A Russian Proton rocket successfully launched Russia’s Express AM-2, a next-generation domestic communications satellite, Tues. According to a Spaceflight Now report, the Russian Satellite Communications Company will operate the bird for state users and commercial customers at 80 degreesE., with 16 C- band and 12 Ku-band transponders covering users across all of Russia and parts of China.
Russia export controls and sanctions
The use of export controls and sanctions on Russia has surged since the country's invasion of Crimea in 2014, and especially its invasion of Ukraine in in February 2022. Similar export controls and sanctions have been imposed by U.S. allies, including the EU, U.K. and Japan. The following is a listing of recent articles in Export Compliance Daily on export controls and sanctions imposed on Russia:
SAN JOSE -- NTIA Dir. Michael Gallagher stuck to his free-market guns Wed. when challenged over the low U.S. ranking in broadband penetration and mobile carriers use of their control over networks and handsets to deflect or destroy new capabilities. The U.S. will have the highest broadband adoption rate in the world, but through private efforts, not govt. mandates that lock in particular technologies, Gallagher said after speaking to the VON Conference here.
Nigeria contracted with China Great Wall Industry Corp., to build and launch a communications satellite next year, a govt. official told Reuters. The country launched its first satellite in Sept. 2003 from Russia, with a maximum life of 10 years. The new spacecraft, which will have a 15-year life, will cost the govt. close to $300 million.
Stratos Global will acquire 100% of Plenexis Group from private equity group 3i, the company said Thurs. The combined corporation will take advantage of an enhanced geographic presence to further expand its capabilities as a global provider of remote communications solutions, officials said. Stratos and Plenexis customers will be privy to an enhanced network infrastructure and expanded suite of advanced mobile and fixed-site satellite solutions -- including Plenexis’ teleports and network operations in Europe and Russia, and Stratos’ portfolio of Inmarsat mobile satellite solutions and StratosITek IP-based VSAT platform. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the month. Stratos also completed a transaction to acquire 49% of Navarino Telecom SA and NTS Maritime, the company said. Meanwhile, Stratos’ board authorized an offer to purchase up to 15% of the corporation’s common stock through a Dutch Auction tender offer. According to the company, the offer, which represents 7.4 million of their 49.4 million outstanding shares, will be made at a purchase price of no less than $8.94 and no more than $9.98 per common share, representing a premium of up to 12% above the closing price on Jan. 12.
House Telecom Subcommittee Chmn. Upton (R-Mich.) will be one of 6 House members traveling to N. Korea this week. Upton will join Reps. Weldon (R-Pa.), Bartlett (R-Md.), Reyes (D-Tex.), Ortiz (D-Tex.) and Engel (D-N.Y.). The delegation also will visit Russia, Japan, China and S. Korea. Later, the delegation will visit tsunami-ravaged Indonesia, where Upton will deliver food and medicine donated from his constituents.
Iran plans to finalize its agreement with Russia for the construction of its Zohreh satellite, Persian Journal reported Wed. In a meeting between Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Gholam Reza Shafei and Russian Federal Space Agency Chief Gen. Anatoly Perminov, the countries reportedly agreed to carry out joint space projects, including construction of satellites. The countries held initial discussions in Tehran last month on implementation of the Iranian Zohreh satellite.
A Russian-Ukrainian satellite launched Dec. 24 failed to reach its planned orbit, Interfax said. It wasn’t clear whether the orbit reached by Sich-1M, which lifted off from the Plessetsk space center in northern Russia, would allow it to carry out its mission. The earth survey satellite was launched with a smaller Ukrainian-built spacecraft aboard a Russian Tsiklon-3 rocket.
SES-Americom’s AMC-16 satellite launch Fri. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was a success, the company said. AMC-16 will be operational by late Jan. or early Feb. and will be tested at 82 degrees W and 85 degrees W, an SES spokeswoman said. This was SES’s 2nd Ku- and Ka- band satellite aimed at providing direct-to-home entertainment and broadband services. EchoStar is leasing capacity on the Lockheed Martin-built A2100 satellite, which has an expected life of 15 years. The company is also readying to send up its new transatlantic bird, AMC- 12, scheduled to be shipped to its launch destination in Russia from manufacturer Alcatel in early Feb., the spokeswoman said. Sister company SES Astra and StarOne, Brazil’s first consumer 2-way satellite broadband Internet service, have committed to a significant amount of AMC- 12’s C-band capacity.
A handful of World Trade Organization member countries have policies unfriendly toward the U.S. satellite industry, according to a new Satellite Industry Assn. (SIA) report. The document, which some experts said could have some influence, also singled out several countries not part of WTO but with membership offers on the table.
GENEVA -- Chaired by FCC Comr. Abernathy, the 5th Global Symposium for Regulators Dec. 8-10 here unanimously adopted a “Best Practice Guidelines for the Promotion of Low Cost Broadband and Internet Connectivity.” The publication “is viewed as the key to providing greater access to the information society,” said ITU spokesman Gary Fowlie. The symposium included 350 participants from 106 countries, including officials from regulatory agencies in 77 countries and ministry officials from 29 countries.