The new Space race For the majority of us, the thought of taking a trip into space is still well and truly science fiction. However, if you have the money available, a visit to the final frontier is absolutely possible. Helen Jameson explores how what was once science fiction is now rapidly becoming science fact.   Click here to read the full article

Impsat contracts capacity on NSS-10
SES NEW SKIES announced that Impsat, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Crossing, has contracted 90 MHz (equivalent to approximately 2.5 transponders at 36 MHz) on the company’s NSS-10 satellite at the orbital location of 322.5° East, in order to support Impsat’s growing Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC) and VSAT IP network in Latin America...

Technology transfer of new multi-beam antenna from CSIRO
Patriot Antenna Systems is pleased to announce the technology transfer and appointment of Patriot Antenna Systems of Albion, Michigan, as the international Licensee for the supply and manufacturing of CSIRO's MultiBeam Technology...

Satellite successfully deployed
SES ASTRA has announced that its new ASTRA 1L satellite has been successfully deployed to its final orbital position at 19.2° East and is ready for commercial operations...

SPACEWAY 3 is delivered to the Spaceport for its mid-August Ariane 5 launch
The first satellite for Arianespace's mid-August dual-payload mission with Ariane 5 is now at the Spaceport after landing at Cayenne's Rochambeau International Airport aboard a chartered cargo aircraft...

IPR at the heart of Vietnam pay-TV growth
The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) reaffirmed regional television industry support for the remarkable growth of the Vietnam pay-TV industry – recently at more than 50% per year. A high-level meeting of industry executives in Ho Chi Minh City praised the Government of Vietnam and domestic pay-TV operators for creating one of the most vibrant markets in Asia...

DataPath acquires SWE-DISH Satellite Systems AB
DataPath has completed its acquisition of SWE-DISH Satellite Systems AB, a Stockholm-based, global leader in the design and manufacture of portable and transportable satellite communications (SATCOM) systems...

Advent to take new FlyDrive satellite antenna and compact DVE5000 electronics to BIRTV
The FlyDrive is the latest in Advent's range - a hybrid antenna, which can be configured as a temporary vehicle-mount or flyaway configuration. Like Advent's popular Mantis range of flyaway antennas, the FlyDrive is compact and lightweight and can be packed into flight cases that meet the IATA regulations for baggage in the hold...

Global cathodic protection monitoring application relies on SkyWave D+
SkyWave Mobile Communications (www.SkyWave.com) the leading global provider of D+ satellite communications announces it has supplied NTG, Inc. of Olathe, Kansas with its reliable D+ terminals and network services for integration with their Pipeline WatchdogCP Remote Monitoring System. The system is designed for true remote monitoring and data collection of cathodic protection rectifiers, critical bonds and other energy industry sensors...

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visits ITU
UN Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki-moon visited ITU headquarters on Friday, 6 July during his visit to Geneva in connection with the high-level ECOSOC meeting and the Global Compact Summit. He brought a clear message of support to ITU, which he termed "one of the most powerful organizations in the UN system"...

Spacenet introduces new digital telephone service over satellite for business continuity and emergency response applications
Spacenet has introduced Connexstar Digital Phone, a carrier class telephone solution available as part of the company’s high-performance Connexstar satellite service. The new Digital Phone service enables customers to make clear digital telephone calls, in addition to receiving business class Internet access, and real-time video over the same high-performance satellite link...

ND SatCom delivers 50th SNG vehicle to GlobeCast
ND SatCom has announced the delivery of the 50th SNG (Satellite News Gathering) vehicle to broadcast service provider GlobeCast who supplies ND SatCom compactSNGs to broadcasters in France and Italy for live news and sports gathering. Whilst most of these vehicles have primarily been operated by French radio and TV stations, ND SatCom and GlobeCast now strengthen their cooperation for the Italian broadcast market...

Comtech Telecommunications receives $7.8 million in initial funding against a $10.4 million Blue Force Tracking Contract for its mobile satellite data communications transceivers
Comtech Telecommunications announced that its Maryland-based subsidiary, Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation, received a letter contract with a not-to-exceed ceiling value of $10.4 million for the latest version of its model MT-2011 mobile satellite data communications transceivers. Initial funding was set at $7.8 million, or 75 percent of the ceiling, based on Comtech’s submission of a qualified proposal. The contract is expected to be definitized and funded to its final negotiated ceiling prior to July 31, 2007...