NewSat Selects Kratos for Command & Control System for Jabiru-1 Satellite

March 10, 2014

 Kratos Integral Systems International (Kratos ISI) business unit has been awarded a contract by NewSat Limited to provide the satellite command and control system for the Jabiru-1 satellite. Jabiru-1, Australia's first commercial Ka-band satellite, is currently under construction and scheduled to be launched in 2015. Jabiru-1 is a Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite that will be used to provide coverage over South East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. 

The Jabiru-1 ground system program will be based upon Kratos' EPOCH IPS satellite fleet management system, the industry's leading command and control system. EPOCH IPS is used by more than 70% of commercial satellite operators, as well as civilian and defense agencies around the globe. EPOCH IPS supports more than half of all LM A2100 commercial satellite programs.

"Kratos' deep experience with LM A2100 satellites was a significant factor in our decision to select EPOCH IPS," said David Ball, Chief Technology Officer for NewSat. "Jabiru-1 is Australia's first commercial Ka-band satellite and NewSat's first satellite. Kratos' ability to operate satellites from all major manufacturers is very important to NewSat as we grow the Jabiru fleet."

EPOCH IPS is an all-in-one fleet management system with the ability to simultaneously control multiple satellites from different manufacturers from a single consolidated system. As a result, EPOCH IPS presents a more efficient and economical alternative to costly stove-piped satellite command and control practices. 

"The EPOCH IPS system will provide NewSat a full complement of satellite command and control capabilities to ensure safe and efficient operations for Jabiru-1, and the system will scale to meet the needs of the Jabiru fleet in the future," said James Kramer, Senior Vice President at Kratos ISI. "We appreciate the trust that NewSat has shown in Kratos ISI and the EPOCH IPS product."