HOME > ABOUT US

About Us

The focus of Orbital Research is professional products from 'Dish to Demod'. We are not interested in 'mass consumer' products because they are not precise enough for professional use - in fairness, they were never intended to be. We will however take the top end of the mass consumer products and modify and improve them into models that are suitable for industrial/professional use.

Orbital Research Ltd. was founded in May of 2003.

If we can re-engineer a consumer product and take advantage of the economies and consistency of mass production, we will do so. Our modifications can be as simple as a connector change, or as complex as turning an Low Noise Block Downconverter into a wide band, external reference, dual power, alarm reporting Block Downconverter with custom 'Murray' style floating-pin connectors.

If we can't re-engineer, we'll invent - such as our SIP line of products.  

We could even take three BDCs covering the entire entire Ku spectrum and integrate them into a rack-mount unit - discipline them with a Precision Oscillator, and install our own redundant switch (that detects much more than just loss of power),  filter and combine those signals with our Mux/Tees, and  then you would be in the range of our own unique solutions - System Interface Products.  Systems Interface Products address areas either poorly served, or replace products not specifically designed for the satellite industry.  

We are able to do this because of our people:

Key personnel:

Mike Stevens	President and CEO of Orbital, Mike has 25 years experience in the satellite industry going back to the 'Wild West', installing some of the first satellite and mini-cable systems in camps in the backwaters of British Columbia. Mike, with Norsat's founding president, helped to take Norsat public, and was its first VP Marketing. He led the development of the world's first all GaAsFET LNA. Mike is responsible for the design and manufacture of much of Orbital's custom satellite products.
Ian McEachern	Ian has 25 years of experience in the Satellite Communications industry. His experience spans stints with a major satellite carrier as well as several earth station equipment manufacturers. He has years of hands on experience designing and installing earth stations in some of the most remote corners of Canada and around the world. He has also been involved in designs of on board satellite systems, as well as advanced and next generation earth terminals for L-Band through Ka-Bands. He has also contributed to international standards organizations such as the ITU and DVB-RCS. At Orbital Ian provides Communications Systems Engineering support to customers and designs innovative new products. Mr. McEachern received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of British Columbia and is a licensed Professional Engineer.
Lynn Tripp	Production and logistics manager. Ms Tripp has more than 20 years experience in the satellite industry in the areas of production and logistics - 17 years of which were with Norsat International Inc.
Jason Pollett	Jason Pollett has worked in electronic production and testing for the last 15 years.  He’s completed telecommunications programs at both the technician and engineering technologist levels and has been soldering since the age of twelve.  His first position in the field was performing touch up and final assembly of various electronic products. In the years that followed he became even more familiar with electronics production having worked in assembly, test, and on automated SMT lines. Then moving into quality assurance, he began the formation and writing of production procedures and documentation, working to obtain ISO 9002 certification in electronics production. Having passed the first time through the audit process, this goal was achieved within 18 months from starting the process. Jason then moved onto Norsat International Inc and held the position of Microwave Technologist for 5 years and was responsible for the Microwave Products Division's microwave test lab.  He performed QA testing, documentation/report generation, sales and customer support functions to name a few. His last position held at Norsat was that of Production Supervisor for the ODU production line.  For the past 3 years Jason has been heading up Orbital's production, QA, test and modification departments and looks forward to producing a product just for you.
David Zuvic	David Zuvic has been in sales, marketing, product management, and technical support in the Satellite, Communications, and Broadcasting industries for 15 years. As a salesperson, he helped companies expand sales and introduce new products into the marketplace, as well as extend their global reach. As a product manager for Norsat International Inc, he forged stronger supplier relationships and worked at filling and completing Norsat's product line. As part of technical support, David organized and developed Sales support information packages, price lists, product specification sheets, brochures, and customer relations procedures.
Neil Baxter	Neil Baxter became involved in the satellite industry in 1979, both as an accountant and installing systems in northern British Columbia, later with businesses importing and distributing satellite and other microwave equipment. He has been a controller/network administrator for high-tech companies continuously since then. At Orbital, he is to blame for the web site.