Weekly GEOINT Community News

Maxar Technologies Completes Acquisition of Vricon

Maxar completed its previously announced acquisition of 3D data and analytics firm Vricon, for approximately $140 million. Vricon is a global leader in satellite-derived 3D data for defense and intelligence markets, with software and products that enhance 3D mapping, Earth intelligence data, military simulation and training, and precision-guided munitions.

BAE Systems Delivers First Radiation-Hardened RAD5545 Radios

BAE Systems delivered its first shipment of next-generation, radiation-hardened, software defined radios enabled by its RAD5545 computer to Lockheed Martin Space. The radios provide spacecraft with the performance, availability, reliability, and on-board signals processing capacity needed to support future space missions. BAE Systems’ software defined radio is anchored by the RAD5545 single board computer, providing the most advanced radiation-hardened, quad-core, general-purpose processing solution available today to address future threats on a variety of missions. The system leverages modular and standard building blocks including a SpaceVPX chassis and backplane electrical connectors, Serial RapidIO and Spacewire interfaces, and a fully supported expansion port for a custom interface card.

Northrop Grumman’s Second Mission Extension Vehicle and Galaxy 30 Satellite Begin Launch Preparations in French Guiana

Northrop Grumman announced the arrival of the company-built Galaxy 30 (G-30) spacecraft for Intelsat and the Mission Extension Vehicle 2 at the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana. G-30 is the 11th Northrop Grumman-built satellite purchased by Intelsat and the first in its Galaxy fleet replacement program, dedicated to video distribution and broadcast services. G-30 carries a C-band payload and will be integral to the U.S. C-band spectrum transition plan that Intelsat is collaborating on with the Federal Communications Commission. Additionally, G-30 includes Ku- and Ka-band payloads to support broadband applications as well as the Wide Area Augmentation System hosted payload for the Federal Aviation Administration. G-30 is based on Northrop Grumman’s flight-proven GEOStar-2 platform. The vehicles are scheduled to launch late July 2020, in a stacked configuration onboard an Ariane 5 rocket.

Ball Aerospace Selected for Four NOAA Operational Weather Studies

Ball Aerospace has been selected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for four, six-month study contracts that will inform mission, spacecraft and instrument concepts for future operational weather architectures and Earth observation capabilities. Ball has played key roles on numerous operational weather satellite programs, including the Ball-built Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite, which launched in 2011, and the Joint Polar Satellite System-1 satellite, now NOAA-20, which launched in 2017. In addition, Ball is also currently manufacturing the Weather System Follow-On satellite for the U.S. Space Force. Ball Aerospace is also collaborating on a fifth study contract awarded to L3Harris Technologies.

 Leidos Awarded Traveler Processing and Vetting Software Contract

Leidos was awarded a new Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to provide software development services and related specialized equipment. This single-award BPA has a total estimated value of $960 million. It includes a one-year base period of performance followed by four one-year option periods. Work will primarily be performed in the Washington D.C. capital region. Under the BPA and its subsequent task orders, Leidos will provide a full range of software development life cycle services to support CBP’s mission to safeguard America’s borders and enhance the nation’s global economic competitiveness. Leidos will also provide and maintain a variety of specialized equipment to support traveler enrollment and processing, including kiosks, workstations, biometric capture devices, document readers, and telecommunications equipment.

SpiderOak Mission Systems Partners with Carahsoft to Provide Secure Communication and Collaboration Solutions to Federal Government

SpiderOak Mission Systems announced a strategic partnership with Carahsoft Technology to accelerate awareness and availability of its Zero Knowledge Encryption/Distributed Ledger-based capabilities to Federal agencies and the intelligence community. Under the agreement, Carahsoft will serve as SpiderOak’s Master Government Aggregator, making the company’s secure communications solutions available through Carahsoft’s NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement V contracts and reseller partners.

Peer Intel

Parsons announced today the appointments of Gen. Darren W. McDew, U.S. Air Force (ret.), and David C. Wajsgras to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. Their appointments follow Letitia Long’s addition to the Board in April.

Featured Image: The second Mission Extension Vehicle and the company-built Galaxy 30 spacecraft have been delivered to the launch site and are scheduled for liftoff in late July. | Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman