Home >> March 2016 Edition
March 2016 Edition
New + Advanced Technologies
 
Dispatches
 
Dispatches Part I, Information & News, by the Editors
Milsat News and Products of Note
 
Dispatches Part II, Information & News, by the Editors
Milsat News and Products of Note
 
Dispatches Part III, Information & News, by the Editors
Milsat News and Products of Note
 
Dispatches Part IV, Information & News, by the Editors
Milsat News and Products of Note
Features
 
Ensuring U.S. Leadership in Space, For nearly 60 years, US government and private sector investments in space programs have been critical to our nation and the world
The space environment is a unique and critically important domain for our nation’s vital interests. With innovative platforms and satellite systems, space is an economic sphere and a high ground used for purposes of observation, communication, command and control, and positioning, navigation, and timing. The microgravity environment of space is critical for important research and production activities that could not be duplicated on Earth. Space also offers a frontier to explore and inspire and to ensure the survival, advancement, and expansion of our civilization and values.
 
What Fiber In The Sky Means To The Warfighter Today, By Mike Blefko, Strategic Initiatives, SES Government Solutions
Back in 1995, Newsweek published an article on “Why the Internet will fail.”—I’d like to share an excerpt from that article with you:
 
The DoD Depends On The Evolution Of Commercial Satellite Technology, By Skot Butler, President, Intelsat General
Space technology and spacecraft innovation are hot topics of discussion among America’s venture capital investors, Silicon Valley firms, and Department of Defense (DoD) planners.
 
Command Center: Peter Hadinger President U.S. Government Business Unit, Inmarsat, Inc., President U.S. Government Business Unit, Inmarsat, Inc.
Peter Hadinger is responsible for all U.S. government sales and programs for Inmarsat. He has overseen the government-side of the launch of Global Xpress, the first ever-commercial Ka-band network that spans the world; creating a system that has also ushered in an era of expanded, MILSATCOM-compatible global mobile satellite communication capabilities and services.
 
An SSL Perspective: Dragonfly Innovation Underway, By Matteo Genna, Chief Technology Officer, SSL
SSL is a leading provider of commercial satellites and innovative space-based systems—the company is also the only US manufacturer with the ability to incorporate robotics technologies proven on the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station, and the Mars lander and Mars rovers, into its world leading satellite platform. 
 
When Disaster Strikes..., By Tony Bardo, Assistant Vice President, Government Solutions, Hughes, + Senior Contributor
Events such as Hurricane Katrina and SuperStorm Sandy demonstrated the importance of improving the emergency communications infrastructure at every level of government.
 
A Spectra Perspective: As Tensions increase, By Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group (UK) Ltd.
Military operations now can depend heavily on effective satellite communications with personnel based in remote and challenging environments, and where this is the only feasible way to communicate.
 
The HPA Corner: Hosted Payloads For Weather Monitoring, By Todd Gossett, Senior Director, Hosted Payloads, SES Government Solutions
In recent years, both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) have experienced acquisition issues with weather satellites which have resulted in schedule delays, cost overruns and the cancellation of already- or nearly-built satellites and sensors.
 
Product Focus: iDirect Government’s Nexgen Modems, By Trisha Kinman, Director, Product Management, iDirect Government
The Department of Defense (DoD) and government agencies have long relied on technology advancements in military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) to operate smarter and more effectively.
 
Focus: Lockheed Martin Is Shrinking The Telescope, In order to shed pounds on future telescopes, scientists are taking a new look at a technique called interferometry.
Since Galileo first started gazing at the stars atop a mountain in Italy, to modern-day astronomers who can see billions of miles into space, the general design of a telescope has pretty much remained the same.
 
GovSat Insights: The Role of COMSATCOM In Operations, By Ryan Schradin, Executive Editor, GovSat Report (Sponsored by SES Government Solutions)
During the most recent SATCOM conference, Lt. Gen. John “Jay” Raymond addressed attendees as a keynote speaker and shared his vision and desire to realize a more collaborative and complimentary relationship between the military and commercial satellite communications providers.
 
A Newtec Perspective: Five Steps Toward Efficient Peacekeeping Operations, By Koen Willems, Market Director, Government + Defense, Newtec
Peacekeeping, conflict or crisis management missions operate in the most dangerous and difficult environments in the world. 
 
A Harris Caprock Perspective: Space Segment Management Optimizations, Harris CapRock provides managed communication services to the energy, government, and maritime markets
Harris CapRock Communications provides managed communications services in remote and harsh locations for energy, maritime and government customers.
 
Product Focus: The COTM COBRA From EM Solutions, By Dr. Rowan Gilmore, CEO and Managing Director, EM Solutions Pty Ltd.
Satellite Communications-On-The-Move (COTM) terminals that offer communications anywhere, anytime, while moving, have now become fairly commonplace and they range in size from tens of centimeters to several meters.
 
Saving Energy + Space In C4ISR Earth Terminal + Teleport Facilities, By Tom Phelps, Vice President of Engineering, Quintech Electronics & Communications, Inc.
In today’s environment, C4ISR organizations continue to face ever-increasing demands for bandwidth and data processing. The need for increasingly complex and evolving interconnection for the global community is driving the proliferation of increased data transmission and RF communications. 
 
Driving Electric Propulsion In NexGen Satellites, By Bryan Reid, Director, Business Development, International Markets, Marotta Controls, Inc.
A unique Multi-Function Valve made a big difference in the GOCE mission, optimizing thrust control that improved the performance and extended the life of the mission.
 
Product Focus: Comtech Xicom.... An Efficient X-Band BUC, By Heidi Thelander
Comtech Xicom’s new XTSLIN-20X-B1 block upconverter (BUC) packs a tremendous amount of power into a 5.5 lb box—more than ever seen previously at X-band.
 
Product Focus: ND SatCom... An Innovative Solution For Advanced Comms, By Volker Jarsch, Director, Satcom Solutions, ND SatCom
Is significant innovation still possible in the field of military communications? Isn’t it sufficient for a DoD to have one or more anchor stations in their home country and each connects to a bunch of terminals in the mission area?
 
Enabling Low Cost Access To space By Leveraging Propulsive ESPAs, By Christopher Loghry, Space Systems Engineer, Moog, Inc.
Moog has been supporting the space industry since the 1950s and the company has a rich history in many critical spacecraft and launch vehicle components and systems.
 
The Onus Of Security Is A Shared Responsibility, By Dan Fallon, Director, Federal Systems Engineers, Nutanixv
After a spate of data breaches compromised over 6.6 million records from the U.S. Postal Service to the White House, media outlets dubbed 2014 “The Year of the Data Breach.”
 
“Essential Infrastructure” Includes Space Infrastructure, By Elliot Pulham, Chief Executive Officer, Space Foundation
The 2016 U.S. presidential election is far from over, and the subject of national infrastructure will no doubt continue to pop up in debates and whistle stops between now and November.
Advertiser Index
 
Advertiser Index, An Alphabetical Review of our Advertiser Sponsors
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