Leading mobile satellite services (MSS) operator Thuraya Telecommunications Company confirmed on 8 September 2016 that it has finalized its next generation constellation plans, and is set to deliver a unique, multidimensional program of expansion and diversification. Building on its strong track record for product innovation and convergence, lead positioning in …
Read More »Eutelsat estimates 50 million Euro loss with Amos-6 accident
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) regrets the loss of Spacecom’s AMOS-6 satellite following the launch pad explosion today of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in Cape Canaveral. In collaboration with Facebook, Eutelsat had contracted a multi-year agreement to lease the satellite’s Ka-band payload covering Sub-Saharan Africa, with a view to …
Read More »Challenges and Opportunities for a Kuwaiti Space Programme, Part I
As Kuwait considers its space future, SpaceWatch Middle East contributor Ghanim Alotaibi, a Kuwaiti engineer and Space Generation Advisory Council member, examines some of the challenges Kuwaiti leaders will have to address in the first of a series of articles that will be published in the coming weeks. Introduction Two years ago, a …
Read More »Israel’s Spacecom sale in jeopardy after SpaceX Falcon-9 explosion destroys Amos-6 payload
The sale of the Israeli commercial satellite communications company Spacecom to Chinese telecommunications company Beijing Xinwei Technology Group is now in jeopardy after Spacecom’s Amos-6 communications satellite was destroyed when a static engine test of a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket went wrong at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, United …
Read More »UAE’s Yahclick announces Virtual Network Operator Service for East Africa
YahClick, Yahsat’s satellite broadband service for home and business, announces its partnership with VT iDirect for the introduction of Virtual Network Operator (VNO) services across YahClick’s existing footprint. YahClick’s VNO offering is based on the industry changing capability in the VT iDirect Evolution® platform and allows service partners to purchase …
Read More »Turkish minister: Türksat 5A and 5B tender process to be completed within 2 months
The Turkish Minister of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communication, Ahmet Arslan, stated on 25 August 2016 that the tender period for Türksat 5A and Türksat 5B communication satellites will be completed in 1.5 – 2 months. He said, “At this year’s final quarter by drawing up contracts concerning Türksat 5A …
Read More »Israel’s Spacecom to be sold to Chinese group after launch of Amos-6
Shareholder’s of Israel’s Spacecom, operator of the Amos fleet of commercial communications satellites, announced on 24 August 2016 that they has agreed to sell the company for U.S.$285 million to Chinese telecommunications company Beijing Xinwei Technology Group Co. Ltd. It is believed that the sale will proceed, subject to Israeli …
Read More »Qatar’s Es’hail-2 launch delayed to 3rd Quarter of 2017
Qatar’s Es’hailSat has announced that it’s Es’hail-2 satellite will now be launched in the third quarter of 2017 rather than in December 2016 as originally planned. There has been no word as to why the launch date for Es’hail-2 has slipped by at least six months. Es’hail-2 will be launched …
Read More »Qatar’s Nakilat LNG and LPG ships to get SATCOM upgrade from Global Eagle Entertainment
Nakilat, the shipping arm of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas sector, has entered into a contract with Global Eagle Entertainment Inc.’s Emerging Markets Communications (EMC) service line to provide marine very-small aperture terminal (VSAT) services for vessels in its fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers. …
Read More »President Rouhani names new members to Iran’s Supreme Council of Space
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani appointed three new members to the Supreme Council of Space – the supreme space policy-making body in Iran – on 14 August 2016. The three individuals appointed to the Supreme Council of Space are Elham Aminzadeh, Mostafa Safavi-Homami and Hassan Shafti. Each appointment lasts for four …
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