Over and over, the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense, and industry are calling for “resilience” in the face of a contested space environment.
But how do you measure resilience? How do you test it? How do you even know when you have it, short of an actual conflict?
Winston Beauchamp, the DoD’s Deputy Undersecretary for […]
Good Question: How Do You Measure Resilience of Space Assets? Read More »
The Air Force Air Superiority 2030 Flight Plan is about speed, but not necessarily measured in terms of exceeding the sound barrier.
It’s about how fast potential adversaries are closing in on Air Force capabilities which have allowed the United States to maintain air superiority for decades. The plan defines air superiority as being achieved “when
Speed Is Answer to Air Force Concern About the Future in Space Read More »
Recently, I wrote about the push to improve Air Force Space Command’s Enterprise Ground Services (EGS). EGS is not a new kind of ground system or acquisition program – it’s a new approach to satellite ground infrastructure critical to supporting General John Hyten’s overall concept for the future Space Enterprise Vision.
Space has been called this
How to Improve Enterprise Ground Services for Space Read More »
Don’t let the clear skies in the photo fool you. Switch, Inc., a customer of Intelsat, was on site at the recovery center near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, where a raging fire displaced more than 80,000 people since it sparked on the first of May.
As the smoke began to clear, the still smoldering fire appeared
How Satellite Can Provide an Essential Lifeline Read More »
While Gen. John Hyten’s “Commander’s Strategic Intent” is meant to offer a roadmap of the future for the 22,000 airmen and 9,000 civilians of Air Force Space Command, that’s hardly its limit.
The General’s priorities: “Win today’s fight”, “Prepare for tomorrow’s fight,” along with “taking care of our Airmen and our Families” are definitely applicable to
Hyten’s Commander’s Strategic Intent – We’re All In Space Together Read More »
As a retired Army Signal Officer, I understand how critical satellite connectivity is to accomplishing the mission. I’ve also experienced how frustrating bandwidth constraints can be in the field. And, unfortunately I’ve been in many one-way “discussions” with commanders and senior leadership when communications aren’t operating properly.
When I was on active duty, I couldn’t wait
Testing Confirms Intelsat Epic Delivers a Whole New Ballgame Read More »
By Todd Schilb, Senior Program Manager, Space Systems Acquisition
Just days ago, a meeting of the State Commission here in Kazakhstan convened to authorize the transfer of the ILV to the launch pad. Eric Eller, launch vehicle manager from SSL (the manufacturer of the satellite) and I addressed the head representative of the committee to provide
Intelsat 31 Launch: All Systems are Go! Read More »
Television news and the Internet delivered thousands of images earlier this month of the gigantic firestorm that ravaged the Canadian province of Alberta. The entire population of Ft. McMurray, over 80,000 people, were evacuated as the fire bore down on their city.
Over 1,000 firefighters fought the fire around the clock, supported by more than 100
Satellite Assists in Canadian Fire Disaster Read More »
By Todd Schilb, Senior Program Manager, Space Systems Acquisition
Hello from Baikonur! All systems are GO for the launch of Intelsat 31 on Wednesday, 8 June. Those of us on site at the Cosmodrome have been working for several days now on the combined operations.
We concluded the standalone effort of the spacecraft with the fueling process.
Intelsat 31 Launch: Combined Operations Underway Read More »
The latest in special operations strategy and technology were on display last week at the 2016 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC). Held in Tampa, Florida, the overall theme of the event was “Evolving the Network to Counter Emerging Threats.” This made perfect sense, considering the degree to which effective special operations depends on maintaining
Special Operations and ISR – An Inseparable Pair Read More »
High-throughput satellite (HTS) systems are poised to transform the future of aviation, delivering incredibly fast speeds that make it possible for airlines to meet growing passenger connectivity demand and improve aircraft efficiency to minimize delays, ensure faster turnaround times and transform the overall travel experience.
Airlines are concerned, rightfully so, about whether they’re making the right
Tough Questions Airlines Should Ask Before Making Connectivity Commitments Read More »
“Technically acceptable” is a logical standard for procuring items like printers and laptops. However, it could certainly be argued that such a minimal standard may not be appropriate for technology the DoD needs to rely on in space. Potential adversaries like China and Russia are threatening U.S. superiority in space, and we should respond with technology
LPTA Inappropriate for Space Capability Procurement Read More »
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announcement of a Robotics Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) program in March is an important step towards extending the productivity of America’s space assets. DARPA is looking for a public-private partnership with the commercial space industry that would make robotic in-orbit servicing available to both military and commercial
Public/Private Model Would Make DARPA’s On-Orbit Service Capability a Reality Read More »
Although children’s books and animated films often depict them frolicking together, penguins and polar bears actually occupy opposite ends of the earth. Polar bears are found in the far northern latitudes, while penguins occupy the world’s southern oceans and land masses. But Intelsat General customers enjoy satellite connectivity provided by facilities at both ends of
Ensuring Satellite Connectivity No Matter What the Location or Climate Read More »
By Brian Sing, Senior Program Manager, Space Systems Acquisition
The launch mission for Intelsat 31, which features the DLA-2 Ku-band payload for DIRECTV Latin America, is well underway here at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Many of you know how historical Baikonur is. It was here the first satellite, Sputnik, and the first human, Yuri Gagarin, were
Intelsat 31 Launch: The Baikonur Cosmodrome Read More »
Few who follow Congress were surprised recently when Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) stepped up quickly to co-sponsor the American Space Renaissance Act.
The bill, authored by Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), sets out an ambitious program to secure the United States’ position as the world’s most prominent and powerful space-faring nation. The bill encompasses national security, along
Lamborn Joins as Sponsor of Space Renaissance Act Read More »
The value the U.S. Department of Defense places on space was apparent last year in standing up the Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center (JICSpOC) as the first working element of the department’s Third Offset Strategy.
After all, much of the Third Offset is being driven by the Pentagon’s Better Buying Power 3.0, according to John
How the Marriage of Third Offset, Better Buying Power Affects Industry Read More »
By Brian Jakins, Regional Vice President, Africa
It’s no understatement to say the infrastructure of Africa is complicated. The continent’s topology, economics and regulatory environments vary by country and region – which is no minor detail with 52 countries and thousands of different ethnic groups across the continent. As a result, serving the disparate needs of
Three Ways the Globalized Network will Connect Businesses and Communities in Africa Read More »
Advances in information technology and communications continue to spur economic growth around the world, but they also highlight a growing disparity between the haves and have-nots. According to the Internet.org Report on Global Internet Access, 4.1 billion of the world’s citizens are unconnected. In developing countries, there is a huge divide between the well-connected urban
Broadband: Bridging the Digital Divide Read More »
It’s an exciting time to become President of Intelsat General Corp. – a time of challenges and opportunities, and a time that includes a great new asset to help meet both: the high-throughput Intelsat EpicNG constellation of satellites.
The most important aspects of the job do not change, no matter who occupies the seat. We want
IGC Team Will Continue on the Same Path Read More »
