Milsat News and Products of Note

Craig Weston is President and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Space, LLC, a U.S.-owned provider of dedicated, commercial space solutions to serve the interests of the nation and its coalition partners and commercial enterprises worldwide. He also holds these same positions with ViviSat LLC, a joint venture dedicated to life extension of on-orbit satellites, and U.S. Space Mobile Communications LLC, a joint venture that provides end-to-end mobile satellite communications solutions. Previously, he was Vice President and Deputy Director of a business unit with SRA International, a $1.5 billion information technology and services company based in Fairfax, Virginia.

Satellite interference is a huge problem in this industry and affects a whole plethora of different users across various sectors of this extremely diversified business. The military is no exception and is the one area where fixing the problem of satellite interference is the most crucial, as it can, and often does, jeopardize vital operations.

“In this century, I have bounced sensitive whispers off the moon, and guided manmade moons in orbit around our Earth . For the first time ever, I have cupped my ears and listened to satellites. My far reaching voice can now reach across the vast expanse of space. I can guide rockets and missiles ... I can do that and more. I am the Signal Corps...” Sgt. 1st Class Samuel A. Barnes , 1976

According to recent declassified documents, President Reagan commended GE employees for their work on a secret spy satellite. In September of 2011, the world at large learned that some 250 GE engineers and manufacturing workers were honored by a U.S. president. That president was Ronald Reagan and his presidential commendation took place 27 years ago, in August of 1984. That satellite is now on display at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center and is one of 20 such satellites that were launched between 1971 and 1986.

To put Martin Coleman’s article into context, consider the following hypothetical, but realistic, scenarios

For decades governments have relied on the commercial satellite industry to provide critical communications services from disaster relief, to humanitarian assistance and combat operations. Today more than 75 percent, and at times as much as 93 percent, of current government needs for satellite communications are being met by the commercial satellite industry — it is forecasted that the trend will most likely continue.

Advantech Wireless ATK Spacecraft Systems & Services Comtech AeroAstro Elbit Systems, Shiron SatCOM Business Harris CapRock Communications Hughes Defense & Intelligence Systems iDirect Government Technologies Intelsat General

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions—Integral Systems • KVH Industries Newtec Segovia SkyWave Mobile TeleCommunication Systems USSecurenet Vizada