EUTELSAT, FACEBOOK TEAM UP
On October 5, Eutelsat Communications S.A. (Eutelsat) and Facebook, Inc. (Facebook) announced an initiative to promote Internet access in Africa using satellite technologies. The companies entered into a multi-year agreement with Space-Communication Ltd. (Spacecom) to share access to the entire broadband payload on the AMOS-6 satellite, being manufactured for Spacecom by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (payload supplied by MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.), to develop a dedicated communications system, including gateways and terminals, that will provide broadband services to Sub-Saharan users located beyond the range of fixed and mobile terrestrial networks.
OCTOBER LAUNCH SERVICES
October 2 – In a mission that was procured for Mexico's Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes by Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, United Launch Alliance successfully launched the Morelos-3 satellite on an Atlas V launch vehicle. Manufactured by Boeing Satellite Systems International Inc., Morelos-3 is part of the Mexsat constellation, which provides communications services for the Mexican government and users in rural areas.
October 17 – A Long March 3B/E launch vehicle successfully orbited the APSTAR-9 satellite for APT Satellite Company Limited. Manufactured by China Great Wall Industry (Hong Kong) Corp. Ltd., APSTAR-9 is equipped with 32 C- and 14 Ku-band transponders and will replace the APSTAR-9A satellite to provide telecommunications and broadcasting services to customers throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
October 19 – ILS International Launch Services Inc. successfully launched the TURKSAT 4B satellite for Türksat Uydu Haberleşme Kablo TV ve İşletme A.Ş. on a Proton launch vehicle. Manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, TURKSAT 4B will provide telecommunications and DTH broadcasting services to users in Turkey, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
OCTOBER LAUNCH SERVICES ORDERS
On October 30, ILS International Launch Services Inc. announced that it was selected by Eutelsat Communications S.A. to perform several launches from 2016 to 2023, each using the Proton launch vehicle, beginning with launch of the EUTELSAT 9B satellite, currently being manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space.
ORBCOMM BUYS WAM TECHNOLOGIES
On October 6, ORBCOMM Inc. (ORBCOMM) announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of WAM Technologies LLC, a leading provider of remote wireless management and control solutions for ocean transport refrigerated containers. The acquisition will expand the scope of ORBCOMM's cold chain monitoring business to include sea container customers and will advance ORBCOMM's strategic aim to lead the market in cargo shipment monitoring.
OCTOBER SATELLITE ORDERS
October 17 – APT Satellite Company Limited announced that it selected China Great Wall Industry (Hong Kong) Corp. Ltd. to manufacture and deliver in-orbit the APSTAR- 6C satellite based on the DFH-4 satellite platform. APSTAR-6C will be equipped with 45 transponders in C-, Ku- and Ka-bands and will provide VSAT, DTH and cellular backhaul services to users across the Asia-Pacific region.
October 20 – Space Systems/Loral, LLC announced that it was selected to manufacture the Azerspace 2/Intelsat 38 joint satellite for Azercosmos OJSC (Azercosmos) and Intelsat S.A. (Intelsat) based on the SSL 1300 satellite platform. The satellite will provide expanded capacity for DTH, government and network services in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Azerspace 2/Intelsat 38 will be positioned at the 45°E orbital location after launch in 2017.
October 27 –New York Broadband LLC (NYBB) announced that it selected Boeing Satellite Systems International Inc. to manufacture the Silkwave-1 satellite based on the 702 satellite platform. NYBB plans to lease capacity on the satellite to CMMB Vision Holdings of Hong Kong for the provision of mobile multimedia communications services in Asian markets. Silkwave-1 will occupy the 105 °E orbital location, where NYBB currently operates its AsiaStar satellite, following launch in 2018.
October 27 – Orbital ATK Inc. announced that it was selected by an undisclosed purchaser to manufacture a geostationary satellite based on the GeoStar 2 satellite platform.
October 28 – Eutelsat Communications S.A. announced that it selected Thales Alenia Space to manufacture an all-electric high throughput satellite based on the new Spacebus Neo satellite platform. The satellite will provide direct-to-user consumer and enterprise broadband services to Sub-Saharan Africa following launch in 2019.
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