Jeff Hill Conference Chairman
Q&A with Via Satellite's New Satellite Executive of the Year Award Winner - Stephane Israel, CEO, Arianespace

You completed an impressive 12 missions in 2015, 11 missions in 2016 and are set for another remarkable 12 missions in 2017. How do you see the trend of activity in 2018 and beyond?

Arianespace should maintain a sustained operational activity in the coming years with an order book composed of 54 launches for 31 customers (as of 13/02/2017): 20 Ariane 5, 8 Vega and 26 Soyuz, including a bulk of 21 launches ordered in 2015 for the OneWeb constellation project. There is no doubt that 2018 will also be very busy for Arianespace!

Are there certain factors or conditions that prevent Arianespace from launching even more missions? With its current capability, how many missions could Arianespace conceivably launch in a year without any delays?

Our infrastructure, teams and industrial processes are scaled to be able to operate, on average, 12 annual launches from the CSG, with a target of… Read More»

We are pleased to confirm the speaker line-up for the SGx Keynote Series at SATELLITE 2017! SGx, which takes place from 9am to 5pm on Monday, March 6, is a series of short and informal TEDx-style talks, during which speakers share their inspirations and passions for space with an audience of SATELLITE attendees and young professionals. The event is produced by our partners at SGAC and the Future Space Leaders Foundation, and sponsored by Ball Aerospace and Blue Origin. For more information on the event, visit the SGx portal on the SATELLITE 2017 website.

SGx speakers include leading satellite industry professionals such as:

• Debra Facktor Lepore, Vice President and General Manager, Strategic Operations, Ball Aerospace
• Michele Franci, CTO, Inmarsat Global, Ltd.
• Bruno Fromont, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Asset Management, Intelsat
• Paul Graziani, CEO, Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI)
• Aaron Lewis, Vice President, Corporate Communications & Government Relations,… Read More»

Only 12 Booths Left at SATELLITE 2017!

The SATELLITE 2017 show floor is well on its way to being sold out. With only 12 booths remaining, this may be your last chance to display your latest technologies in front of more than 14,000 satellite and space professionals from all end-user markets.

To reserve your space, simply complete, sign and email your exhibit space contract to Michael Cassinelli at [email protected] or fax to +1 (301) 576-5831.

Have questions about exhibiting? Contact Michael Cassinelli at +1 (301) 354-1691 or [email protected] today to discuss the best place for your company on the show floor!

Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) Hall of Fame Dinner 

Tue. March 7th | 6:30 - 10:30 p.m.

The SSPI Hall of Fame recognizes the invaluable contributions of the visionaries who have transformed life on planet Earth for the better through satellite technology. Members of the Hall of Fame are recognized pioneers in communications, satellite-related aerospace, scientific research, or the development and delivery of applications for business, institutions and government via satellite. Join us in honoring leaders of our industry as SSPI inducts them in to the Satellite Hall of Fame!

Separate ticket purchase required. Please visit www.sspi.org for more details

Airbus-built SKY Brasil-1 satellite successfully launched by Ariane 5

Kourou, 15/02/2017 - SKY Brasil-1, a telecommunications satellite made by Airbus Defence and Space for AT&T/DIRECTV, was successfully launched from the space centre at Kourou, French Guiana, on an Ariane 5 rocket. It was the 77^th consecutive successful flight for Europe’s satellite launch vehicle.

SKY Brasil-1 is the 44th Eurostar E3000-based spacecraft built by Airbus Defence and Space and the second for DIRECTV. With a mass at launch of 6000 kg and spacecraft power of 16 kW, SKY Brasil-1 has two deployable solar array wings and a number of deployable and non-deployable antennas.

The spacecraft is 7.5m high and has a wing span 45m when the two solar array wings are deployed in orbit. SKY Brasil-1 has a double propulsion system: chemical for initial orbit raising and electric for keeping in station. It has been designed with a nominal lifetime of 15… Read More»

Bridenstine Defends Intervening In DARPA’s RSGS Program, OrbitalATK Sues
[Via Satellite 02-10-17] Rep. Jim Bridenstine defended intervening in the DARPA's Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) program because he didn’t want the program, and its potential commercial capability, to denigrate into the bitter feud that permeates the ULA versus SpaceX battle…

Inmarsat Completes First Satellite Test for European Aviation Network
[Via Satellite 02-07-17] The initial testing for the satellite connectivity portion of the European Aviation Network (EAN) is complete. According to Inmarsat, testing for the first Satellite Access Station (SAS) that will be part of EAN has been completed in Greece…

SolAero Technologies to Invest $10 Million in Satellite Solar Panel Production
[Via Satellite 02-07-17] SolAero Technologies announced a $10 million program investment to augment its existing solar panel production capabilities, just months after Airbus OneWeb Satellites selected the company to supply solar panels for its constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites…

It’s Official: Planet Will Acquire Terra Bella, Signs Data Contract with Google
[Via Satellite 02-06-17] Planet officially announced it will acquire Google’s Terra Bella business including the SkySat constellation of satellites. As part of the deal, Google will enter into a multi-year contract to purchase Earth-imaging data from Planet…

Analysts’ Predict Difficult Year Ahead for Thaicom
[Via Satellite 02-06-17] Thaicom is facing an uphill struggle in 2017 in its satellite business as it looks to rebound from a difficult 2016 where it saw falls in overall profits and revenues. The operator, one of Asia’s largest, announced its full year results…