Space Business Review October 2015

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...