[SatNews] This allows an operator to have real-time and continuous access to satellite telemetry and data using a secure Internet connection with no dedicated ground segment.

COM DEV Europe Ltd, a subsidiary of space hardware manufacturer COM DEV International (TSX: CDV), today announced that the SB-SAT (Swift Broadband for Satellites) terminal that it is developing in partnership with Inmarsat and Moog Inc., has successfully communicated over the air to the Geostationary (GEO) Inmarsat-4F3 satellite.

SB-SAT is designed to fly on LEO (low earth orbit) spacecraft and provide real-time and continuous access to the ground via the Inmarsat BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) system. A key milestone is proving the two-way communications link from the terminal to the GEO spacecraft while ensuring that there is no interference with other users. For the test, a photograph was beamed up to the Geostationary Inmarsat-4F3 spacecraft from the Moog Broad Reach site in Golden, Colorado and then accessed from the Inmarsat Ground Network via the Internet.

COM DEV Europe's satellite terminal passes an important milestone in completing inter-satellite communication link (CNW Group/Com Dev International Ltd.).

The terminal is designed to cope with the space environment and also the high velocities associated with LEO spacecraft while acting as a "standard" BGAN terminal. The major advantage of the system is that it utilises the established and well-proven Inmarsat ground network. This allows an operator to have real-time and continuous access to satellite telemetry and data using a secure Internet connection with no dedicated ground segment.

"Approving a BGAN terminal for space use is a complex process and the transatlantic team of COM DEV Europe, Moog and Inmarsat have worked hard to prove that it can operate on the network without interfering with other users," said Rob Spurrett, Managing Director of COM DEV Europe. "This major milestone provides confidence that the SB-SAT technology is mature and with flight units being available in 2014, we look forward to completing the development and getting a first flight opportunity to prove the utility of 24/7 communications with LEO spacecraft for many different applications."

COM DEV Europe (CDE) is a designer and manufacturer of space hardware subsystems. Founded in 1985 and based in Aylesbury, United Kingdom, CDE supplies complex equipment, technology solutions and subsystems for space applications with equipment supplied on over 85 space programs. Its customer base includes all the major space satellite providers as well as government institutions.

Moog Inc. is a worldwide designer, manufacturer, and integrator of precision control components and systems. Moog high-performance systems control military and commercial aircraft, satellites and space vehicles, launch vehicles, missiles, automated industrial machinery, wind energy, marine and medical equipment. Additional information about the company can be found at www.moog.com. Moog Broad Reach business unit, part of the company's Space and Defense Group, develops hardware and software for spaceflight missions. Products include spacecraft avionics, science payload electronics, communications transceivers, GPS receivers for precision orbit determination and occultation science, spacecraft flight software, ground control software, and mission simulation systems. Learn more at.

Inmarsat plc provides global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centers of commerce on every continent.