Archive for May, 2010
Lockheed Martin Realigns Commercial Space Systems Structure
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Space Systems has aligned its Commercial Space Systems unit within the company’s Global Communications Systems business, a new organizational structure designed to enhance synergies and efficiencies in providing advanced communications solutions to government and commercial customers around the globe.
As prime contractor for the world’s most advanced and secure defense communications systems serving the U.S. and allies around the globe, the Global Communications Systems (GCS) business leads the development of critical military satellite communications programs to support the future battlefield. These include the Advanced Extremely High Frequency program and the Mobile User Objective System, as well as on orbit support to the Defense Satellite Communications System III and Milstar systems. GCS is also leading the company’s pursuit of the Iridium NEXT program, leveraging its successful partnership with Iridium in building and launching the original constellation.
Commercial Space Systems (CSS) designs, builds, and operates turnkey satellite systems for commercial customers in the space-based telecommunications market. Commercial Space Systems has a backlog of satellites in production for customers including the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation of Japan and the recently awarded contract to build a second satellite for the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group. CSS has over 50 years of heritage in commercial communications satellites and currently supports 37 A2100 spacecraft on orbit.
Joseph M. Rickers has been named president for Commercial Space Systems in Newtown, Pa., providing executive leadership for new business capture and design, development, production, and on-orbit support of satellites and related systems for commercial customers worldwide. He succeeds Marshall Byrd, who is retiring after a 31-year career with Lockheed Martin.
“This integrated business reflects the significant synergy between our commercial and government programs,” informed Kevin Bilger, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of Global Communications Systems. “I am confident this alignment will provide added efficiency and generate better value for both our government and commercial satellite communications customers.”
During his 25-year career with Lockheed Martin, Rickers has progressed through a series of increasingly responsible positions, most recently serving as director of program management for Space Systems Company, working across its broad program portfolio. In prior leadership roles, Rickers held several positions with Commercial Space Systems including program director for the entire portfolio of commercial spacecraft programs.
“I am excited to return to Commercial Space Systems where I had established many relationships with commercial customers worldwide,” informed Rickers. “I want to personally thank Marshall Byrd for all he has achieved at Commercial Space Systems and I wish him the very best. With an excellent product in the A2100 spacecraft and an impressive record of mission success, we look forward to achieving additional efficiencies that benefit our commercial customers in the new Global Communications Systems organization.”
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs, producers and operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security and military, civil government and commercial customers. Chief products include human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation, meteorological, missile early warning, and communications satellites and instruments; space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; ballistic missiles; missile defense systems; and nanotechnology research and development.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, produce, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.
KVH Mini-VSAT Activated In Indian Ocean
Rhode Island-based KVH Industries has activated service in the Indian Ocean, Guam, and the waters north of Australia via the JCSAT-85 satellite. This leg of service means that KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband network now encircles the globe and provides uninterrupted service and coverage for vessels.
“The mini-VSAT Broadband service was planned as a global network from its inception when KVH and ViaSat entered into a multi-year agreement designed to revolutionize broadband service for the maritime market,” informed Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH’s chief executive officer, in a news release. “Following the activation of the Indian Ocean Region, I am proud to say that we offer a seamless, robust worldwide Ku-band network, unlike other maritime VSAT networks that claim global coverage even though they don’t have any significant satellite capacity leased in all regions. It is also worth noting that our Indian Ocean coverage is unique, extending well south of the Equator while other VSAT services in the region simply hug the Indian coastline.”
The Indian Ocean Region is the second network expansion supported through KVH’s arrangement with Sky Perfect JSAT, which is also supporting service in Japanese and Asian waters while selling the mini-VSAT Broadband service to Japanese flagged vessels under its new “Ocean Broadband” branded service.
Indian Navy Will Receive Military Satellite
Indian Navy will soon receive its naval communication and surveillance satellite by the year-end.
According to a news report in The Times Of India, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has fixed the ‘‘launch window’’ of the naval communication and surveillance satellite between December 2010 and March 2011.
“ISRO has assured us the naval satellite, with an around 1,000-nautical mile footprint over Indian Ocean, will be launched as slated. The project cost is Rs 950 crore. IAF and Army satellites will also follow in a couple of years,’’ the paper quoted a senior MoD official as saying.
India Navy is confident that the dedicated military satellite will surely help the force in improving its C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) capabilities.
The dedicated satellite will help Navy network all its warships, submarines and aircraft among themselves as well as with operational centres ashore through high-speed data-links.
“Maritime threats can then be detected and shared in real-time to ensure swift reaction,” informed the official.