LeoSat Enterprises, with plans to launch a constellation of up to 108 LEO satellites,has announced the firm has been invited by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to respond to their Request for Information (RFI) for broadband data communications requirements in the South Pole and throughout the Antarctic continent.
Data communication to and from the Polar regions is challenging and expensive. Building cable networks is hardly feasible from an economic perspective and satellite connections using the traditional GEO arc come at low speed, high costs and operational challenges. For bulk data there is no viable solution and all too often the data needs to be physically carried out to its destination. For research communities this causes serious delays and additional costs.
NSF is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. Under a Presidential mandate, NSF manages the U.S. Antarctic Program, through which it coordinates all U.S. research on the Southernmost Continent and the surrounding ocean, funds scientists at institutions nationwide to carry out fieldwork and provides the logistical support for that fieldwork.
While the NSF’s two RFIs have been out for some time and suspense dates have passed, NSF has continued its market research information gathering for formulating its plans. Having noted the public announcements by LeoSat, NSF has reached out to LeoSat with a request to respond to the the RFIs to allow LeoSat’s information to be included in NSF’s planning. With the LeoSat network, the satellites will be placed in polar orbits, making the Antarctic region one of the best served regions in the world with fiber-like speeds and low latency.
When fully operational, LeoSat will provide point-to-point data connections to and from anywhere on earth without the need for any terrestrial landings or transport. The data will be able to travel in its native form while encrypted and secured from end to end. LeoSat has completed a feasibility study with Thales Alenia Space for its constellation design and deployment and is currently working with them on the next phase of development.
Dawdle Not... SmallSat Symposium Dates Set For 2017
Within the smallsat community, those who hesitate in preparing and planning their next business moves within such a dynamic environment could well be "left behind."
To assist in acquiring the knowledge and expertise to enter and/or continue the acquisition of technology and product to become a successful smallsat actor, Satnews Publishers is delighted to announce that the SmallSat Symposium workshops will be held on February 6 and the conference will be conducted from February 7 to February 8, 2017, at the Computer History Museum, which is located at 1401 North Shoreline Boulevard in Mountain View, California.
A veritable "Who's Who" of subject-matter experts have already committed to presentations during this impact-filled symposium... the accepted speakers to date include...
- Chad Anderson, Managing Director Space Angels Network
- Jason Andrews, CEO Spaceflight Industries David A. Anhalt, Vice President and General Manager Iridium PRIME
- Chris Baugh, President NSR - Northern Sky Research
- Peter Beck, CEO & CTO Rocket Lab
- Dr. Sami BenAmor, Director of Marketing Thales Alenia Space
- John Booher, Partner Hogan Lovells
- Dr. Sean Casey, Managing Director Silicon Valley Space Center
- Carissa Christensen, Managing Partner The Tauri Group
- Craig Clark, Founder Clyde Space Ltd.
- Mike Collett, Founder and Managing Partner Promus Ventures
- James Crawford, Founder and CEO Orbital Insight
- Randy Culver, CEO AMERGINT Technologies
- Stuart Daughtridge, Senior VP Advanced Technology Kratos
- Dr. Lars Dyrud, CEO OmniEarth
- Dr. Shahin Farshchi, Partner Lux Capital
- Dr. Jenny Gautier, Director of Commercial Programs The Aerospace Corporation
- Dr. Steve Goldberg, CEO & Co-Founder Venrock
- David Hartshorn, Secretary General GVF - Global VSAT Forum
- Susan J. Irwin, President Irwin Communications, Inc.
- John P. Janka, Partner Latham & Watkins LLP
- Adam Keith, Managing Director Euroconsult Canada
- Debra Facktor Lepore, VP and GM of Strategic Operations Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp
- Tony Lin, Counsel, Washington, DC Hogan Lovells
- Dr. Clare Martin, Vice President of Programs Surrey Satellite Technology US
- Clayton Mowry, President Arianespace
- Carlos Niederstrasser, Business Development & Special Initiatives Orbital ATK
- Sunil Nagaraj, Vice President of Marketing and Communications Bessemer Venture Partners
- Dara A. Panahy, Partner Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
- Will Pomerantz, Vice President for Special Projects Virgin Galactic
- Dr. Alex Saltman, Senior Vice President GeoOptics Inc.
- Randy S. Segal, Partner, Co-Lead Satellite Practice Hogan Lovells
- David Strobel, CEO and Program Manager (PM) Space Micro
- Chris Stott, Chairman & CEO (PM) ManSat
- Tom Stroup, President SIA - Satellite Industry Association
- Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, Founder and Executive Chairman Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.
- Stig-Are Thrana, U.S. Sales Director and Head of Kongsberg Silicon Valley Office Kongsberg Satellite Services
- Dr. Joe Thurgood, Vice President Corporate Development and Marketing Hera Systems
- Dr. Marco Villa, President & COO Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems
- Tony Wilkey, Senior Vice President AvL Technologies
- Bruce Yost, Project Manager NASA Ames Research Center
- Louis Zacharilla, Director of Development Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI)
Here's some particularly good news for interested parties — the first 100 registrants will qualify for a $200 discount on the standard event admission... take advantage of this offer... don't dawdle... and register now at this direct link.