The topic of counterfeit semiconductors and other faked high-tech components has become increasingly explosive in today's world and the latest technical developments. Just last week the European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF helps partners seize over one million counterfeit semiconductors in major Joint Customs Operation, 03.07.17) and international media reported about a century coup of European customs surveys and the securing of millions of counterfeit semiconductors.

When the Tesat-Spacecom supplier award was launched in 2008, one would never have expected it to become so popular over the years. Although the coveted award presupposes a supplier evaluation, which continuously tests all relevant aspects in the supplier's company, this is a comparatively low price for the rare honor.

For the second time in a row, the Tesat Parts Agency was awarded with the "Supplier of the Year" award in the category "Value-Add Supplier" by Rockwell Collins. The US aerospace company awards the prize – it could almost be called a trophy – in a total of ten categories, although not every category is awarded if there is no corresponding performance. We can therefore be particularly proud of the fact that we have been repeatedly selected from hundreds of suppliers worldwide.

Under the patronage of Britta Schade (Senior Head of Department at DLR for Quality and Product Assurance), DLR's 5th Conference on EEE Parts took place in Jena on 4th and 5th April 2017. With about 100 registered participants, the event was well booked and enjoyed its growing interest every year. Employees from our Parts Agency and the EEE Center attended the conference.

On March 26th, 2017, it was time to head for Bonn - with our packed truck on its way to the former federal capital. On the same evening, our Laser Communication Terminal already took its place at the DLR booth at the Maritim Hotel.

On 16th and 17th March 2017, the G20 conference "Digitizing Manufacturing - Initiatives, Best Practices and Policy Approaches" took place in Berlin. The conference at the Berlin Congress Center at Alexanderplatz was characterized by numerous lectures and panel discussions. The organizer of the event was the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy.

Summer comes and for many young people school ends. For the first time in their lives, pupils must leave the prescribed and regular school life and have to choose a career path. In choice of a training place, we want to inspire young people for our high technology and arouse passion for space communication.

Not long ago we ware able to witness the launch of the groundbreaking SmallGEO satellite Hispasat 36W-1 live and now the next milestone is at the gates: Sentinel-2B is ready for take off and will be launched tonight at around 02:49 h (CET) on board a European Vega launcher.

With Hispasat 36W-1, 25 years after DFS-Copernicus a German communications satellite launched once again into geostationary orbit. On board: a payload from Tesat-Spacecom.

To all the night owls, aerospace enthusiasts and satellite lunatics: A Soyuz VS16 rocket with the OHB-built SmallGEO satellite HISPASAT 36W-1 and our telecommunication payload starts today at 02:32 pm Central European Time, or "exactly" in 14 hours and 6 minutes. Here, thanks to ESA and livestream.com, you can experience the launch up close and live.