Space

DigitalGlobe, a Maxar Technologies subsidiary company, announced on 9 November 2018 that it has mapped the entire continent of Australia at a unprecedented level of detail using the cutting-edge techniques of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and crowdsourcing.

The Chinese Air Force – officially called the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) - intends to expand its presence into space as part of its plan to become a “world-class force,” China's state-run media reported on 13 November 2018, quoting senior Chinese officers, and first reported outside of China by The Japan Times.

Hughes Network Systems LLC, a leading company in broadband satellite networks and services, announced on 12 November 2018 that three African telecom companies have selected the Hughes JUPITER™ System to power delivery of satellite broadband services for their customers. Botswana Telecommunications Corporation, Satcom Networks Africa Limited (SatCoNet), and a leading East African telecommunications company each chose the JUPITER System based on its high performance, operational efficiency, and better customer experience.

Arabsat, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, and Forsway Scandinavia AB, a global specialist in providing innovative satellite broadband solutions, have announced the deployment of affordable satellite broadband services across Africa under the new Arabsat Broadband package.

A far-reaching in-depth study, led by Nielsen, of television reception throughout Nigeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast, has positioned Eutelsat as satellite market leader within these countries. The face-to-face interviews were conducted with 3,000 households in Nigeria, 2,000 in Cameroun and 2,000 in Ivory Coast, representative of the population of the geographical area surveyed.

According to the 21st edition of its report Satellites to be Built and Launched over the Next 10 Years, Euroconsult anticipates that 3,330 satellites with a mass over 50 kg will be launched on average each year by 2027 for government agencies and commercial organizations worldwide.

Bangladesh has been given full control of its Bangabandhu-1 communications satellite after a handover ceremony where the satellite’s French manufacturer, Thales Alenia Space, provided the ‘Transfer of Title’ documents to Bangladeshi officials.

Intelsat S.A., operator of the world’s first Globalized Network and leader in integrated satellite solutions, has announced that Vodacom Mozambique has signed an agreement for a satellite solution that will provide 3G services that uniquely satisfy the growing data demand generated by the tourism sector.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, reported on 12 November 2018 its results for the third quarter ended 30 September 2018.

South Korean government agencies and universities have five payloads on board the upcoming SpaceX Falcon-9 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, United States. The launch is currently scheduled for 19 November 2018, and will loft approximately 60 satellites from numerous countries and companies.