Two aborted launch attempts are bound to raise heart-rates and blood pressure, but SpaceX successfully sent a giant Intelsat (I-35e) satellite on its way to orbit at its third launch attempt. The success meant a third launch for SpaceX in less than two weeks. SpaceX used an all-new rocket for the launch and the mission’s […]
The loss of SES-owned AMC-9 on June 17th because of its on-board problems at 83 degrees West, and even reports of the satellite’s breaking up, has meant major changes for SES’ clients. AMC-9’s transmission payload is inert so there is no danger of interference to other satellites in its path. According to a detailed report […]
India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) has released its official DTH subscriber numbers for 2016 and they confirm earlier reports that growth is slowing. However, the overall numbers are still substantial. TRAI says that 2016’s core DTH subscriber base grew from 84.8 million (end of 2015) to 97.05 million (December 31st 2016), an increase of 14.45 […]
The Official Journal of the European Union has published the legal action brought by two satellite operators (Eutelsat/ViaSat) and Panasonic Aviation against the European Commission in their dispute with Inmarsat. The three objectors are complaining that – in essence – Inmarsat ought not to have been licensed to operate in-flight services for a system that […]
Rocket company SpaceX scrubbed its Monday evening launch of Intelsat’s 35e satellite. It was the second cancellation of the launch, and again the launch was aborted at the ten seconds to lift-off. In a tweet, SpaceX said it was standing down for the day due to a violation of abort criteria, adding that the payload […]
June 28th saw Inmarsat’s S-EAN (European Aviation Network) satellite launched by an Arianespace rocket. The satellite’s launch is controversial and Eutelsat, ViaSat of California and in-flight communications company Panasonic Aviation have lodged objections to the European Court of Justice and asking for an injunction to be issued to stop Inmarsat’s satellite opening for business. The […]
London-based speciality satellite operator Avanti Communications issued a trading update early on July 4th, and following on from its July 3rd confirmation of its recent debt and financial restructuring. Avanti says that revenues for the full financial year were “about $62 million”, and adds that “a number of projects to sell spectrum are progressing well […]
Satellite operator SES says that in the early hours of July 1st it re-established contact with its AMC-9 satellite, which suffered a “significant anomaly” on June 19th. SES and the craft’s manufacturer are working around the clock to evaluate the satellite’s status and define what step must be taken. SES also confirms tracking information received […]
Licensing body ULDAGE has confirmed the commencement of patent licensing activities under the system of a patent pool that collectively, and under fair and reasonable conditions, bundles and licenses the patents that are essential to the realisation of the UHDTV satellite broadcasting standards, to business operators that are involved in transmission and reception of UHDTV […]
The countdown for the launch of Intelsat 35e was halted with just 9 seconds to go when a computer monitoring the Falcon 9 rocket’s guidance, navigation and control criteria aborted the launch. The launch was scheduled for the later afternoon of July at 07.36 Florida-time. SpaceX says it is looking into the problem and has […]