Page 98 - SAMENA Trends - September 2019

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Universal Satcom Successfully Launches Broadband Internet Services in

Yemen on Badr 7 HTS Satellite

On the 1st of September 2019, Universal by the Badr 7 satellite footprint. The Ka through European Teleports.
Satcom DMCC out of Dubai, launched band payload on Badr 7 High Throughput About ARABSAT Badr 7 HTS
the latest high-speed satellite broadband Satellite (HTS) along with the terrestrial Badr 7 Satellite is a High Throughput
internet service under the brand “Universal infrastructure allow for the delivery of high- Satellite (HTS), with 24 Ka band spot
Satnet”. The service is currently operational speed Internet access with speeds as high beams over the Middle East, South
as a VNO solution using ARABSAT’s as 100Mbps on download and 20Mbps Asia, and Africa. Badr 7 Satellite was
Broadband & Managed Services on the on upload using very small size Customer manufactured by Airbus Defense & Space
Yemen ka-band spot beam and associated Premises Equipment (CPE). The service is with Thales Alenia Space and launched by
terrestrial infrastructure. Universal Satcom powered by cutting edge Newtec Dialog Ariane Space from French Guiana using
has future plans to rollout Broadband & platform and associated technologies and the Ariane 5 rocket and finally placed in the
Managed services in other markets covered providing Internet backbone connectivity orbital hotspot of 26° East.

Relativity Space to Launch Satellites for Momentus

Relativity Space signed a Launch Services scheduled for 2021, with options for five we look forward to working together to
Agreement (LSA) to launch Momentus’ additional launches with Relativity. The expand Terran 1’s flexibility and offering
small and medium satellite customers on agreement opens access to a more diverse beyond LEO, offering small and medium
Relativity’s Terran 1 rocket. Momentus range of orbits for Terran 1 including satellite launch opportunities with
will then deliver their customers’ Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), Lunar industry-defining lead time, flexibility, and
small and medium sized satellites to and deep space orbits, lower inclinations, cost,” said Tim Ellis, CEO and Cofounder
Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) using the and phasing of multiple spacecraft in Low- of Relativity. “This partnership will enable
Momentus Vigoride Extended in-space Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium-Earth Orbit us to build the space economy faster,
shuttle service. The agreement includes (MEO). “With Momentus’ innovations in and accelerate the future of humanity in
Momentus’ purchase of a first launch, sustainable in-space ‘last mile’ solutions, space.”

Satellite for the Russian Ministry of Defense Successfully Launched

The Russian Air and Space Forces successfully launched a Soyuz- to be launched by 2020. However, it should be noted that Russia
2.1b launcher from launch pad No. 4 of the launch complex No. does not depend on the space tier of its early-warning system
43 at the Plesetsk site. Official statements indicate the launcher to the extent the United States does, so the lack of coverage by
carried “a new-generation satellite for the ministry of defense.” satellite does not necessarily increase the risk of miscalculation.
The satellite is being delivered to the orbit by a Fregat-M booster.
The satellite is the second “Tundra” spacecraft of the new early-
warning system, known as EKS. The system is expected to
include satellites in Molniya-type, highly-elliptical orbit, as well
as geostationary satellites. It was designated Cosmos-2518. The
first satellite of the system, Cosmos-2510, was launched into an
HEO orbit in November of 2015. Cosmos-2518 appears to be an
HEO satellite as well — it was reported that the industry delivered
the first two HEO satellites in October of 2015 and that there was
a delay with the first GEO spacecraft. Satellites of the EKS system
are the only early-warning satellites that are currently in service.
The old US-KS/US-KMO system ended operations in 2014. A
working early-warning constellation would probably include about
ten satellites on HEO as well as several GEO satellites. The new
Russian armament program appears to call for ten new satellite

98 SEPTEMBER 2019