.
Neosat to Use Snecma’s Plasma Thruster
Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defence and Space jointly selected Snecma’s PPS5000 plasma thruster for their new-generation Neosat telecommunications satellite platforms. These include the Eurostar Neo (Airbus) and Spacebus Neo (Thales Alenia Space).
Toyota Displays Research Vehicle with Kymeta Satcom Antenna
At the 2016 North American International Auto Show, Toyota displayed a research vehicle based on the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, equipped with satellite communications technology from Kymeta. Toyota is considering using satellite communications in the future, including high capacity satellites.
OneWeb to Open Office in DC Metro Area
OneWeb has signed a lease in Rosslyn, Va., and is currently looking for engineers, managers and software architects to fill positions for its constellation of 700 LEO satellites for affordable global Internet access by 2019. VS
