Archive for September, 2008

A Retrospective of Hughes Communications

Monday, September 29th, 2008

A Retrospective on the Hughes Corporation’s Contribution to the Exploration of Outer Space
By Brian Bradshaw

In Martin Scorsese’s movie, The Aviator, the life of Howard Hughes was fully glamorized. The company he founded, Hughes Aircraft, and later Hughes Space and Communications, was obviously noteworthy. These companies built airplanes, helicopters, missiles, radar systems, satellites, and interplanetary exploration vehicles. The company built the first working laser, aircraft computer systems, and ion-propulsion engines.

In 2000, Hughes sold it’s Space and Communications divisions to Boeing, and in 2003, Hughes sold effective controlling interest (39%) in DirecTV to News Corporation/Fox Broadcasting (Rupert Murdoch).

Green Communications Go Corporate with Commercial Satellite Solutions

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

By Sam A. Brown

In today’s technologically advanced world, commercial satellite solutions are diverse providing solutions for voice, video and data connectivity solutions. With the rising costs of oil, many businesses are wising up to alternative sources to power and drive their satellite connections and corporate communication infrastructure.

Providers of solar and wind generated technology solutions recognize the need for renewable and alternative energy sources to power more than just cars and homes. Now many companies are benefiting from alliances formed between energy solution providers and commercial satellite providers, bringing reliable and renewable energy solutions to businesses worldwide, including rural, remote and temporary locations.

Satellite Communications Systems

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

Satellite communication systems are referred to as satcoms in short. Satellite communication is carried out through artificial satellites positioned in space in different kinds of orbits. There are five different kinds of orbits – low (non-polar and polar) Earth (LEO) orbits, medium earth orbits (MEO), highly elliptical orbits (HEO) and geostationary orbits.

Wireless Satellite Internet

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008

Wireless satellite internet is made possible by satellite communication. Wireless satellite internet is especially useful in areas where physical cables to a telephone line or other providers of internet services which lay physical cables to provide internet connectivity are not accessible. In such cases, satellite communication is used for providing wireless satellite internet service.