Arianespace readying first launch for 2013

Commercial launch service provider Arianespace is readying for its first launch on 2013 with the heavy-lift flight scheduled for February. According to reports, the France-based company is already assembling the heavy lifter that will be carrying the Amazonas 3 and Azerspace/Africasat-1 telecommunications satellites.

Arianespace is already working on the rocket at the Spaceport’s Launcher Integration Building and is also in the process of equipping the vehicle with the cryogenic upper stage and vehicle equipment bay. The Amazonas 3 will be operated by the Brazilian company Hispasat’s subsidiary, Hispamar Satellites. The vessel was built by SS/L.

On the other hand, the Azerspace/Africasat-1 was built by the Orbital Sciences Corporation for the Azerbaijan state satellite operator Azercosmos. Reports indicate the communications satellite will be providing Ku and C band capacity across Central Asia, Europe, and Africa.

 

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Yahsat launches satellite broadband service in South Sudan

Abu Dhabi-based satellite company Yahsat is readying to introduce its YahClick broadband service to South Sudan that will deliver high-speed internet by satellite service across parts of the country cut of from fibre or fixed wireless services. Yahsat said it will be partnering with the local company RCS-Communication for the delivery of the wireless Internet service to a wider range of Sudanese.

South Sudan is the world’s youngest country and the government is looking for ways to upgrade its telecommunications network. The Internet is a crucial platform for progress and the nation’s government expects the new project from Yahsat will expand wireless Internet solutions at affordable rates.

YahClick is the first ka band-based satellite internet service in the African continent. The service is targeted at providing customers in far-flung regions broadband access. Yahsat is already training of VSAT technicians along with support staff for the introduction of the service in South Sudan.

 

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Eutelsat to deliver coverage of US Presidential Elections in Europe, ME

French-based satellite provider Eutelsat is mobilising three of its satellites to deliver broadcasting service and coverage of the US Presidential Elections in the Middle East and Europe. The company said that three satellites will be used for capacity by media outlets and broadcasters covering the international event.

Eutelsat 12 West A, Eutelsat 8 West A and Eutelsat 10A have all been booked - totalling 120 MHz of capacity - from November 2 to 9 to transmit live coverage of the presidential elections from across the Atlantic to TV stations in Europe and the Middle East. Some of the clients that will utilize satellite capacity are TIMA, Telenor, Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, and Arqiva.

Prior to the presidential elections, Eutelsat also provided satellite capacity during the London Olympics, elections in Greece and France, as well as the UEFA Euro 2012. The company’s booking centre manages the allocation of satellite capacity to be used for coverage of sporting, political, and other live events.

 

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US Department of Defense picks SpaceCom

Israel-based satellite communications provider SpaceCom announced today that it has been awarded contracts by DRS Technical Services Inc., to deliver satellite communications services to the US Department of Defense. The DoD will be receiving satellite communications capabilities via SpaceCom’s Amos-5 C band capacity, and Amos-3 for ku band capacity.

 

According to the Department of Defense, the satellite communications services will be used by soldiers being trained in Europe for their military operations in the Middle East. DRS will be integrating the camp communications services, including those backhauled to satellites over teleports. DRS has been providing the necessary fixed satellite service bandwidth to on the ground military personnel through its comprehensive platform. The new contract supports a range of communications services - mobile user terminals, telephony, and video applications - used by members of the US Armed Forces.

 

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The truth about Ka Band?

Is Ka band really the logical step forward? And is it truly any better than the Ku band frequency?

 

Well, a study by a team from Panasonic Avionics Corporation, revealed that the difference between the two bands isn’t based on the size of the frequence rather in the use of spot beam size. At present, Ku band has been the preferred choice when it comes to Fixed Satellite Service or FSS. Many operators lease satellite bandwidth in Ku. But with the C band and Ku band heading towards saturation, operators are now turning towards Ka band and offering them for its high-throughput qualities.

 

Based on the study, however, Ka band succeeded in offering higher capacity because of its use of spot beams and not because of the frequency of operation. Ka band has delivered more because of custom-designed satellites and its use of multiple spot beams. According to the report from Panasonic, the Ku band can equal and even exceed Ka Band using similarly sized spot beams.

 

The study, however, was a report to correct the wrong notion of the frequency bands used in the satellite industry today rather than pinpoint which frequency is better. Many operators are utilizing Ka, Ku, and C-band altogether, and over the years, its been crucial for the growth of the industry to optimize the use of all frequency bands for continued success.

 

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