Weekly GEOINT Community News

SiriusXM’s New SXM-7 Satellite, Built by Maxar and Launched Aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, Performing Properly After Launch

Maxar Technologies, SiriusXM, and SpaceX, announced the SXM-7 satellite launched successfully and is performing properly. SXM-7, a high-powered digital audio radio satellite, was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, Dec. 13. Shortly afterward, SXM-7 deployed its solar arrays and began receiving and sending signals. Next, SXM-7 will begin firing its thrusters to commence its journey to its final geostationary orbit. SXM-7 will provide continuous, reliable delivery of SiriusXM’s audio entertainment and information services to consumers in the United States and will expand SiriusXM’s coverage area in Canada and the Caribbean for years to come. SXM-7 will deliver the highest power density of any commercial satellite on-orbit, sending more than 8,000 watts of content to the continental U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean, increasing the power and reach of the signal for SiriusXM.

 Mapbox GL JS V2: 3D Maps + Camera API + Sky API Launch

Mapbox 3D launched on Dec. 8, using the company’s new web SDK, GL JS v2. All maps are now 3D, and Mapbox launched a Camera API, the free-form low-level API for controlling the camera and its view of the map. This increases the map’s maximum pitch from 60 to 85 degrees, and combined with the new Sky API, allows the map to simulate the sun’s position based on geographic location and time of day. All previously built applications, styles, and custom designed maps continue to work with GL JS and are now 3D ready.

Esri’s Web-Based Redistricting Solution to Be Used by Colorado

Esri announced the latest release of Esri Redistricting and its adoption by the State of Colorado. The solution provides legislatures at the state and local level with the flexibility to create open and transparent processes while also enabling the public’s ability to contribute. With more attention being paid to gerrymandering—the process by which legislatures redraw district boundaries to achieve political advantages—there has been increasing public demand for more transparency into the redistricting process. Esri Redistricting provides comprehensive features and functionality that guide users through the redistricting workflow, from plan creation to public involvement and review. Esri Redistricting includes local basemaps, demographics, streets, and imagery to provide a visual context to the redistricting process. The solution enables the creation of compliant plans, using a collaborative workflow that includes participation from the community.

Leidos to Acquire 1901 Group, Enhancing Cloud and Digital Modernization Capabilities

Leidos announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 1901 Group, a leading provider for managed IT services and cloud solutions in the private and public market. 1901 Group delivers leading cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise-scale digital modernization services and capabilities that improve performance and reduce costs. Their unique approach applies technology and process automation to a set of repeatable and reusable services. This provides customers with complete flexibility to tailor their needs across a spectrum of support models—from off-premise managed services to traditional on-premise support, as well as a targeted mix of hybrid models. The acquisition of 1901 Group will advance Leidos’ position in the digital modernization market and expand its ability to address the accelerating cloud and IT services markets. This will allow Leidos to respond to growing customer demand for more fixed-priced, utility-based business arrangements. Leidos will also leverage 1901’s proven IT, cloud factories, and fully-integrated service delivery platforms.

Peer Intel

Orbital Insight has appointed Kevin O’Brien as chief executive officer, effective immediately. O’Brien was previously chief operating officer. Founder James Crawford will transition from CEO to chairman of the board and chief technology officer, where he will continue leading Orbital Insight’s technology vision.

Featured Image: SXM-7, built by Maxar Technologies for SiriusXM, is seen here in Maxar’s manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, Calif. Image credit: Maxar Technologies