UK: Satellite And Space Projects News - 28 August 2014

A digest of recent news from the satellite and space projects sector

Eutelsat: Eutelsat has announced plans for a triple mission satellite programme to support sustained demand for data, fixed and mobile broadband services and video in the Asia-Pacific region. Eutelsat's new high capacity satellite, EUTELSAT 172B, due for launch in 2017, will be positioned at 172° East and will host C-Band and regular Ku-band payloads, as well as a High Throughput Ku-band payload, the first to be customised for in-flight connectivity over the Pacific Ocean Region.

India: ISRO successful launch: On 30 June 2014, the Indian Space Research Organisation's Polar Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C23, took off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota. The launch vehicle was carrying a 714 kg French Earth Observation Satellite SPOT-7 as the main payload, together with satellites from Germany, Canada and Singapore.

Hispasat awards contract to SSL: Space Systems/Loral announced on 1 July 2014 that it has been selected to provide a multi-mission communications satellite to Spanish satellite operator, Hispasat Group. Hispasat 1F will replace Hispasat 1D at 30° West longitude and will be used for television, broadband, corporate networks and other telecommunications applications.

UK satellites launch: July has seen the launch of two UK satellites. UKube-1, the first satellite to be designed and built in Scotland, was launched on 8 July 2014 on board a Soyuz-2 launch vehicle from Kazakhstan. Supported by funding from the UK Space Agency, Clyde Space was responsible for the build and development of UKube-1. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd also announced the launch of TechDemoSat-1. Developed to help demonstrate state-of-the-art technology that small satellites can provide to the commercial and scientific communities, TechDemoSat-1 is also the first satellite to be controlled by the UK's Satellite Applications Catapult.

SES awards contract to Airbus Defence and Space: Airbus Defence and Space has won a contract to deliver a new hybrid communications satellite to SES. The satellite, SES-12, will be positioned at 95° East and will expand SES's capabilities to provide direct-to-home broadcasting, VSAT, Mobility and High Throughput Satellite data connectivity services in the Asia-Pacific region.

Shortlist of locations for UK Space Port: The shortlist for the location of the UK's planned Space Port was announced on 15 July 2014. The UK government has also launched a consultation, open until 15 October 2014, on the criteria for assessing the suitability of potential sites. The UK's Space Port is due to open in 2018 and will be used principally for satellite launches but could also potentially be used for space tourism.

Inmarsat appoints SpaceX: SpaceX is to provide launch services for Inmarsat's S-band satellite and up to two further missions, it was announced on 2 July 2014. The cost of the launch vehicle will be met jointly by Inmarsat and Hellas-Sat. This follows plans, announced in June 2014, for Inmarsat to deploy a wholly-owned S-band payload on a satellite jointly owned and funded by Hellas-Sat.

TeleKom appoints Thales: Thales Alenia Space announced on 22 July 2014 that it has signed a contract with communications service provider, Telekomunikas Indonesia TbK (Telkom) to build Telkom a new communications satellite. Telkom-3S will be positioned at 118° East and will be fitted with 24 C-band transponders and 8 extended C-band transponders, as well as 10 Ku-band transponders for the provision of HDTV and remote GSM/Internet services.

Russia - new US and EU sanctions: On 29 July 2014, the US Treasury announced additional sanctions against Russia. The new sanctions prohibit U.S. persons from providing new financing to three major Russian financial institutions, limiting their access to U.S. capital markets. The US Treasury has also designated and blocked the assets of United Shipbuilding Corporation for operating in the arms or related materiel sector in Russia. On 30 July, the European Council announced that it was expanding sanctions against Russia. Among the additional measures are further trade and investment restrictions for Crimea and Sevastopol, including a ban on new investment in the transport, telecommunications and energy sectors.

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