Space Business Review a Monthly Round-Up of Space Industry Developments for the Information of Our Clients and Friends
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Space Business Review A monthly round-up of space industry developments for the information of our clients and friends. April 2014 ORBITAL AND ATK TO MERGE APRIL SATELLITE ORDERS On April 29, Orbital Sciences Corporation April 16 – Space Systems/Loral, LLC (SSL) (Orbital) announced that it entered into a announced that it was selected by SKY Perfect CONTACTS: definitive agreement with Alliant Techsystems JSAT Corporation to manufacture the JCSAT- Inc. (ATK) whereby Orbital will combine with 15 and JCSAT-16 communications satellites. Dara A. Panahy 202-835-7521 ATK’s Aerospace and Defense Groups to create a Scheduled for launch in 2016, both satellites will [email protected] $4.5b, 13,000 employee space, defense and be based on the SSL 1300 satellite platform and aviation systems developer and manufacturer. will be used to provide video distribution, data Bijan Ganji The transaction, valued at approximately $5b, transfer communications and back-up services to 202-835-7543 will be carried out as a tax-free stock-for-stock users in Japan and neighboring regions. [email protected] merger and will include the spin-off of ATK’s April 28 – SSL announced that it was selected Sporting Group, which focuses on commercial by PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk., sporting equipment, to its shareholders. The new Indonesia’s oldest and most profitable bank, to To learn about Milbank’s company will be called Orbital ATK, Inc. and manufacture the BRIsat satellite, the first Space Business Practice, or will serve both U.S. and international markets for satellite to be launched by a bank. BRIsat will be view previous issues of the space launch vehicles, propulsion systems, based on the SSL 1300 platform and equipped Space Business Review, tactical missiles and satellites and space systems, with C- and Ku-band transponders to provide please visit www.milbank.com. among other products. Analysts have noted that banking connection services throughout the merger, which advances Orbital’s desire to Indonesia from the 150.5°E orbital position. The information contained increase vertical integration across its product April 29 – SSL announced that it was selected herein is provided for lines, will produce cost synergies due to the fact by EchoStar Corporation to manufacture the informational purposes only and should not be construed that ATK is Orbital’s largest supplier. Analysts high-power, Ku-band EchoStar XXIII satellite. as legal advice on any subject also suggest that the complementary nature of Expected to be launched in 2016, EchoStar XXIII matter. Recipients of this Orbital’s and ATK’s product lines will enable the is designed to be capable of providing service publication should not take or new company to expand its product offerings and from any of 8 different orbital slots. refrain from taking any action enhance its market position. April 30 – According to press reports, Thaicom based upon content included Public Company Limited selected Orbital herein. If you do not wish to VIASAT AWARDED $283M IN PATENT SUIT Sciences Corporation to manufacture the all Ku- receive this newsletter, please On April 24, ViaSat Inc. (ViaSat) announced that band Thaicom 8 satellite for delivery in 2016. send an e-mail to a federal court jury awarded the company $283m [email protected] in damages in its patent infringement and breach APRIL LAUNCHES with the word “unsubscribe” in of contract lawsuit against Space Systems/Loral, On April 29, Arianespace S.A. successfully the subject line. LLC (SSL) related to the use by SSL of ViaSat launched the KazEOSat-1 Earth observation ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. intellectual property, including technology satellite for the Republic of Kazakhstan on a Prior results do not guarantee developed for the 100+ Gbps ViaSat-1 satellite. Vega launch vehicle in what marked Vega’s first similar results. Loral Space and Communications Inc., which is fully commercial mission. Manufactured by responsible for defense of the lawsuit, has Airbus Defence and Space based on its © 2014 - Milbank, Tweed, announced that it intends to appeal the decision. Astrobus platform, KazEOSat-1 will be used by Hadley & McCloy LLP. the Republic of Kazakhstan for a range of civil HUGHES AND EUTELSAT CAPACITY DEAL applications, including mapping, natural and On April 23, Eutelsat do Brasil, an affiliate of agricultural resources monitoring and natural Eutelsat Communications S.A., announced that disaster rescue operations. it concluded a 15-year contract with Hughes Network Systems do Brasil (Hughes), a APRIL LAUNCH SERVICES ORDERS subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation, for all of April 28 – Arianespace S.A. announced that it the Ka-band capacity with coverage of Brazil was selected by PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia aboard the EUTELSAT 65 West A satellite (Persero) Tbk. to launch the BRIsat satellite on scheduled for launch in early 2016. Hughes an Ariane 5 launch vehicle in 2016. intends to use the capacity to provide mass April 30 – Press reports indicate that Thaicom market broadband services to Brazilian Public Company Limited selected Space consumers and businesses that are unserved or Exploration Technologies Corp. to launch underserved by terrestrial networks. Thaicom 8 on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle in 2016. Milbank.com .