News Releases
Intelsat to Test Internet Routing in Space for the U.S. Military
PRNewswire-USNewswire
BETHESDA, Md.
BETHESDA, Md., April 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Intelsat General Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intelsat Ltd, today announced that it has been selected for an industry-government collaboration to demonstrate the viability of conducting military communications through an Internet router in space.
The Department of Defense project to test Internet routing in space (IRIS) will be managed by Intelsat General, and the payload will convert to commercial use once testing has been completed. The IRIS project is one of seven projects -- out of hundreds of applicants -- funded and announced in fiscal 2007 as a Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) by the Department of Defense.
Intelsat is the first commercial satellite company to be awarded a JCTD Program. The IRIS JCTD is a three-year program that allows the DoD to collaborate with Intelsat General and its industry team to demonstrate and assess the utility of the IRIS capability.
Cisco, the global networking leader based in San Jose,
Concerto Advisors, a financial advisory firm based in Iowa City,
"IRIS extends the Internet into space, integrating satellite systems and the ground infrastructure for warfighters, first responders and others who need seamless and instant communications," said Bill Shernit, President and CEO of Intelsat General. "IRIS will enable
Intelsat previously announced that Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto,
Representing the next generation of space-based communications, IRIS will serve as a computer processor in the sky, merging communications being received on various frequency bands and transmitting them to multiple users based on data instructions embedded in the uplink.
The IRIS payload will support network services for voice, video and data communications, enabling military units or allied forces to communicate with one another using Internet protocol and existing ground equipment.
The IRIS payload will interconnect one C-band and two Ku-band coverage areas. The IRIS architecture and design allow for flexible IP packet (layer 3) routing or multicast distribution that can be reconfigured on demand. With the on-board processor routing the up and down communications links, the IRIS
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) will have overall responsibility for coordinating use of the IRIS technology among the government user community and for developing means of leveraging the IRIS capability once the satellite is in space.
Headquartered in Bethesda,
About Concerto Advisors.
Concerto Advisors, Inc. is a venture advisory firm. Currently, it is working with US Strategic Command and industry partners to create a transformative paradigm for satellite communications and related services. Concerto Advisors is an Industry Management Team Member and the investment manager for the industry team for the Internet Routing in Space Joint Capability Technology Demonstration Project. Concerto Advisors is organizing, and arranging financing for its affiliate (to be named), who will finance, control, and operate the equipment that will provide IP routing on IS - 14 commercially after the JCTD testing period has concluded. Contact: Clare Fairfield, 1+ (319) 338-2326, cfairfield@concertoadvisorsinc.com
About Cisco Systems
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com/. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com/.
Media contact: Janis Langley, 1+ (512) 402-9635, jalangle@cisco.com
About SEAKR Engineering
SEAKR Engineering is a world-leading provider of advanced state-of-the-art electronic avionics for space and airborne applications. Since its inception in 1982, SEAKR has delivered over one hundred flight units. More than sixty of these units have launched with all having met or exceeded mission objectives. This 100% success rate establishes a track record simply unsurpassed in the industry. SEAKR leading edge space avionics include Cisco IP routers as well as software-defined radios, high-performance payload processors, modular command and data handling systems, and solid state recorders. SEAKR is a small business proud to serve its customers and country. Contact: Dave Jungkind, 1+ (310) 784-7734, dave.jungkind@seakr.com
About the JCTD
In FY2006 a new business process was initiated which replaced the successful ACTD (Advanced Concepts Technology Demonstration) program, updating it to meet the transformational goal of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to become capability vice threat-based in its focus. The program is referred to as the Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) program. The JCTD program includes many positive aspects of the ACTD program, but was revamped to meet the defense challenges of the 21st Century. The new process integrates the ACTD program with the new Joint Integration and Development System (JCIDS) developed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The IRIS JCTD is a three-year program that allows the DoD to collaborate with Intelsat General and its industry team to demonstrate and assess the utility of the IRIS capability. IRIS is designed to support enhanced network services for voice, video and data communications over a common IP network. Additionally, the IRIS JCTD serves as an operational test bed to further examine Network Operations (NetOps), Concept of Operations (CONOP) and Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs), and how space-based routing and processing can serve the Joint Interagency Intergovernmental, and Multinational (JIIM) user community.
Government Contacts:
DISA: Mr. Michael Thiem, 1+ (703) 607-6714, Michael.Thiem@disa.mil
SMDC: Mr. Michael Howard, 1+ (719) 554-1983, Michael.Howard@smdc- cs.army.mil
USAF/SMC: Mr. Eric Schnaible, 1+ (310) 653-1131, Eric.Schnaible@losangeles.af.mil
SOURCE: Intelsat General Corp.
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