Microcom's Space Newsfeed 6 July 2003<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Published by Microcom Systems Ltd, consultants in satellite communications since 1985. http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />Publishers of the Handbook of Satellite Services in Europe, the definitive guide to European satellite communications: http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/pubs/ssie.html. April 2003 issue now available. Also available online - get a temporary password to review the Handbook by sending a blank email to review@satelliteonthenet.co.uk.<br /><br />Other web resources from Microcom Systems:<br /><br />Satellite Industry Links: the largest free satellite and space industry directory on the web http://www.satellite-links.co.uk<br /><br />Satellite on the Net: white papers, industry events, launch information and space bookshop http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk<br /><br />Jobs in Space: space industry recruitment http://www.space-jobs.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Advertise on Microcom's websites and reach over 20,000 space and satellite industry professionals each month. http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/ratecard.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Contents<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms:<br />Alcatel to Supply Broadband Internet Access Network in China<br />Intelsat and TIBA Expand Reach of TV Channels in Latin America<br />RSCC and ChinaSatCom to Co-operate on Telemedicine Network<br />Scandinavian Airlines and Connexion by Boeing Sign Definitive Service Agreement<br />Storm Terminal To Support Mobile Command Communications During PLB Activation In Vermont<br /><br />Earth Observation:<br />Burning Forests Speedily Space-Mapped for Fire Fighters<br />DigitalGlobe Images California's Growing Regions<br />NASA Takes REASoN-able Approach To Earth Sciences<br /><br />Military Space:<br />Rockwell Collins Becomes Standard Supplier of GPS Engines to US Army<br />RT Logic Awarded Skynet 5 Contract by EADS Astrium<br /><br />Science:<br />SOHO's Antenna Anomaly - Much Better Than Expected<br /><br />Launches:<br />Mimosa, Most, Quakesat, AAU-Cubesat, Cute-I, Can X-1, Dtusat, Cubesat X1, Monitor-E1<br /><br />Business:<br />Alcatel Successfully Resolves Litigation Against Loral<br />Orbital Announces Successful Completion of Consent Solicitation<br />Orbital Prices $135 Million of New Eight-Year Debt<br />Thales to Become Sixth Partner in Galileo Industries<br /><br />People:<br />Intelsat Continues to Grow Regional World-wide Video Sales Capabilities<br />Olof Lundberg to Leave Globalstar<br />Satlynx to Search for New CEO<br />Shuttle Program Manager Announces Personnel Changes<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />The Australian GPS Society Inc is proud to host SatNav 2003 - The 6th International Conference on Satellite Navigation Technology Including Mobile Positioning and Location Services. This is being held at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne from 22-25 July 2003. Please go to http://www.gps-society.org for further information and free membership of the Society.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />EEBC 2003<br /><br />The broadband event demanded by the industry in Central and Eastern Europe. Aims to harmonise and accelerate growth throughout the region to achieve the full triple-play services of video, data and telephony for Cable and Wireless TV systems. Will include Technical Training, Seminars, Industry Conference, Exhibition, Forum of Program Providers, Congress of CATV Organisations. www.eebc.com.ua<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Bolton Associates - Corporate Strategies applies 21st. Century thinking for the Earth Observation, SatCom and Environment Industries that penetrate new markets using creative commercial Risk models and innovation.<br /><br />Visit us at http://www.BoltonAssociates.com and/or download our Power Point presentation http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/ads/EOConsult.ppt [131Kb]<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Space Bookshop - books for space professionals.<br />http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/book.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satellite Internet access in Africa, Europe and the Middle East<br />http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/internet1.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Alcatel to Supply Broadband Internet Access Network in China<br /><br />(1 July 2003) Nanjing Toptry China-Spacenet Co Ltd, a broadband access service provider in the Peoples’ Republic of China, has granted a multi-million US dollar contract to Alcatel for the turnkey delivery of a "DSL in-the-Sky" broadband access network, including a satellite gateway, Customer Premise Equipments (CPEs) and a comprehensive network management platform.<br /><br />The network, to be delivered by Alcatel before year end, will be used by Nanjing Toptry China-Spacenet Co Ltd to develop its broadband service provider business over China by offering Internet web browsing, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and e-learning services to thousands of schools and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas.<br /><br />The Alcatel Space "DSL in-the-Sky" solution, based on the DVB-RCS standard supported by a number of CPE vendors, seamlessly integrates with DSL networks and management solutions proposed by Alcatel. It offers key services differentiators such as Quality of Service/Service Level Agreements and VPN support.<br /><br />As part of the turnkey contract, Alcatel will provide the on-site network installation/ commissioning service and customer support through its local units.<br /><br />Nanjing Toptry China-Spacenet Co Ltd is a Jiangsu-based broadband access service provider and has extensive experience in consumer product manufacturing, distribution, customer sales and services, and has further expertise in enterprise network integration and installation.<br /><br />(source: Alcatel Space)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Intelsat and TIBA Expand Reach of TV Channels in Latin America<br /><br />(1 July 2003) Intelsat, working together with TIBA, a leading global satellite telecommunications carrier, has begun provisioning TV receive only (TVRO) antennas to approximately 800 cable head-ends in Latin America to provide an expanded viewing area for programming carried over the Intelsat 805 satellite located at 304.5º E.<br /><br />The antenna seeding program effectively secures access to all major cable head-ends in South America, in addition to those already receiving programming from the 805 satellite. The installation of the antennas, which should be complete by the end of this year, will ensure that all major head-ends in the region have expanded access to news and entertainment programming. The antenna program is being deployed and will be maintained by TIBA.<br /><br />The Intelsat 805 hosts a large and continually growing Latin American video community consisting of approximately 20 renowned broadcasters. Reflecting the growing prominence of the 805 video community, TIBA is working to introduce relevant local and regional channels onto the Intelsat system.<br /><br />(source: Intelsat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />RSCC and ChinaSatCom to Co-operate on Telemedicine Network<br /><br />(29 June 2003) The Russian Satellite Communications Company and ChinaSatCom have signed an Agreement on Co-operation for the deployment of a satellite telemedicine network in China, Russia and South East Asia countries.<br /><br />The telemedicine satellite network will use a range of medicine, telecommunications and organisational solutions to diagnose diseases in their early stages and to provide a broad strata of the population with effective medical services by providing distant consultations with leading medical experts in the health institutions of China, Russia and other countries via advanced computer technologies. The Government of Kenya accepted a similar deployment project tailored by Russian specialists and the experts of International Telecommunications Union (ITU). The first three telemedicine centres have recently been put into operation in the Republic of Chuvashiya allowing tele-consultations on-line via RSCC satellites between the Republic and the Federal District.<br /><br />The new Russian-Chinese Project is designed to enhance the public health systems of China, Russia and other countries. The Project is designed to improve early detection and prevention of epidemic outbreaks by supporting preventive measures.<br /><br />The new Project includes the deployment of four-level telemedicine infrastructure in China, including a national telemedicine centre, regional telemedicine centres, mobile telemedicine laboratories and VSAT network connecting the three above to hold distant consultations between mobile telemedicine laboratories, regional telemedicine centres, national telemedicine centres of China and telemedicine centres outside China.<br /><br />(source: Russian Satellite Communications Company)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Scandinavian Airlines and Connexion by Boeing Sign Definitive Service Agreement<br /><br />(2 July 2003) Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and Connexion by Boeing have signed a definitive service agreement for equipping the European air carrier's long-haul aircraft with the broadband mobile information service.<br /><br />Based on the terms of the agreement, 11 SAS long-haul aircraft will be equipped with wireless technology that will allow airline passengers to access the Connexion by Boeing service. An undisclosed number of options for expansion of the service onto additional SAS aircraft also are part of the agreement. Service installations will commence in early 2004, while aircraft model types and flight routes will be determined in the months ahead. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.<br /><br />Once an airliner is equipped with the Connexion by Boeing service, SAS passengers will have the ability to use wireless-enabled laptops or personal electronic devices (PEDs) for real-time, high-speed access to the full richness of the Internet including two-way e-mail, virtual private network access and streaming audio and video content, by accessing an open wireless local area network onboard. The evolution of Wi-Fi technology into commercial airliners is expected to help simplify cabin distribution, reduce costs, and eliminate wires associated with traditional hard-wired connections. SAS also is expected to benefit from increased operational efficiencies through weight and power reductions, and reduced aircraft down time for system installation.<br /><br />(source: Connexion by Boeing)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Storm Terminal To Support Mobile Command Communications During PLB Activation In Vermont<br /><br />(30 June 2003) EMS Technologies Inc's high-speed data Storm terminal will support a field exercise for the country's first Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) activation in Vermont on July 1.<br /><br />The Vermont State Police and staff from the Air Force Rescue Co-ordination Center (AFRCC), the entities responsible for managing land-based emergency alerts in Vermont, will oversee the PLB exercise, which commences Tuesday when two troops of Vermont Boy Scouts set off PLBs in a wooded area of Waterbury, Vermont.<br /><br />EMS's Storm terminal was widely used by military commanders, ground troops and the embedded news media for voice, data and video communications during the Iraq conflict. For the PLB exercise, it will be installed in the Vermont State Police Mobile Command Post, where officials will manage the rescue response by viewing data from EMS's SARMaster search-and-rescue (SAR) information system. SARMaster will provide real-time data feeds and maps of the area to support the search-and-rescue effort.<br /><br />Hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts in distress can activate a PLB, which will allow rescue organisations to track their location quickly over the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system, in much the same way that downed aircraft and ships are located.<br /><br />EMS has provided ground equipment and management systems for use with the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system since its launch in 1981. Since that time, the system has been credited with saving more than 12,000 lives by using spacecraft and ground facilities to detect and locate signals from distress beacons.<br /><br />(source: EMS Technologies)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Earth Observation<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Burning Forests Speedily Space-Mapped for Fire Fighters<br /><br />(1 July 2003) Maps of burning Spanish forests taken from space have been relayed to local fire fighters in near real-time. A successful demonstration campaign using Earth Observation data has taken place in Galicia - delivery time from raw orbital data to final value-added product in the hands of the user came to 92 minutes.<br /><br />Around 45,000 forest fires start across Europe every year, with half a million hectares of woodland lost in the Mediterranean region alone. The European Commission estimates the cost of every hectare burnt equals between 1,000 and 5,000 Euros. Satellite data are used for compiling forest fire risk indices as well as damage mapping, but rapid provision of fine-resolution data has so far not been used in operational fire fighting. To track blazes as they happen, fire fighters must rely on eyewitnesses or helicopter surveys - up until now.<br /><br />The Galicia-based demonstration campaign is known as DEMOBIRD and commenced with an initial trial on May 30. This involved using infrared sensors aboard Germany's BIRD (Bi-spectral Infrared Detection) satellite to chart thermal hot spots within a 190 km strip of land during the satellite's four-minute pass over the Spanish province. Once the satellite acquired the data it was downlinked to ESA's Villafranca tracking station near Madrid, then transferred to the German Aerospace Centre DLR for calibration and passed on to Spanish prime contractor INSA to be processed for products, delivered to users and validated with GPS readings taken on the ground.<br /><br />Before BIRD had completed a single orbit, local fire fighters had been provided with geo-referenced hot-spot maps together with a risk index indicating where the blaze was most likely to spread as well as fireline representations. The data detected a hundred per cent of the fires over cloud-free areas. Later tests established data delivery times could be cut to an hour once the DEMOBIRD system is fully implemented.<br /><br />DEMOBIRD is being run by INSA and the Laboratorio de Teledetección of the University of Valladolid as part of the ESA Earth Watch Programme FUGEOSAT. The aim is to develop and launch a constellation of small satellites to supply operational data to help fight forest fires.<br /><br />Woodland areas will be surveyed with a high revisit time to enable risk monitoring for prevention and planning, as well as detecting fires as they start and then analyze and predict their evolution over time.<br /><br />(source: ESA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />DigitalGlobe Images California's Growing Regions<br /><br />(30 June 2003) DigitalGlobe has announced that AgroWatch, the company's agricultural product line, is collecting regularly scheduled satellite imagery covering the San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento Valley and other major California growing areas during the 2003 growing season. This comprehensive level of coverage is being offered in response to frequent requests from Pest Control Advisors (PCAs), crop consultants, growers and leaders of other allied industries for a reliable, scheduled source of imagery to make crop production, labor and other management decisions. The first images have already been collected and will continue every two weeks until early September.<br /><br />Customers will have a choice of imagery captured in three different resolutions - 2-, 8- and 30-foot. The two-foot resolution is ideal for viewing permanent crops, such as trees and vines, where users can assess the canopy density of individual trees or rows. The eight-foot resolution is ideal for vegetables and other crops in smaller fields, and the 30-foot resolution is best for viewing row crops and performing large-area analysis. Blanket coverage of the central valley will only be available at the 30-foot resolution level. In addition, AgroWatch's on-line delivery system enables users to directly select, view and download information from any field in the coverage area at their convenience.<br /><br />The AgroWatch product suite includes value-added information products that help quantify crop status, soil conditions and rates of crop change throughout the field. AgroWatch products can cut field-scouting time in half by identifying problem areas - often before they are visible to the naked eye. By quickly locating problem areas and tracking the effectiveness of the solution, AgroWatch customers can significantly boost field productivity and crop quality, often while reducing costs.<br /><br />AgroWatch is the only field information solution for the agricultural market that quantitatively compares current field conditions with those from last week, last month or even last season to show how both short- and long- term management decisions and other factors impact production and profitability today.<br /><br />Growers, consultants and other decision makers use AgroWatch information products as part of their daily business process to make faster, better-informed and more accurate crop management decisions, resulting in greater productivity and higher revenues.<br /><br />Derived from satellite images and customised for agricultural markets by DigitalGlobe, AgroWatch products are delivered via the Internet in the form of colour-coded field maps. These easy-to-read, fully quantifiable maps provide a highly detailed overview of exactly what's happening in each field or across many farms with information that is delivered in near real-time.<br /><br />(source: DigitalGlobe)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Takes REASoN-able Approach To Earth Sciences<br /><br />(2 July 2003) NASA has selected 41 proposals in response to the "Research, Education, and Applications Solutions Network," a co-operative agreement notice known as "REASoN."<br /><br />The selected proposals will expedite the use of NASA Earth Science observational measurements, models and systems engineering capabilities. REASoN ensures scientists studying Earth System Science have access to the most accurate and complete key geophysical observation records. Solutions that serve society will emerge from the selected proposals to help us understand and protect our home planet, while inspiring our next generation of explorers.<br /><br />NASA is generating Earth System data of unprecedented quality and quantity, developing data processing and modelling capabilities to transform the data into products and information, forming new knowledge of our home planet. The activities support science findings and applications directed toward understanding and predicting the Earth's future.<br /><br />NASA Earth Science data, data products and data processing algorithms are stored in archives at centres across the United States and linked by the Internet for data access and distribution. Capabilities developed by NASA complement capabilities in the commercial sector to acquire and distribute Earth observation data and information products using the Internet as the medium of choice by public and private sector organisations and the general public for access to, and delivery of, digital information.<br /><br />NASA received 258 proposals in response to the notice. Funding availability limited the selection to 41 proposals. All proposals went through a peer-review process and were selected based on highest merit. NASA has committed US$ 96 <br />million to support selected proposals. The selected proposals come from 17 states.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Military Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Rockwell Collins Becomes Standard Supplier of GPS Engines to US Army<br /><br />(2 July 2003) CECOM has selected Rockwell Collins as the standard supplier of GPS engines to the US Army enabling support of soldiers on the three-dimensional digital battlespace. Rockwell Collins won the competitive two-year ground-based GPS receiver application module (GB-GRAM) contract that has an estimated value of US$ 30 million when the additional options are exercised.<br /><br />GB-GRAM is a NAVSTAR GPS JPO/Product Manager GPS initiative to migrate towards an open system architecture for ground-based embedded military applications and will be used in communications and weapons platforms across the military over the next 10 years.<br /><br />Under the GB-GRAM contract, Rockwell Collins is providing its 12-channel Miniature PLGR Engine SAASM (MPE-S), a small, lightweight, third generation GPS receiver. The MPE offers geolocation and precise positioning capabilities for military navigation, tactical communications, battlefield computing and other C4I (Command, Control, Computers, Communication and Information) equipment. Additional features include field reprogrammability, dual frequency and direct-Y acquisition/reacquisition capability, and extended jamming protection performance.<br /><br />(source: Rockwell Colins)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />RT Logic Awarded Skynet 5 Contract by EADS Astrium<br /><br />(2 July 2003) EADS Astrium Limited in Stevenage, Hertfordshire England has awarded RT Logic, a wholly owned subsidiary of Integral Systems Inc, a contract to supply satellite baseband systems, S band modem systems, and other ground equipment for command and control of the NATO Skynet 4 and Skynet 5 satellite constellations.<br /><br />Skynet 4 provides secure communications for the UK's armed forces. Skynet 5 will provide secure communications services to UK and overseas customers. Under an initial authorisation to proceed valued at US$ 300K in anticipation of a two-phase contract valued at over US$ 2 million, RT Logic is to replace legacy Skynet 4 ground equipment and supply next generation Skynet 5 systems at multiple ground sites in the United Kingdom.<br /><br />RT Logic is a leading provider of products for ground-based space applications, primarily for satellite and launch range operations. RT Logic offers a complete line of Telemetrix products used in systems for widely varied control centre, ground antenna, and range applications. Since October 2002, RT Logic has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Integral Systems Inc.<br /><br />(source: RT Logic)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Science<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SOHO's Antenna Anomaly - Much Better Than Expected<br /><br />(2 July 2003) After a number of tests and new insights, SOHO engineers now say there will be no "blackout" periods for SOHO science data.<br /><br />High-rate transmissions from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) were initially interrupted on 27 June 2003. The interruption was expected due to a recent malfunction in the pointing mechanism of the spacecraft’s high-gain antenna (HGA). The loss of signal occurred on a 26-metre station of NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN).<br /><br />Until 30 June 2003, however, the spacecraft continued beaming down its science data, which were successfully picked up by larger 34-metre DSN stations (when available). In addition, dumping on-board recorder data during these contacts has further reduced data losses so far.<br /><br />On 30 June 2003, the 70-metre DSN station in Madrid, Spain, successfully transmitted high-rate science data through SOHO's omnidirectional on-board low-gain antenna. SOHO normally uses this antenna only for low-rate telemetry in emergencies, and the antenna does not need to be re-pointed.<br /><br />Even better, when high-rate telemetry was lost on 1 July 2003, during a 34-metre station pass, engineers successfully switched SOHO into a medium-rate telemetry mode, using the low-gain antenna. In medium rate, all real-time science telemetry can be downlinked during station passes. However, on-board recorder dumps are not possible in this mode.<br /><br />The relatively late occurrence of the initial loss of contact means that the effective SOHO’s HGA antenna beam width is larger than anticipated. Also, since the 34-metre stations are much quieter than the smaller stations, you can use them for longer time periods than expected. Being able to transmit science data through the on-board low-gain antenna using 70- and 34-metre stations therefore means that there will be no hard blackout periods for SOHO science data, given sufficient ground station resources.<br /><br />However, 34- and 70-metre stations are in higher demand than the 26-metre stations that SOHO normally relies on. Minor data losses are therefore inevitable every day during the 2-3 week periods.<br /><br />SOHO scientists expect full high-rate telemetry coverage, even on 26-metre stations, to resume on or about 14 July 2003. To achieve this, they will make the spacecraft roll 180º around its Sun-pointing axis in a manoeuvre currently planned for 8 July 2003.<br /><br />(source: ESA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launches<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Mimosa, Most, Quakesat, AAU-Cubesat, Cute-I, Can X-1, Dtusat, Cubesat X1, Monitor-E1<br /><br />Launched: 30 June 2003<br />Site: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia<br />Launcher: Rockot<br /><br />International Number: 2003-031A<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 820 km, perigee: 320 km: inclination: 96.8°<br />Name: Mimosa<br /><br />International Number: 2003-031B<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 820 km, perigee: 820 km<br />Name: Most<br /><br />International Number: 2003-031?<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 820 km, perigee: 820 km<br />Name: Quakesat<br /><br />International Number: 2003-031?<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 820 km, perigee: 820 km<br />Name: AAU-Cubesat<br /><br />International Number: 2003-031?<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 820 km, perigee: 820 km<br />Name: Cute-I<br />Owner: University of Tokyo Intelligent Space Systems Laboratory<br /><br />International Number: 2003-031?<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 820 km, perigee: 820 km<br />Name: Can X-1<br /><br />International Number: 2003-031?<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 820 km, perigee: 820 km<br />Name: Dtusat<br /><br />International Number: 2003-031?<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 820 km, perigee: 820 km<br />Name: Cubesat X1<br /><br />International Number: 2003-031I<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 820 km, perigee: 820 km<br />Name: Monitor-E1<br /><br />The Micromeasurements of Satellite Acceleration satellite (MIMOSA) is a Czech scientific satellite which will investigate the density of Earth's upper atmosphere by using a highly sensitive accelerometer to measure the drag caused by the atmosphere each perigee in its orbit. MIMOSA is nearly spherical and weighed some 68 kg at launch.<br /><br />The Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars spacecraft (MOST) is a Canadian scientific satellite which carries a 15 cm aperture optical telescope which will be used to make precise measurements of the locations of stars. It will be used for observational projects to derive a limit for the age of the universe, to search for planets orbiting other stars and to study how stars eject plumes of gas into the interstellar medium. MOST weighed 54 kg at launch.<br /><br />CUTE-1 is a Japanese technology satellite which will test commercially available parts in space. It will also image the Earth. CUTE-1 is based on the CubeSat bus standard.<br /><br />Quakesat is an American scientific satellite which carries an earthquake detection experiment.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Alcatel Successfully Resolves Litigation Against Loral<br /><br />(1 July 2003) Alcatel has announced that it will acquire Loral Space & Communications Ltd’s 47% share of the Europe*Star satellite system as part of a transaction that successfully terminates Alcatel’s joint ventures with Loral and resolves Alcatel’s litigation against Loral and its subsidiary, Space Systems/Loral Inc.<br /><br />Acquiring Loral’s share in Europe*Star will increase Alcatel’s stake to 95%. The Europe*Star transfer is subject to German antitrust review, which Alcatel expects to complete this summer. Loral also agreed to pay Alcatel US$ 13 million in cash, US$ 5 million now and US$ 8 million no later than one year from now.<br /><br />In addition, Loral has transferred its interest in the SkyBridge satellite project to Alcatel, while Alcatel has given up its interest in Loral’s Cyberstar partnership. As part of these arrangements, Alcatel plans to terminate its arbitration and lawsuits against Loral.<br /><br />At the same time, Alcatel, Intelsat and Loral have agreed that Intelsat will pay Alcatel directly, rather than through Loral, for Alcatel’s share of orbital incentives on the Intelsat IX and VII satellite programs. Alcatel expects these direct payments to reach in the range of US$ 60 million over the next few years.<br /><br />Alcatel’s litigation against Loral began in the spring of 2001, when Alcatel obtained a federal court order in New York prohibiting Loral and SS/L from violating joint venture arrangements dating back to 1991. Alcatel then initiated an ICC arbitration in Switzerland against Loral for breach of contract.<br /><br />Alcatel won partial awards in that arbitration upholding substantially all of Alcatel’s claims and rejecting all of Loral’s counterclaims. Earlier this year Alcatel brought another lawsuit in New York to block SS/L from transactions that would have substantially endangered Alcatel’s future orbital incentive payments on the Intelsat IX and VII programs.<br /><br />(source: Alcatel Space)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Orbital Announces Successful Completion of Consent Solicitation<br /><br />(1 July 2003) Orbital Sciences Corporation has announced today that it has successfully completed its consent solicitation with respect to its outstanding 12% Second Priority Secured Notes due 2006.<br /><br />As of the expiration deadline for the consent solicitation, which was 5:00 p.m., New York City Time, on July 1, 2003, Orbital had received consents from the holders of 89% of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes to the proposed amendments to the indenture relating to the Notes, and the related guarantee termination and collateral release, which are described in the Company's Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement dated June 20, 2003.<br /><br />Orbital and the trustee under the indenture entered into various agreements to implement the amendments to the indenture, the guarantee release and the release of the collateral securing the Notes. The amendments to the indenture eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants contained in the indenture. The amendments, the guarantee termination and the collateral release will not become operative, however, unless and until Orbital accepts the tendered Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offer Statement.<br /><br />Tendering holders who validly tendered and delivered consents prior to the Consent Date will receive 105.025% of the principal amount of the Notes validly tendered. Following the Consent Date, holders of tendered notes no longer have the right to withdraw their tender. Holders who tender their Notes after the Consent Date but on or prior to 12:00 midnight New York City time on Friday, July 18, 2003, which is the scheduled expiration date of the offer, will receive 104% of the principal amount of the Notes validly tendered. In each case, holders who validly tender their Notes shall receive accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages on such principal amount of Notes up to, but not including, the applicable payment date.<br /><br />Orbital has engaged Banc of America Securities LLC to act as exclusive dealer manager and solicitation agent in connection with the offer and consent solicitation.<br /><br />(source: Orbital Sciences)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Orbital Prices $135 Million of New Eight-Year Debt<br /><br />(2 July 2003) Orbital Sciences Corporation has entered into a purchase agreement for a private offering of US$ 135 million Senior Notes. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually at 9% per annum and the notes will mature in July 2011. Closing of the sale of the new notes is expected to occur on or about July 10, 2003.<br /><br />The initial purchasers of the debt intend to re-offer the securities only to qualified institutional buyers and certain accredited investors in accordance with Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Orbital will use the net proceeds of the transaction, together with cash on hand, to repurchase or redeem all of its outstanding US$ 135 million 12% second priority notes due 2006.<br /><br />(source: Orbital Sciences)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Thales to Become Sixth Partner in Galileo Industries<br /><br />(1 July 2003) The Thales Group and Galileo Industries SA (Brussels, Munich and Rome) have signed a memorandum of Understanding whereby Thales becomes a major (12%) equity partner of Galileo Industries SA.<br /><br />Thales Group already worked with Galileo Industries through some of its German, French and UK business units. Thales is acquiring an equity share of 12% in the joint venture for an undisclosed sum. The founding members Alcatel Space, Alenia Spazio, Astrium GmbH and Astrium Ltd each hold 19%, and GSS 12%.<br /><br />(source: Alcatel Space)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />People<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Intelsat Continues to Grow Regional World-wide Video Sales Capabilities<br /><br />(1 July 2003) To accommodate increased customer demand for video services, Intelsat has appointed Doug Triblehorn and Jean-Philippe Gillet to head regional sales efforts for the company's Media and Entertainment Business Unit in Asia and in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, respectively. Intelsat's "Video Business Unit" has recently been renamed the "Media and Entertainment Business Unit" in order to better represent its function in providing services to customers.<br /><br />Mr Triblehorn, now Regional Vice President Asia Pacific for Intelsat's Media and Entertainment Business Unit, is responsible for leading and managing sales activities in the region to position Intelsat strongly in the marketplace and achieve growth objectives and profitability. Additionally, he will ensure the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting on detailed segment account management strategies, including Asia-Pacific regional, country and customer-specific plans.<br /><br />Prior to joining Intelsat, Mr Triblehorn served as CEO, GlobeCast Asia Pte Ltd (Singapore), where he was principally responsible for implementing the structure, strategy and business development for GlobeCast's interests in Asia and overseeing all operations, sales, marketing, financial and other aspects of the company.<br /><br />Mr Gillet, now Regional Vice President, Europe, Africa and the Middle East for Intelsat's Media and Entertainment Business Unit, is responsible for the direction of overall development and execution of effective sales/customer service strategies for existing and potential customers. Additionally, he is in charge of overall customer relationship management and development of new business in the regions.<br /><br />Mr Gillet comes to Intelsat from GlobeCast North America. Most recently, he served as Vice President of International Sales where he managed the strategy, development and sale of broadcast video services to all international customers. Prior to that position at GlobeCast, he spent time as the company's Director of Sales for Europe and the Middle East.<br /><br />(source: Intelsat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Olof Lundberg to Leave Globalstar<br /><br />(30 June 2003) Globalstar LP has announced that Olof Lundberg has resigned from his positions as Globalstar chief executive officer and chairman of the company's General Partners' Committee.<br /><br />Mr Lundberg joined Globalstar in 2001 to help guide the company through its restructuring process. This process is now nearing a successful conclusion through an agreement in which ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited is to assume majority ownership of the company.<br /><br />The company has no immediate plans to name a successor to Mr Lundberg, pending completion of the acquisition process.<br /><br />(source: Globalstar)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satlynx to Search for New CEO<br /><br />(3 July 2003) Satlynx has announced that its founding CEO, Mr Yves Elsen, will resign effective August 31st, 2003 to pursue career opportunities in a new field. The Company's Board of Directors has created a search committee to identify successors for the position.<br /><br />The Board has also requested its Vice-Chairman, Mr Robert A Bednarek, who is also Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at SES Global, to serve as the acting CEO of the Company during the search process.<br /><br />Yves Elsen was previously responsible for all commercial and marketing activities of SES (Société Européene des Satellites)-Astra and was instrumental in the inception, set-up and early operation of Satlynx, a joint venture between SES Global, Gilat Satellite Networks and Alcatel Space/SkyBridge. Yves successfully brought together the organisation and has worked to continue to expand Satlynx's service offerings and customer base.<br /><br />(source: Satlynx)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Shuttle Program Manager Announces Personnel Changes<br /><br />(2 July 2003) Space Shuttle Program Manager Bill Parsons has announced several key leadership changes within the office as it reorganises and evolves following the Columbia accident.<br /><br />N Wayne Hale Jr, is named Acting Deputy Manager, Space Shuttle Program. He will return to the Johnson Space Center from the Kennedy Space Center where he has served as Manager, Launch Integration, since February.<br /><br />Hale joined NASA JSC in 1978 and has served in several senior technical and managerial positions. He began his managerial career in 1985 as Head, Communications Systems Section. From 1988 to 2002 he served as a flight director including the Ascent and Entry Flight Director for 28 Space Shuttle flights. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1976 from Rice University and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1978 from Purdue University.<br /><br />Steve M Poulos Jr, becomes Acting Manager, Orbiter Project Office at JSC. He joins the shuttle program from the Engineering Directorate where he most recently was Chief, Crew and Thermal Systems Division.<br /><br />Poulos joined NASA JSC in 1989 and has held positions including Deputy Chief, Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Equipment Branch, and Chief, EVA and Spacesuit Systems Branch in the Engineering Directorate; Deputy Manager, EVA Project Office; and Deputy Manager, Program Integration Office, International Space Station Program. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering in 1982 from Penn State University and a Master of Business Administration in 1992 from the University of Houston - Clear Lake.<br /><br />Edward J Mango becomes Deputy Manager, Orbiter Project Office. He has been the technical assistant to the Space Shuttle Program Manager on detail from the Kennedy Space Center.<br /><br />Mango joined NASA at the Kennedy Space Center in 1986 and has held positions that include Lead Project Engineer for the External Tank and Solid Rocket Motors; Lead Project Engineer for Atlantis during the Shuttle-Mir Program; Shuttle Project Engineer; and Shuttle Launch Manager. Most recently he served as the Recovery Director for the Columbia debris recovery effort in East Texas. Mango earned his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering in 1981 from Parks College of Saint Louis University and a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Central Florida in 1993.<br /><br />John P Shannon is named Acting Manager, Flight Operations and Integration. Most recently, he served as Lead Flight Director on Discovery's STS-102 mission in March 2001. Following Columbia's accident, Shannon served as the Deputy Director of the Columbia Task Force that served as the interface between NASA and the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.<br /><br />Shannon joined NASA JSC in 1987 and has served in several senior technical and managerial positions. He began his managerial career in 1992 as Head, Guidance and Control Systems Section. From 1993 to 2003 he served as a flight director, including Ascent and Entry Flight Director for 11 Space Shuttle flights. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering in 1987 from Texas A & M University.<br /><br />John F Muratore is named Manager, Systems Integration Office. He most recently was Assistant to the Director of Engineering at JSC.<br /><br />Muratore joined NASA JSC in 1983 and has held positions including Chief, Reconfiguration Management Division, Space Shuttle Flight Director, and Chief, Control Center Systems Division in the Mission Operations Directorate; and Associate Director and Deputy Manager, Advance Development Office within the Engineering Directorate. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1979 from Yale University and a Master of Science in Computer Science in 1988 from the University of Houston - Clear Lake.<br /><br />Parsons replaced Ron Dittemore as Space Shuttle Program Manager last month.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Press releases should be sent to: newsfeed@microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Microcom makes no charge for this service and makes no payments for the use of material. Microcom makes no warranties about the quality of this free service and accepts no liability for mistakes and errors. 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