- Avanti has announced the first deployment of broadband to Scottish households and businesses under the Scottish Government Broadband Reach Programme. On June 26th, Avanti was awarded the Scottish Executive's contract to deploy broadband to those areas of Scotland currently unable to make the best use of the Internet. The rollout program is now well underway and scheduled for completion in 2009. Avanti aims to use a mix of technologies (including satellite and wireless, depending on location and population density) to deliver a broadband solution to homes and businesses registered with the Scottish Government's Broadband Reach Programme.
- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has named Charlie Miller vice president of International Corporate Communications, reporting to Tom Downey, senior vice president of Communications, and Shep Hill, president of Boeing International. Miller will be based in London and lead Boeing's team of communications directors and outside agencies working in more than 30 key markets around the globe. He will oversee all communications activities for the company outside the United States, including media relations.
- Central Georgia Technical College and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company have established a partnership that will bring the aerospace giant's expertise to students and provide additional workforce opportunities to the company. A memorandum of understanding between the two groups was signed August 19th, the college announced Monday. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics will work with the college's Aircraft Structural Technology program, providing technical assistance and participating in outreach efforts to build enrollment in aerospace programs, according to a news release. The aerospace company currently is working with the Georgia-Robins Aerospace Maintenance Partnership to secure funding for an aircraft maintenance and overhaul facility near Robins Air Force Base, according to a college news release. If Lockheed is awarded the contract, the company will ensure a pipeline of workers will be available to meet future workforce needs, the news release stated.
-
The COMSYS VSAT2008 Conference, "Strategies for Sustained Growth," will be held at the Waldorf Hotel in London from September 22nd through the 25th. With more than a decade of experience in hosting world class events, the COMSYS VSAT Conference showcases the latest innovations and technologies within the industry. Topics presented by the conference include IPTV / IP, Hybrid DSL / VSAT network services, bandwidth efficiencies through DVB-S2, Mobile VSAT services, and GSM backhaul via satellite. If you are involved in the planning, design, specification or use of VSAT networks then this dedicated event is definitely for you. Industry leading speakers at this year’s event have specifically targeted key markets such as maritime, military, Ka-band, hybrid high-availability networks, and disaster recovery segments. Select the conference graphic for registration and additional information...
- Diversified Technical Systems, Inc. (DTS) has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant by the U.S. Air Force Research Lab at Eglin AFB. Under this grant ,DTS will further their Phase I development of next generation advanced programmable integrated data recorders for embedding in military assets. The $750K award has already commenced and will conclude by August 2010.
- GeoEye, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEOY) reported on August 19th, 2008, that the Company would not be able to timely file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Since then, the Company received a Nasdaq Staff Determination letter indicating that the Company failed to comply with the filing requirement for continued listing set forth in Marketplace Rule 4310(c)(14) and that its securities are subject to delisting from The Nasdaq Global Market exchange. The Company has filed a request for a hearing before a Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel to review the Staff Determination. Under NASDAQ's rules, a timely hearing request automatically stays the suspension and delisting of the Company's securities pending the Panel's decision. There can be no assurance, however, that the Panel will grant the Company's request for continued listing. The Company's filing of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 was delayed due to the timing of the Company's completion of a complex and detailed analysis of uncertain tax positions that prevented completion of the report in time. As previously reported, the Company said its filing would be delayed about two weeks. The Company expects to make this filing with the SEC shortly.
-
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) has now made available HughesNet Business Internet service plans. These are the fastest satellite Internet plans ever offered, bringing affordable, reliable, and high-performance broadband access to small- and mid-sized businesses (SMB) throughout the nation. HughesNet Business Internet plans have been specifically tailored to the SMB market complete with competitive pricing and flexible billing options. Customers can choose from seven plans, with speeds up to 1 Mbps on the uplink and up to 5 Mbps on the downlink, and are available to SMBs regardless of their location, which may be outside the reach of terrestrial cable and DSL providers. Select the logo for further details...
- ITT Corporation has announced Eric Webster has joined the Space Systems Division as vice president for government and industry partnerships. He will provide strategic planning and guidance to help ITT work more closely with federal agencies and industry partners to develop new business opportunities and strengthen existing relationships. Webster has more than 15 years of budget, policy, legislative and executive experience. He served as director at the Office of Legislative Affairs for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) following his appointment by President Bush in September 2005. He also served as a senior policy advisor to the NOAA administrator on satellite issues.
- Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB) has named two experienced executives to fill new roles in its Advanced Programs and Launch Systems Groups’ management teams. Mr. Frank L. Culbertson, Jr. has joined the company as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Manager of the Advanced Programs Group, based in Dulles, Virginia. Mr. Culbertson will be responsible for Orbital’s human spaceflight programs, including commercial transportation services to the International Space Station (ISS) and the Orion Launch Abort System. Orbital has also named Mr. Mark A. Pieczynski as Vice President of the company’s new Southern California Engineering Center in Huntington Beach, California. Mr. Pieczynski will oversee the technical support provided to Orbital’s various launch vehicle and space systems programs from the company’s newest facility, as well as being responsible for on-site staff management and development. In particular, Mr. Pieczynski will support the company’s strategic goal of evolving the new Huntington Beach engineering facility to be a center of excellence for liquid rocket propulsion.
- Space-Based Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Conference will take place from October 20th through the 21st in Arlington, Virginia, at the Hilton Arlington & Towers. There will be special presentations by the Deputy Under Secretary for Space Programs, U.S.A.F., the Honorable Gary Payton; the Deputy Commander, JFCC-SPACE & Deputy Director, Mission Support, NRO, BGEN Jeffrey Horne; and the Deputy for ISR Capabilities, Office of the Chief of Staff, U.S.A.F, BGEN Blair Hansen. There will be 20 leading experts involved to discuss critical programs, requirements and initiatives.
- Thrane & Thrane has published their interim report for the three months ended July 31, 2008. Revenue for the three months ended July 31, 2008, the first quarter of the financial year, rose sharply to DKK 296 million, up 18 percent on the same period of last year. The Company's largest segment, terminals, reported a 22 percent improvement, attributable to healthy growth in the U.S. and new markets, including Russia and China. The Company's operating profit at DKK 34 million was almost double last year’s figure (DKK 17 million), due to stronger sales as well as lower distribution costs and administrative expenses, and their operating margin was 11.4 percent (6.9 percent). The free cash flow for the period was DKK 30 million (DKK 47 million). For the 2008/09 financial year, the Company continues to expect revenues of around the level of DKK 1,300–1,325 million and an operating profit of around DKK 160–180 million. An operating margin of 13 percent is expected.
- Vislink plc (the ultimate parent company of Microwave Radio Communications) has announced the Company has reached an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the issued share capital of Pacific Microwave Research Inc. (“PMR”) PMR is a Vista, California, based developer of analog and digital microwave video transmission solutions for law enforcement, homeland security, and military applications. The acquisition of PMR is expected to complete before the end of September.
Satnews Daily
August 28th, 2008
ORBITZ

