QinetiQ secures satID order

has sold a complete satID satellite geolocation system to the

(SCC) of

, allowing SCC to identify and locate the source of interference to satellites.

The system gives operators with alerts about the source of interference, either malicious or accidental, enabling them to deal with the problem.

Tokyo-based SCC provides services for a range of customers, including government departments, broadcasters and electricity companies, from its SUPERBIRD communications satellites. SCC will operate the satID system around the clock, 365 days a year, from one of its two satellite control centres in Japan to help ensure the secure operation of the SUPERBIRD satellites.

The SCC sale is the latest of a string of satID sales successes achieved in the past few years. The US Department of Defense bought three systems in 2005.

Interference is often accidental, the result of faulty equipment, or incorrect operation of ground terminals. In this case, the groundstation causing the problem will be alerted. However, malicious attacks also occur. During the 2002 football world cup cult group Falon Gong jammed Chinese TV broadcasts over the Sino Satellite. More recently, Voice of America broadcasts were blocked from being transmitted into the

.