A medium Earth orbit ( MEO ) is an Earth-centered orbit with an altitude above a low Earth orbit (LEO) and below a high Earth orbit (HEO) – between 2,000 and 35,786 km (1,243 and 22,236 mi) above sea level.
55-397: O3b Networks Ltd. was a network communications service provider building and operating a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite constellation primarily intended to provide voice and data communications to mobile operators and Internet service providers . O3b Networks became a wholly owned subsidiary of SES in 2016 and the operator name was subsequently dropped in favour of SES Networks ,
110-634: A Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Centre Spatial Guyanais , to join the existing constellation of 12. In December 2018, Thales Alenia Space said that tests on the final four O3b satellites would be completed by the end of January 2019 and the satellites would then be flown to the Guiana Space Centre for launch in March 2019. The four satellites were successfully launched on 4 April 2019. Medium Earth orbit The boundary between MEO and LEO
165-517: A latency (delay) five times lower than on the existing platform based on geostationary orbit satellites. In September 2023, satellite operator SES announced the first satellite internet service to use satellite constellations in both MEO and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) . The SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink service will use SES's O3b mPOWER MEO satellites and SpaceX 's Starlink LEO system to provide cruise ship passengers with internet, social media and video calls at up to 3 Gbps per ship anywhere in
220-569: A 15-year operational life. ViaSat-1 cost $ 400 million to produce and launch. ViaSat-2 , which launched in June 2017, expands the capacity and coverage of the Viasat Internet service. Initially the satellite broadband internet was launched as a response to the lack of coverage provided by terrestrial services. The 12 Mbit/s service was faster than earlier satellite internet access options such as WildBlue which could reach 1.5 Mbit/s. In 2016,
275-547: A 25 Mbit/s download speed was introduced in some areas, as well as a new modem supporting the new speed tier that includes an integrated Wi-Fi router and VoIP adapter. In 2017, Viasat sunsetted the name Exede and rebranded as Viasat Internet. The internet service covers most of the continental U.S. and Hawaii . Between 2012 and 2015, the Federal Communications Commission has reported that Viasat's Exede Internet met or surpassed advertised speeds. In
330-552: A company focused on cloud networking software, in 2013. In 2014, Viasat partnered with Thuraya Telecommunications, a mobile satellite services operator, to provide machine to machine (M2M) services. The same year, Viasat entered a partnership with LightSquared to work on M2M services in vehicular and aviation devices. Viasat also teamed with Southern California Edison to provide an easy transition into operational networks. NetNearU based in Bryan/College Station, Texas
385-424: A computer or storage device is stolen. Eclypt drives are used by governments, military forces, and law enforcement agencies. Viasat Critical Infrastructure Security was introduced in 2013, designed to stop security breaches and monitor operation of grid networks using real-time intelligence. The process adds encrypted sensors to the critical national infrastructure networks and monitors all abnormal activity through
440-571: A contract with Viasat for the production and installation of Ka-band infrastructure indicating significant progress in the deployment of O3b's Next Generation Network. The value of the Viasat contract is approximately US$ 47 million. In 2011, once financial closure had been obtained, Mark Rigolle, former Chief Finance Officer of SES and O3b CEO since 2010, returned to SES. In his place, Steve Collar joined from SES World Skies where he had served as Senior Vice President of Business and Market Development and
495-504: A division of SES. The satellites themselves, now part of the SES fleet , continue to use the O3b name. The network combines the relatively large reach of satellite with high speed and medium latency to deliver satellite Internet services and mobile backhaul services to emerging markets . The name "O3b" stands for "Other 3 billion", referring to the population of the world where broadband Internet
550-401: A firm backlog of US$ 350 million, and revenue in 2016 was expected to exceed US$ 100 million, reaching around US$ 680 million in 2023. In August 2016, SES Government Solutions (now SES Space & Defense ) announced a contract to provide an O3b Networks high data rate satellite communications solution with very low signal travel time delays for a US Department of Defense end-user. The agreement
605-527: A high inclination of 63.4° and high eccentricity of 0.722 with a period of 12 hours, so a satellite spends most of its orbit above the chosen area in high latitudes. This orbit was used by the (now defunct) North American Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio satellites and the Russian Molniya military communications satellites, after which it is named. Communications satellites in MEO include
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#1733086281869660-477: A high-capacity three satellite constellation, is expected to launch first satellite in 2020. In December 2020, Viasat acquired RigNet, a secure managed networking solutions and specialized applications developer. RigNet will be incorporated into Viasat's Global Enterprise and Mobility business unit, providing Viasat access to its digital transformation toolset, end-to-end managed communications, and connectivity service capabilities. In May 2021, Viasat appealed to
715-493: A joint venture in 2001 with Loral Skynet to found Immeon Networks to develop the Immeon satellite bandwidth-on-demand service sold in monthly managed service plans. ABC News used Immeon to improve its voice and data-communications for on-location news. Viasat won a contract with WildBlue Communications worth $ 16 million in March 2001 to build WildBlue's satellite modems to support the company's initial service launch. WildBlue signed
770-692: A managed private network that operates on Ku-band satellite links and can use the Yonder global satellite network as well. The worldwide satellite broadband access that Viasat offers allows for airborne mobile broadband for en route communications. The company has an airborne mobility program for C-17 jets and encrypts the satellite to hub link connections for the government. Viasat's Satellite Access Manager (SAM) supports Department of Defense missions through airborne intelligence for surveillance and reconnaissance operations. SAM increases bandwidth utilization and efficiency through real-time network monitoring systems for
825-735: A new wiper malware codenamed AcidRain designed to permanently disable routers. Viasat later confirmed that the AcidRain malware was used during the 'cyber event'. AcidRain shares code with VPNFilter , a 2018 cyber operation against routers attributed to the Russian military by the FBI. On 10 May, 2022, the European Union condemned the attack targeting Viasat's KA-SAT network as a Russian operation. In May 2019, UK politician Priti Patel , shortly before her appointment as Home Secretary, began working for Viasat as
880-563: A one-year contract with US government scientific agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to supply O3b services and ground equipment to the National Weather Service Office in American Samoa , which will expand NOAA's broadband connectivity outside the continental United States to provide weather, water, and climate data, and forecasts and warnings to American Samoa. In May 2016, SES said that O3b had
935-871: A result of the acquisition. In 2017, Viasat announced the intention to enter into a joint venture with the European satellite operator Eutelsat . As part of the venture, the companies will jointly operate two new business entities with one owning and operating Eutelsat's KA-SAT satellite and wholesale broadband business and the other purchasing KA-SAT satellite-based capacity and marketing retail broadband internet services throughout Europe. Both businesses would be headquartered in Lausanne , Switzerland . The companies aborted their joint venture plans in April 2018. The company launched its third (previous satellites were ViaSat-1 and WildBlue-1) satellite, ViaSat-2 on June 1, 2017 and ViaSat-3,
990-593: A second contract with Viasat in 2001 for $ 17 million and Viasat would develop and produce satellite modem termination systems for six gateway stations. WildBlue launched its internet service in October 2004 after gaining Ka-band transponder capacity on the Telesat Anik F2 satellite. It conducted formal technical testing until January 2005, followed by nationwide beta testing before the first residential retail customers had services installed in June. The WildBlue service
1045-512: A security operations center. Viasat is working in conjunction with Southern California Edison to enhance their critical infrastructure security systems through a funding from the U.S. Department of Energy meant to improve protection of the nation's electric grid and oil and gas infrastructure from cyber-attack. Viasat also offers mobile two-way satellite broadband services to the United States Government. Tactical communications for
1100-661: A spin-off company, TrellisWare Technology, in 2000. The self-funded company focuses on developing communications and signal processing systems. The acquisition of the satellite networking business of Scientific-Atlanta for $ 75 million in cash in 2000 helped Viasat to focus on providing technology for interactive services to businesses. In 2001, Viasat started working with Boeing on Connexion broadband for airliners. The company acquired Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications' products unit, Comsat Laboratories in 2001 for an undisclosed amount. Comsat Laboratories
1155-508: A strategic adviser on a salary of £5,000 a month for five hours' work a month without seeking prior approval from the government's Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. This led to accusations that she had broken the ministerial code for a second time. In July 2013, Viasat was licensed by the Federal Communications Commission for Ka-band aeronautical earth stations. Viasat operates resources on four satellites: ViaSat-1 , WildBlue1, Anik-F2 and ViaSat-2. The ViaSat-3 constellation
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#17330862818691210-687: A time per plane. In 2017, Viasat established a commercial agreement with Grupo Prosperist, a telecommunications service provider in Mexico, to deploy the Community Wi-Fi service. Community Wi-Fi utilizes a centralized hotspot in order to connect to a Viasat satellite and deliver affordable internet service to remote communities in Mexico. By 2019, Community Wi-Fi was now accessible to over one million people throughout Mexico. Facebook also began investing in Community Wi-Fi in 2019 to continue providing high-speed, satellite-powered internet to rural locations across
1265-470: A total of US$ 1.2 billion to fully finance the construction of its satellites. The first four satellites were launched on a Soyuz-2 / Fregat-MT rocket by Arianespace on 25 June 2013 at 19:27:03 UTC, and are currently in orbit and functioning properly. After discovering a hardware defect in the initial satellites, O3b postponed the planned September 2013 launch of four additional satellites so repairs could be made. The second four satellites were launched by
1320-524: Is Viasat's technology and product development group for communication systems focusing on developing new technologies for extremely bandwidth efficient, high data rate satellite transmission. In 2001, Viasat also purchased US Monolithics, a company focused on designing high frequency broadband circuitry, for around $ 30 million. Eutelsat entered an agreement in 2001 to use Viasat's LinkStar high performance IP terminals for their broadband multimedia network over Ku -based FSS satellites. Viasat entered
1375-931: Is an American communications company based in Carlsbad, California , with additional operations across the United States and worldwide. Viasat is a provider of high-speed satellite broadband services and secure networking systems covering military and commercial markets. Viasat was co-founded in May 1986 by Mark Dankberg, Mark Miller and Steve Hart. Mark Dankberg became chief executive officer and Mark Miller and Steve Hart became chief technical officers . Viasat received venture capital financing of $ 300,000 from Southern California Ventures. In December 1996, Viasat had its initial public offering (IPO). In 1999, Viasat moved into its headquarters in Carlsbad, California. Viasat launched
1430-603: Is an arbitrary altitude chosen by accepted convention, whereas the boundary between MEO and HEO is the particular altitude of a geosynchronous orbit , in which a satellite takes 24 hours to circle the Earth, the same period as the Earth’s own rotation. All satellites in MEO have an orbital period of less than 24 hours, with the minimum period (for a circular orbit at the lowest MEO altitude) about 2 hours. Satellites in MEO orbits are perturbed by solar radiation pressure, which
1485-479: Is expected to be in service by 2022. In addition, there is a contract for a SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch for another ViaSat-3 class satellite, as well as a third satellite to be launched by United Launch Alliance within a similar timeframe. Launched in 2012 under the Exede name, Viasat Internet is a broadband internet service that covers areas traditional terrestrial internet service providers do not reach. In 2013,
1540-409: Is for a 365 days-per-year service consisting of a full-duplex symmetric 155 Mbit/s link, gateway access, a transportable 2.4 metre terminal, terrestrial backhaul, and maintenance and installation services, with a latency of under 200 milliseconds per round trip. The contract also provides for additional capacity to meet surge requirements. Four additional satellites were launched on 9 March 2018 on
1595-615: Is not currently available. Orbiting at an altitude of 8,062 kilometres (5,009 mi), less than one quarter of the altitude of geostationary satellites, the O3b satellite constellation of 20 Ka-band based satellites significantly reduces communication latency. After initially planning to launch in 2010, the first four satellites were launched on 25 June 2013. A second four satellites were launched in July 2014, and another four in December 2014 bringing
1650-693: Is one of the major retailers that offers Viasat Internet to its customers. Dish Network resells the Viasat Internet service and other internet services under its own DishNet brand name. In December 2013, Viasat launched its in-flight WiFi service on JetBlue . The fleet contained 190 aircraft using the service in 2014, and 420 in November 2015. The company has since expanded the service to other airlines including United Airlines , American Airlines , Scandinavian Airlines , Delta , El Al , Aeroméxico , JetBlue , and Qantas . The dual-band technology allows airlines to offer connectivity to over 150 customers at
1705-828: Is sometimes called mid Earth orbit or intermediate circular orbit ( ICO ). Two medium Earth orbits are particularly significant. A satellite in the semi-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately 20,200 kilometres (12,600 mi) has an orbital period of 12 hours and passes over the same two spots on the equator every day. This reliably predictable orbit is used by the Global Positioning System (GPS) constellation . Other navigation satellite systems use similar medium Earth orbits including GLONASS (with an altitude of 19,100 kilometres, 11,900 mi), Galileo (with an altitude of 23,222 kilometres, 14,429 mi) and BeiDou (with an altitude of 21,528 kilometres, 13,377 mi). The Molniya orbit has
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1760-463: Is the dominating non-gravitational perturbing force. Other perturbing forces include: Earth's albedo , navigation antenna thrust, and thermal effects related to heat re-radiation. The MEO region includes the two zones of energetic charged particles above the equator known as the Van Allen radiation belts , which can damage satellites’ electronic systems without special shielding. A medium Earth orbit
1815-815: The Arizona State University Research Park in Tempe, Arizona. The Arizona campus focuses on design and manufacturing of advanced microwave communication and radar products, radio frequency systems and cybersecurity. In 2016, Viasat announced a research and development facility in Chennai, India. In 2017, Viasat broke ground on an 80,000 square foot facility on the ATLAS property near the Texas A&;M Health Science Center in Bryan, Texas . Viasat also acquired LonoCloud,
1870-757: The O3b and O3b mPOWER constellations for low- latency broadband and data backhaul to maritime, aero and remote locations (with an altitude of 8,063 kilometres, 5,010 mi). Communications satellites to cover the North and South Pole are also put in MEO. Telstar 1, an experimental communications satellite launched in 1962, orbited in MEO. In May 2022, Kazakhstani mobile network operator, Kcell , and satellite owner and operator, SES used SES's O3b MEO satellite constellation to demonstrate that MEO satellites could be used to provide high-speed mobile internet to remote regions of Kazakhstan for reliable video calling, conferencing and streaming, and web browsing, with
1925-503: The US Government . In November 2014, MS Quantum of the Seas became the first cruise ship to provide fast internet to guests through O3b Networks. The service is branded "Voom" by its cruise line, Royal Caribbean International and it was subsequently rolled out to every ship in their fleet. [6] [7] [8] In August 2015, SES Government Solutions (now SES Space & Defense ) agreed on
1980-458: The US military involves tactical data, information assurance, and satellite communications. Tactical data links provide secure networking for voice and data. Information assurance for encryption devices allow for the transfer of classified data across public networks. Satellite communications give real-time intelligence for command and control functions. The US government uses ArcLight technology over
2035-525: The satellite constellation to 12 satellites. Three years later, four additional satellites were launched in March 2018, and in April 2019, the final four were launched to bring the constellation to 20 satellites, including the three current backup satellites which are used as in-orbit spares. In September 2017, SES announced O3b mPOWER , the next generation of O3b satellites for broadband internet services , and placed an order for an initial seven from Boeing Satellite Systems . Then expected to launch in 2021,
2090-515: The 2015 report, download speeds were just over 100% of advertised, while upload speeds topped 150% of advertised speeds. The long distance to the geosynchronous orbit used by Viasat has a latency of over 600 ms, over 10 times more than terrestrial or low Earth orbit systems like Starlink , rendering it much less competitive for applications like videoconferencing and video gaming . Viasat Internet likewise offers voice over IP residential phone service with its Viasat Voice Services. DirecTV
2145-472: The O3b mPOWER constellation of MEO satellites would "be able to deliver anywhere from hundreds of megabits to 10 Gbits to any ship at sea" through 30,000 spot beams, with software-defined routing to direct traffic between the MEO satellites and SES' geostationary fleet. In August 2020, SES announced the order for four more O3b mPOWER satellites from Boeing and the fleet's launches by Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX to start in early 2022. The launch schedule
2200-638: The United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit and requested a halt for SpaceX 's ongoing launches of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that power Starlink . Viasat alleged that the Federal Communications Commission 's decision did not comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and said that SpaceX launches should be halted due to "environmental harms when satellites are taken out of orbit; light pollution that alters
2255-503: The Voice home service was introduced as a companion to the data service. The company also distributes a business internet, initially called Exede Business, which was launched in 2014. Viasat's Exede Internet is powered by Viasat's ViaSat-1 satellite. The satellite was announced in 2008. Designed by Viasat and manufactured by Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California , the satellite
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2310-693: The World. Subsequently, in February 2024, SES announced that Virgin Voyages will be the first cruise line to deploy the service. Space debris in medium Earth orbit stays practically permanently orbiting Earth. Most space debris extends to the lowest high Earth orbits just beyond the edge of medium Earth orbit, where geostationary satellites are and where after their end of use they are parked in similar orbits, so-called graveyard orbits . Viasat (American company) Viasat, Inc. (formerly stylized as ViaSat )
2365-504: The acquisition was completed On 24 February, 2022, the day Russia invaded Ukraine , thousands of Viasat modems were disabled by a "deliberate ... cyber event" in what became known as the Viasat hack . Thousands of customers in Europe were without internet for at least a month. On 31 March, 2022, SentinelOne researchers Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade and Max van Amerongen announced the discovery of
2420-592: The capital raising and completion of the acquisition. Operators in the Cook Islands , Pakistan and Nigeria were among the first to prebook capacity on the O3b constellation to serve their respective markets. O3b also announced the selection of Europe Media Port (EMP) the world's fastest-growing teleport in 2009 according to the World Teleport Association – to be the first provider of Gateway Teleport services for O3b's global network. O3b also announced
2475-411: The end of 2016) it would pay US$ 20 million to increase its fully diluted ownership of O3b from 49.1% to 50.5%, taking a controlling share in the company. In May 2016, SES said it would raise another US$ 710 million to purchase all of O3b Networks, exercising a call option with O3b minority shareholders and eliminating the possibility of an O3b stock offering, and then subsequently announced the completion of
2530-471: The merger was given by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority in March 2023 with 25 May 2023 set as the date for a formal decision. On May 31, 2023, the acquisition was completed. On 3 October, 2022, Viasat and L3Harris announced that L3Harris would purchase Viasat's Tactical Data Link product line and network for $ 1.96 billion, consisting of Viasat's Link 16's terminals and networks. On Jan 3rd, 2023,
2585-451: The net purchase price to about $ 445 million. In 2010, Viasat bought Stonewood Group of Dorset , England, an encryption company, for $ 20 million in cash and stock. In January 2013, Viasat broke ground for its expansion in Duluth, Georgia , the second largest location after the company's headquarters in Carlsbad, California at the time. In 2015, Viasat opened a 116,000 square foot facility at
2640-408: The night sky; [and] orbital debris." The FCC rejected these claims, and, on July 20, 2021, the judges ruled that SpaceX can keep launching broadband satellites. On November 8, 2021, Viasat announced a $ 7.3 billion deal to purchase Inmarsat for $ 850 million in cash, approximately 46 million shares of Viasat stock and assumption of $ 3.4 billion in debt. Provisional approval for
2695-544: The same type of rocket from the Space Center in French Guiana , on 10 July 2014. The third launch of four took place in December 2014. In July 2014, SES Government Solutions (a subsidiary of O3b investor, SES and now SES Space & Defense ) received approval to offer O3b services on their General Services Administration (GSA) schedule allowing SES GS to be the first distribution partner to offer O3b capability directly to
2750-545: The world. In July 2020, Viasat launched a high-speed residential internet service for Brazil, using bandwidth from the Telebras SGDC-1 satellite. Its minimal infrastructure Wi-Fi service reached across eight states, including São Paulo , Rio de Janeiro , Minas Gerais , Pernambuco , Paraná , Rio Grande do Sul , Federal District , and Amazonas . Eclypt hard drives and external USB drives produced by Viasat are encrypted to ensure that data stored cannot be retrieved if
2805-876: Was acquired in 2014. Focused on government and enterprise customers, NetNearU has a wifi management system called TRACKOS, a cloud -based software. ViaSat acquired Gray Labs, a company that specialized in satellite-to-earth communications for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in July 2014. Viasat acquired network virtualization company Engreen in 2015 to enhance its Flexible Broadband System. In March 2015, Viasat acquired EAI Design Services in order to add its Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) microprocessor design into satellite and cybersecurity projects. In 2016, Viasat acquired Arconics, an aviation software provider based in Dublin, Ireland. The company added 40 Arconics employees to its staff and expanded its software offerings as
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#17330862818692860-464: Was completed in 2011. It was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome , Kazakhstan in October 2011 using a Proton Breeze M rocket. The satellite has a geostationary orbit over North America at 115.1° West longitude. ViaSat-1 has 72 spot beams . The satellite has 63 beams covering the continental USA and Hawaii, and 9 covering Canada through the Xplornet service. The satellite weighs 6,740 kg and has
2915-517: Was formerly an O3b board member representing SES' interests. This change marks the 5th CEO for O3b in three years. O3b has attracted investment interest with SES joining Google , Liberty Global , HSBC and North Bridge Venture Partners to the US$ 465 million buyer credit facility the company secured from Coface , the export credit agency acting on behalf of the French government. O3b has also recently raised
2970-644: Was subsequently revised and on 16 December 2022, the first two O3b mPOWER satellites were successfully launched. The O3b mPower service is expected to begin operations alongside the existing O3b constellation in Q3 2023. O3b was founded by Greg Wyler in 2007. The company was financially backed by SES , Google , HSBC , Liberty Global , Allen & Company , North Bridge Venture Partners, Soroof International, Development Bank of Southern Africa , Sofina and Satya Capital. In April 2016, SES announced that (subject to regulatory approvals which were expected to be completed by
3025-1040: Was upgraded in 2007 using the satellite WildBlue-1, which launched the year before. In 2005, Viasat acquired Efficient Channel Coding, a producer of broadband communication integrated circuits and satellite communication systems, which gave Viasat access to the IPStar satellite broadband market. Enerdyne, a defense technology firm, was acquired by Viasat in 2006 for an initial investment of $ 17 million adding its EnerLinks II video data link equipment to Viasat's defense products. Viasat acquired JAST Antenna Systems, based in Lausanne , Switzerland, in 2007. JAST develops microwave circuits and antennas for terrestrial and mobile satellite applications. On December 15, 2009, Viasat bought WildBlue, based in Colorado, for $ 568 million in cash and stock. Wildblue also brings its WildBlue-1 satellite and Ka-band capacity on Telesat's Anik F2 and about $ 75 million in cash and $ 45 million in tax losses, bringing
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