United States
Brazil Uses Satellite Network for Rural Schools
Satellite communications enable a growing number of distance learning and tele-education programs. In 2007, the Brazilian education network, enabled by Hughes Network Systems’ HughesNet, completed rollout in the state of Amazonas.
Moon Exploration from the Desktop
Google Moon, originally released in July 2005, was updated in 2007 with high-resolution imagery from NASA, including images and tours of Apollo landing sites.
Personal Stargazing Guide
A new application of GPS technology is making star-gazing more accessible. The telescope manufacturer Meade’s mySKY handheld digital astrolabe uses a GPS sensor and a magnetic compass to identify celestial objects.
Phoenix Rises Above Mars
The first mission intended to “touch and examine water on Mars,” was launched by NASA in August of 2007. The Martian probe Phoenix was scheduled to land in May 2008 near the Martian North Pole. From this location, the Phoenix mission involves direct observation of the water cycle, assessing the history of water on Mars and its effect on weather.
Land a Lunar Rover, Win Money
A new X PRIZE competition, sponsored by Google, began in 2007. The Google Lunar X PRIZE is a $30 million competition designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activity and investment. The prize will be awarded to the first team able to land a privately funded robotic rover on the lunar surface capable of roaming 500 meters and sending still images, video, and other data back to Earth.
Virtual Private Networks from Space
New technologies allow satellites to play a key role in Virtual Private Networks (VPN) — the ability to have secure network communications over the Internet. This provides a relatively inexpensive solution to management and communications challenges of geographically dispersed companies.
Personalized Advertising Distributed Through Satellites
The Space Report 2006 noted the increasing trend of retail stores delivering advertising content through digital signage. Recent market research has shown that digital signage, or narrowcasting, is becoming increasingly popular and is on a path to sustainable growth.
Record Where You’ve Been
GPS receivers are being integrated into mapping and camera equipment. “Geotagging,” a complementary application for digital photography, records coordinates from a GPS receiver in the metadata of photographs.
A Combination Satellite and Internet Streaming Radio Service
Slacker, a new model of satellite and Internet radio that combines the portability of satellite radio with the customization features of personal audio devices, was launched in 2007 by a San Diego-based start-up company of the same name.
Satellite TV in a Suitcase
DIRECTV, one of two major direct-to-home (DTH) providers serving North America, unveiled a portable satellite TV in January 2007. The portable TV unit houses a 17-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) screen in a carrying case that resembles a briefcase. An antenna, rather than a dish, receives signals from DIRECTV’s satellites.