Microcom's Space Newsfeed 8 February 2004<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Web resources from Microcom Systems:<br /><br />Satellite Industry Links: the largest 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 post your CV or job specification here<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Handbook of Satellite Services in Europe<br /><br />This unique publication provides detailed information on all aspects of the European satellite scene including extensive data on service providers, national regulations, satellites used in Europe as well as background on satellite communications technology. http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/pubs/ssie.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Advertise on Microcom's websites and reach over 25,000 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 />Fox Moves All US Programming to PanAmSat Fleet<br />SES Americom Retires GSTAR-4 After 13+ Years of Service<br />SkyStream Contributes IP Video Solution to DREAMS Mobile Medical Communications System<br />Spacenet Selected to Deploy Africa’s First Modernised Postal System<br />TVN Entertainment and PanAmSat Strengthen Relationship<br /><br />Navigation:<br />Merrimac Receives US$ 1.1 Million GPS Satellite Order From Boeing<br />PlanetLink Field-Tests PlanetTRAKS GPS Tracking Product<br />Three Teams Short-listed for Galileo Concession<br /><br />Military Space:<br />Mayflower Communications to Develop Next Generation GPS Receiver Systems<br /><br />Science:<br />ESA to Select New Earth Explorer Missions<br />Rosetta Lander Named Philae<br /><br />Technology:<br />Aerojet Awarded Contract to Develop Advanced Technologies for Upper Stage Engines<br /><br />Launch Services:<br />Integral Systems to Provide the Satellite Control System for JCSAT-9<br /><br />Launches:<br />AMC-10<br /><br />Business:<br />Intelsat Plans Initial Public Offering<br />Pegasus Satellite Communications to Offer Senior Notes<br />Spacehab Completes Refinancing of Spacecraft Processing Facility<br />XM Satellite Radio to Redeem 7.75% Convertible Notes and Prepay Series GM Convertible Note<br /><br />Products and Services:<br />Stratos Launches Inmarsat Fleet 33<br /><br />People:<br />Alcatel Names New VP<br />Hughes Announces Executive Appointments<br />Tandberg Television Makes Key Executive Appointments<br /><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/bookshop.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Fox Moves All US Programming to PanAmSat Fleet<br /><br />(3 February 2004) PanAmSat Corporation has announced one of the largest deals in the Company's 20-year history with a multi-year, multi-satellite, multi-transponder agreement with Fox Entertainment Group Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Fox will consolidate its entire suite of US programming onto PanAmSat's global fleet for 15 years and move a significant portion of its international traffic onto the fleet for the next decade. Fox will now be one of PanAmSat's largest media customers and one of its top five global customers.<br /><br />Because of this agreement, PanAmSat will be responsible for the distribution of some of the most popular programs in the US including: 24, American Idol, The Bernie Mac Show, Malcolm in the Middle, My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancé, The O.C., The Simpsons, and That '70s Show. Internationally, PanAmSat will carry Fox's news, sports and entertainment channels. PanAmSat will support Fox using 17 transponders located across seven satellites on its global fleet. Specifically, the domestic agreement calls for a 15-year cable contract for 10 transponders and a 15-year broadcast agreement for four transponders. Internationally, Fox has signed a 10-year agreement for three transponders. In addition, PanAmSat is now the provider of choice for Fox's domestic and international satellite requirements.<br /><br />Fox's cable group currently has six channels on Galaxy 11 at 91° W and will migrate four additional channels to the satellite in the second and third quarter of 2004. The 10-channel programming bouquet includes its regional sports networks, news, movies and general entertainment programming, and will anchor and solidify the cable neighbourhood at this prime orbital slot. Additionally, FOX Broadcasting will move in July to Galaxy 4R at 99° W and Galaxy 3C at 95° W, joining ABC, Buena Vista, NPR, Televisa and WB among others. Fox international channels will consolidate its programming on the PAS-2 and PAS-8 Pacific Ocean Region satellites and the PAS-3R and PAS-9 Atlantic Ocean Region satellites.<br /><br />(source: PanAmSat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SES Americom Retires GSTAR-4 After 13+ Years of Service<br /><br />(2 February 2004) SES Americom has conducted its last operations on the GSTAR-4 satellite, safely de-orbiting the satellite more than 250 km beyond the geosynchronous orbital belt.<br /><br />The Series 3000 spacecraft was built by GE ASTRO SPACE, now Lockheed Martin, with a design-life of 8.5 years. The satellite provided Ku band CONUS services for more than 13 years, exceeding its expected service life by more than 150% due to efficient management of on-board fuel.<br /><br />GSTAR-4 was manufactured for GTE Spacenet, a VSAT services company acquired by GE Americom in 1994. Launched on an Ariane 42P from the spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana on November 20, 1990, the satellite featured a sixteen 54 MHz transponder Ku band payload serving CONUS, Alaska and Hawaii. Considered medium-powered for its generation, the satellite operated from 125° W from 1990 to 1992, when it was transferred to 105° W and has operated in inclined orbit since 2002. The satellite's primary Tracking, Telemetry and Control operations were performed at Americom's Satellite Control Center at Woodbine, Maryland. GSTAR-4 shared its launch vehicle with Americom's Satcom C1 satellite, currently operating at 37.5° W longitude. In the long service history of the spacecraft, its customers included government agencies, Turner Broadcast Systems, a variety of private VSAT networks, radio programmers, a university, and GE Plastics.<br /><br />(source: SES Americom)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SkyStream Contributes IP Video Solution to DREAMS Mobile Medical Communications System<br /><br />(3 February 2004) SkyStream Networks has a key role in providing video solutions for the Disaster Response and Emergency Medical Services (DREAMS) Project. DREAMS is a collaborative project between the US Army, Texas A&M University and University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston which enables medical staff to deliver medical expertise to remote locations.<br /><br />DREAMS is a next-generation initiative meeting the needs of Homeland Security, the US Department of Defense agencies and the nation's hospitals for mobile medical communications and emergency treatment that can reach injured people anywhere in the US DREAMS can help first responders deliver expert treatment to victims of car accidents, plane or train wrecks, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war and other emergencies.<br /><br />Funded by the United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, the DREAMS project - based at Texas A&M University and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT-Houston) - has designed an on-the-go communications system that enables two-way video, audio and data communications in ambulances, military vehicles and remote hospitals.<br /><br />In preparation for its operational launch, DREAMS has selected the SkyStream Mediaplex-20 video headend system for the UT-Houston satellite hub. It is currently road-testing civilian ambulances and military vehicles (High Mobility Military Wheeled Vehicle - HMMWV's or civilian version humvee) mounted with cameras, satellite video, audio, and data communications equipment that can transmit and receive data and video from multiple sources, including the satellite hub.<br /><br />Mediaplex's support for high capacity IP and ATM data interfaces, as well as its various video interfaces, video processing capabilities for video multiplexing, de-multiplexing, encapsulation and de-encapsulation of incoming data and video made it the system of choice for the DREAMS network environment. In this network, Mediaplex's multi-in, multi-out, modular chassis-based platform allows for the manipulation and reliable delivery of both video and data services required by the receiving devices on the DREAMS network.<br /><br />With support from DREAMS, rural hospital-based medical personnel or ambulance-based emergency medical technicians with limited expertise can watch a monitor and receive video-based acute care and expert diagnostics and treatment remotely from a team of medical experts based in major hospital centres. Using a video camera with a satellite uplink mounted in the vehicle, the medical team can see the patients' injuries and analyse their vital signs via the vehicle's diagnostic equipment, which is connected to the mobile communications platform.<br /><br />The DREAMS ambulances and HMMWV's connect to the DREAMS network via a 60 cm antenna using new tracking methodologies and serving as a Ku band land-mobile satellite downlink. Inside the ambulance, a rack-mounted system includes a complete communications system with computers, analogue and digital high-speed connectivity, power supply, cell phone, satellite phone and video cameras.<br /><br />(source: SkyStream Networks)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Spacenet Selected to Deploy Africa’s First Modernised Postal System<br /><br />(4 February 2004) Gilat Satellite Networks subsidiary, Spacenet, has been selected by Posta Kenya to supply a satellite-based communications DialAw@y IP network, linking Kenyan postal offices throughout the country.<br /><br />Gilat’s DialAw@y IP platform will be installed in the postal offices, each servicing a LAN connecting three PCs. While one PC will serve the Postal Office manager’s mail, the other two will provide Internet, email, fax and printer services. The Internet will be accessed through a JAMBONET connection provided by Telkom Kenya Ltd. using Gilat’s unique prepaid Internet system. Installation is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2004.<br /><br />The initiative behind this ambitious project is the Kenyan Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications. The network is the first of its kind in Africa, in terms of using satellite-communications equipment to modernise a country’s postal system.<br /><br />The Kenya Post Office network is the latest example of communication technology bringing government postal services to residents countrywide. Similar applications provided by Gilat exist in Kazakhstan, China, Brazil and in the United States. The application of the United States Postal Service is one of the largest VSAT networks in the world, with some 12,000 sites already installed.<br /><br />DialAw@y IP is one of the only VSAT products capable of providing high-speed Internet connectivity and toll-quality telephony service on a single, low-cost platform. Each unit supports a PC/LAN connection and up to six telephone channels. It is a low-cost solution for the fulfilment of Universal Service/Access Obligations, Public Call Office requirements and small office/home office (SOHO) requirements for bundled telephony and Internet access.<br /><br />DialAw@y IP networks are rapidly deployed, highly scalable and field upgradable. The remote equipment functions in extreme weather conditions, has a long lifespan and can be monitored from a distance. Ultra-low power consumption (less than 25W) enables the units to operate in remote locations that have minimal or no electricity, by incorporating a single-panel solar system or power generators.<br /><br />(source: Gilat Satellite Networks)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />TVN Entertainment and PanAmSat Strengthen Relationship<br /><br />(3 February 2004) TVN Entertainment, a leading provider of on demand television programming, management and delivery services, has signed a new non-exclusive agreement covering satellite distribution of TVN's Video-On-Demand (VOD) and Pay-Per-View (PPV) products with PanAmSat Corporation.<br /><br />The deal enables TVN to double its VOD transport capabilities. TVN will distribute its VOD services on PanAmSat's Galaxy 10R satellite. Currently TVN distributes over 1500 hours of VOD programming to US cable MSOs from over 70 content providers.<br /><br />TVN content is delivered via satellite to a single docking station located at cable headends, making TVN one of the most efficient VOD content solutions available to cable operators. TVN also provides cable and broadcast networks with services including encoding, asset management, site-specific metadata, and multicast transport via satellite to VOD systems throughout North America. Utilising ADONISS, TVN's asset management system, both operators and networks have the ability to track on-demand assets, as well as perform metadata management, reporting, and deletion verification.<br /><br />(source: TVN Entertainment)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Navigation<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Merrimac Receives US$ 1.1 Million GPS Satellite Order From Boeing<br /><br />(5 February 2004) Merrimac Industries Inc has it received an order valued at US$ 1.1 million from The Boeing Company Integrated Defense Systems, Seal Beach, California, to supply Beamforming Networks, and RF/ Microwave signal processing components on Boeing's GPS (Global Positioning System) IIF Satellites.<br /><br />Boeing exercised its first contract option for Merrimac to provide additional signal processing components on Space Vehicles 4, 5, and 6. This order is part of the contract from Boeing estimated to reach US$ 4.4 million that Merrimac announced on September 3, 2003.<br /><br />Designed for flexibility and growth, the IIF satellites will provide new capabilities, including improved anti-jam, increased accuracy, higher integrity and critical secure Operational Military codes.<br /><br />(source: Merrimac Industries)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />PlanetLink Field-Tests PlanetTRAKS GPS Tracking Product<br /><br />(2 February 2004) PlanetLink Communications Inc, a provider of satellite-based products and services has announced the launch of the field-testing phase for its PlanetTRAKS GPS product.<br /><br />Twelve PlanetTRAKS units will be installed on personal vehicles owned by people affiliated with PlanetLink and Karta Technologies, its technology development partner - 6 in San Antonio, Texas and 6 in the Atlanta area. The testing phase, expected to last 2 to 4 weeks, is designed to allow the developers to fine tune the software using live, real-time data in real-world situations. Karta has had two PlanetTRAKS units in operation for the past 60 days as part of the development process.<br /><br />PlanetLink is developing a family of GPS-enabled Mobile Locator Units (MLUs) under the PlanetTRAKS name, designed to communicate real-time location data and other information over the General Packet Radio System (GPRS) to a secure Internet server. Customers may then access that information via a password-protected web site in order to track vehicles and other assets. San Antonio, Texas-based Karta Technologies Inc, an industry leader in IT, engineering, training and program management services is leading the R&D effort.<br /><br />(PlanetLink Communications)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Three Teams Short-listed for Galileo Concession<br /><br />(6 February 2004) Three consortia - Eutelsat/LogicaCMG/Hispasat/AENA, Inmarsat Ventures/EADS Space Services/Thales Group and Vinci/Alcatel/Finmeccanica have been short-listed in the bidding for the concession for the European Galileo satellite positioning system. The GJU should award the Galileo concession early 2005.<br /><br />The invitation to tender was issued by the Galileo Joint Undertaking on 9 October 2003. The joint undertaking was set up by the European Union and the European Space Agency (ESA) to oversee the development phase of the Galileo program and to select the Concession-holder that will take on responsibility for the subsequent financing, deployment and operations phases of the program.<br /><br />Galileo, the first large program initiated by the European Union and the ESA, is a civilian radionavigation system based on a constellation of thirty satellites providing global coverage.<br /><br />(source: Alcatel Space, Inmarsat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Military Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Mayflower Communications to Develop Next Generation GPS Receiver Systems<br /><br />(6 February 2004) Mayflower Communications Company Inc, a technology leader in GPS and Communication Data Link technologies, has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract totalling US$ 10.4 million from the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC).<br /><br />The Navy DoD SBIR Program is a highly competitive program that funds advanced R&D projects geared towards meeting DoD objectives at small technology companies, which also have the potential for commercialisation in the private sector and/or military markets. The DoD SBIR program funded projects totalling US$ 834 million in FY 2003.<br /><br />The funding will be used by Mayflower to develop the necessary modules to support the successful deployment of the US Navy Guidance Integrated Fuze (GIF) system sponsored by the Office of Secretary of Defense. GIF employs a novel systems approach that integrates GPS-based, guidance, navigation and control functions (GN&C) into a NATO standard fuse envelope. GIF is a "smart fuse" that is designed to be a one-for-one replacement to the NATO Standard Fuse presently used by the US Army, Marines, Navy and many NATO countries. Prior to the GIF initiative, the packaging of these elements represented a serious challenge and was considerably beyond the state-of-the-art of SAASM (Selective Availability Anti Spoof Module) GPS receivers and GPS anti-jam systems. The GIF system addresses these needs and is projected to dramatically improve the accuracy of ballistic trajectory of the projectiles which will result in significant performance improvements including: minimal miss distance, reduced time to neutralise threats and minimised logistic and re-supply burdens. In other words, GIF will enable "Manoeuvre Warfare" and provide "First-Round Steel-Target" capability.<br /><br />GIF Spiral II development requires significant miniaturisation of next generation (M-code compatible) GPS receivers with robust anti-jam capability as well implementation of GPS SAASM (Selective Availability Anti-Spoof Module) function in software. Under this program initiative, Mayflower will develop the critical GPS modules for the next generation M-code compatible GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers and anti-jam systems for the Spiral II GIF program. Successful development of these GPS modules will drive the cost of precision navigation and guidance systems down to approximately US$ 3,000 per round and reduce the number of required rounds per target by a factor of 30 to 60, with a similar reduction in time required to achieve this goal.<br /><br />(source: Mayflower Communications)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Science<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ESA to Select New Earth Explorer Missions<br /><br />(5 February 2004) An important milestone for ESA’s Living Planet Programme is to be reached this spring when it will be decided which of the six candidate Earth Explorer missions are to be selected for development.<br /><br />Following the successful implementation of the ERS satellites and Envisat, which address Earth science issues of a global nature, Earth Explorers are smaller research missions dedicated to specific aspects of our Earth environment. The first four Earth Explorers were selected for development in 1999, the first of which is due for launch at the end of this year. Over the last two years the Agency has been working on the next generation of candidate missions and is currently evaluating the resulting six satellite concepts.<br /><br />The six candidate missions are:<br /><br />EarthCARE (Earth, Clouds, Aerosols and Radiation Explorer)<br />The biggest scientific uncertainties in climate change prediction are associated with the effect that clouds and aerosols have on the Earth’s radiative budget. Although it is known that high-altitude clouds warm the Earth while clouds lower in the atmosphere contribute to cooling, it is unclear whether clouds have an overall warming or cooling effect on the Earth. Aerosols can also have both a warming and a cooling effect. Estimates of global warming currently have an uncertainty of 4-5° C. The main aim of the EarthCARE mission is to measure clouds and aerosols and the geophysical parameters associated with them in order to minimise climate predication uncertainty.<br /><br />SPECTRA (Surface Processes and Ecosystem Changes Through Response Analysis)<br />The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by human activity is recognised as one of the main drivers of climate change, therefore a better understanding of the biosphere’s ability to sequester carbon from the atmosphere is extremely important. In order to address issues such as climate change, the greenhouse effect and environmental degradation it is vital to understand more about the interactions between terrestrial ecosystems, in particular vegetation, and the atmosphere. The objective of this mission is to describe, understand and model the role of terrestrial vegetation in the global carbon cycle and its response to climate variability.<br /><br />WALES (Water vapour and Lidar Experiment in Space)<br />Water vapour is the dominant greenhouse gas and knowledge of its distribution is crucial to understanding the global energy and water cycle, cloud interaction, radiation and dynamics and transport processes in the Earth’s atmosphere. Water vapour data are therefore of primary importance for climate and numerical weather prediction. The objective of WALES is to overcome the shortcomings of radiosondes and passive satellite sensors by providing global water vapour observations in the troposphere and lowermost stratosphere with high vertical resolution and accuracy. It will also provide accurate measurements of areas with low humidity and low temperature such as polar regions.<br /><br />ACE+ (Atmosphere and Climate Explorer)<br />Accurate observations of humidity and temperature in the troposphere and stratosphere, including their variability, are highly important in climate change research. The aim is to monitor climatic variations and trends throughout the free troposphere and stratosphere and during different seasons so as to improve the understanding of climate feedbacks. ACE+ will establish highly accurate and vertically resolved climatologies of humidity in the troposphere and of temperature in both the free troposphere and the stratosphere. This will allow the validation and improvement of atmospheric models in support of climate research and numerical weather prediction.<br /><br />EGPM (European contribution to the Global Precipitation Monitoring mission)<br />Compared with the Earth’s total water budget the amount that is available as freshwater is extremely small. Precipitation is a crucial element affecting life on Earth and constitutes the foremost exchange process within the water cycle. EGPM is part of the bigger international GPM (Global Precipitation Monitoring) mission, which aims to measure precipitation all over the world every three hours. EGPM has its own unique objectives to measure light precipitation and snowfall. The mission will improve rainfall estimation accuracy, enhance the detectability of light rain and snowfall, particularly over land and at high altitudes, and it will provide a significant contribution to the monitoring and understanding of hazardous storms along the coasts of the Mediterranean.<br /><br />SWARM (a constellation of small satellites to study the dynamics of the Earth’s magnetic field)<br />Magnetic field plays an important role in many of the physical processes throughout the Universe. The Earth is surrounded by a large and complicated magnetic field caused to a large extent by a self-sustaining dynamo operating in the fluid outer-core. Currents flowing in the ionosphere, magnetosphere and oceans, and magnetised rock and currents induced in the Earth by time-varying fields also influence the magnetic field. SWARM will provide the best ever survey of the geomagnetic field and its temporal evolution, offering new insights into the composition and processes in the interior and the surroundings of the Earth, thereby improving our knowledge of the Earth’s interior and climate.<br /><br />The first-generation Earth Explorers are all currently under implementation. CryoSat will be launched at the end of 2004 and is dedicated to monitoring precise changes in the thickness of polar ice-sheets and floating sea-ice. It will be followed by the Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) scheduled for launch in 2006, which will measure high-accuracy gravity gradients and provide global models of the Earth’s gravity field and of the geoid. In 2007, the Atmospheric Dynamics Mission (ADM-Aeolus) will be launched to make novel advances in global wind profile observations. The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission will also be launched in 2007 and will provide global observations of soil moisture and ocean salinity.<br /><br />(source: ESA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Rosetta Lander Named Philae<br /><br />(5 February 2004) With just 21 days to the launch of the European Space Agency's Rosetta comet mission, the spacecraft's lander has been named "Philae". Rosetta embarks on a 10-year journey to Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Kourou, French Guiana, on 26 February.<br /><br />Philae is the island in the river Nile on which an obelisk was found that had a bilingual inscription including the names of Cleopatra and Ptolemy in Egyptian hieroglyphs. This provided the French historian Jean-François Champollion with the final clues that enabled him to decipher the hieroglyphs of the Rosetta Stone and unlock the secrets of the civilisation of ancient Egypt.<br /><br />Just as the Philae Obelisk and the Rosetta Stone provided the keys to an ancient civilisation, the Philae lander and the Rosetta orbiter aim to unlock the mysteries of the oldest building blocks of our Solar System - comets.<br /><br />Germany, France, Italy and Hungary are the main contributors to the lander, working together with Austria, Finland, Ireland and the UK. The main contributors held national competitions to select the most appropriate name. Philae was proposed by 15-year-old Serena Olga Vismara from Arluno near Milan, Italy. Her hobbies are reading and surfing the internet, where she got the idea of naming the lander Philae. Her prize will be a visit to Kourou to attend the Rosetta launch.<br /><br />Study of Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko will allow scientists to look back 4600 million years to an epoch when no planets existed and only a vast swarm of asteroids and comets surrounded the Sun. On arrival at the comet in 2014, Philae will be commanded to self-eject from the orbiter and unfold its three legs, ready for a gentle touchdown. Immediately after touchdown, a harpoon will be fired to anchor Philae to the ground and prevent it escaping from the comet's extremely weak gravity. The legs can rotate, lift or tilt to return Philae to an upright position.<br /><br />Philae will determine the physical properties of the comet's surface and subsurface and their chemical, mineralogical and isotopic composition. This will complement the orbiter's studies of the overall characterisation of the comet's dynamic properties and surface morphology. Philae may provide the final clues enabling the Rosetta mission to unlock the secrets of how life began on Earth.<br /><br />(source: ESA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Technology<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Aerojet Awarded Contract to Develop Advanced Technologies for Upper Stage Engines<br /><br />(2 February 2004) Aerojet has been awarded a contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Edwards AFB, California, for computational capability improvements in advanced technology upper stage engines. The three phase program begins with the development of a conceptual engine design, followed by a computational tools phase, and will conclude with a hardware and computational tools validation phase. The initial phase, valued at US$ 1.8 million, has been awarded; the potential value of the total contract through the three phases, if all options are exercised, will be US$ 46.8 million.<br /><br />During the initial nine-month phase, an engine will be developed to meet the goals of the Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology (IHPRPT) program. The engine will be assessed to determine increased computational capabilities needed for rapid and accurate design of upper stage engines. Detailed plans will be developed for the acquisition of required analytical tools. Design requirements for a turbopump and thrust chamber needed to validate the tools will also be developed.<br /><br />The challenge during the initial phase will be to define a set of instruments for validation hardware that will collect sufficient data to determine the adequacy of the analytical tools. Following the completion of the initial phase, AFRL will choose a set of award options.<br /><br />Multiple contract award options will be available. One option would include the acquisition of new computational tools and then provide them to the designers. Another series of contract options would include the design, fabrication, and test of a turbopump which will use the test data to validate turbomachinery tools. Another series of contract options would potentially include the design, fabrication and test of a thrust chamber and use of the test data to validate the thrust chamber tools. The turbopump and thrust chamber used to validate the tools will serve the purpose of demonstrating advanced component technologies that are critical to achieving future improvements in the performance of the upper stage.<br /><br />(source: Aerojet)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launch Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Integral Systems to Provide the Satellite Control System for JCSAT-9<br /><br />(2 February 2004) Integral Systems Inc has been awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) to provide an EPOCH satellite control system for JSAT Corporation's (JSAT) new A2100-based JCSAT-9 satellite.<br /><br />LMCSS' selection of Integral for this contract takes advantage of EPOCH's extensive install base, which includes the operation of five other LMCSS A2100-based satellites by other operators using the exact same EPOCH software. With this approach, LMCSS is able to reduce both the program cost and risk by using a proven product-based solution. The system will incorporate several elements of Integral Systems' EPOCH product line to provide complete real-time command and control as well as automated scheduling, procedure execution, and offline trending and analysis functions.<br /><br />In addition to the selection of the EPOCH product, LMCSS has selected Integral's Status and Control (S&C) System for monitoring and controlling the JCSAT-9 ground station antenna and RF equipment. The S&C System will be provided through Integral's Newpoint Technology division of Salem, NH, and it will be based on the COMPASS product.<br /><br />(source: Integral Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launches<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />AMC-10<br /><br />Launched: 5 February 2004<br />Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />Launcher: Atlas IIAS<br />Orbit: GEO: 135° W<br />International Number: 2004-003A<br />Name: AMC 10<br />Owner: SES Americom<br />Contractor: Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems<br /><br />AMC-10 is a commercial communications satellite, owned and operated by SES Americom. It is based on Lockheed Martin's A2100 platform and has a lift off mass of 2,340 kg. It will provide cable television services to the 50 United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. It carries 24 C band transponders, each with a bandwidth of 36 MHz and a transmit power of 20 W, and has a service life of 15 years. It will replace Satcom C-4.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Intelsat Plans Initial Public Offering<br /><br />(4 February 2004) Intelsat Ltd has announced its intention to conduct an initial public offering of its ordinary shares in an amount of up to US$ 500 million.<br /><br />In addition, it is anticipated that Intelsat Ltd's current shareholders will be offered the opportunity to sell ordinary shares in the offering. It is also anticipated that the initial public offering would occur on or before 30 June 2004. It is currently expected that a registration statement relating to the initial public offering will be filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in the first quarter of 2004.<br /><br />The purposes of the initial public offering are to raise money to repay outstanding debt and for general corporate purposes, as well as to comply with the Open-Market Reorganization for the Betterment of International Telecommunications Act (known as the ORBIT Act). The ORBIT Act requires Intelsat, Ltd. to complete an initial public offering by no later than 30 June 2004.<br /><br />(source: Intelsat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Pegasus Satellite Communications to Offer Senior Notes<br /><br />(3 February 2004) Pegasus Satellite Communications Inc intends to offer, subject to market and other conditions, US$ 100 million in aggregate principal amount of 11 1/4% senior notes due 2010, which will be issued pursuant to an existing indenture dated December 19, 2001, under which other notes are outstanding.<br /><br />The senior notes will be offered to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to persons outside the United States under Regulations S of the Securities Act. The offering price and ultimate aggregate principal amount are to be determined.<br /><br />Pegasus plans to use the proceeds of the offering to consummate the cash tender offer of up to US$ 100 million aggregate principal amount of specified series of outstanding debt securities maturing in 2005 through 2007 and the remainder, if any, for general corporate purposes.<br /><br />(source: Pegasus Communications Corporation)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Spacehab Completes Refinancing of Spacecraft Processing Facility<br /><br />(3 February 2004) Spacehab Incorporated has closed of the refinancing for its Astrotech Spacecraft Processing Facility (SPF) in Titusville, Florida. The new loan agreement with SouthTrust Bank substantially reduces the outstanding principal balance, lowers the fixed rate by more than 2.0%, shortens the loan by four years, and eliminates the hedge instrument of the previous loan.<br /><br />As announced in October 2003, Spacehab's Astrotech Space Operations subsidiary received a US$ 17.5 million payment from The Boeing Company upon termination of a contract for payload processing support services. Boeing indicated that the decision to terminate the contract was based on the downturn of the commercial expendable launch market and anticipates that it will continue to rely on Astrotech facilities and services for future launches.<br /><br />Spacehab has applied approximately US$ 9.9 million of the proceeds from the contact termination towards the balance on the SPF mortgage which was secured, in part, by the contract revenues anticipated under the Boeing contract. Spacehab also applied approximately US$ 1.3 million of the proceeds to terminate an interest rate hedge agreement entered into simultaneously with the original financing.<br /><br />The original loan agreement with SouthTrust Bank was in the amount of US$ 20.0 million. After applying the proceeds noted above, and payments on the loan to date, the loan with SouthTrust Bank was restructured to the amount of US$ 6.1 million, with a termination of January 28, 2007.<br /><br />Astrotech expects to provide continued support to Boeing for future Delta missions at both the Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base facilities under future contracts. In the meantime, Astrotech remains under contract with Lockheed Martin Corporation for payload processing services in its Florida facility in support of the Atlas program. The contract expires in 2006 and has four additional one-year option periods available to extend the base period of performance on the contract through 2010.<br /><br />Astrotech also provides payload processing services under contracts to NASA, the Sea Launch Company LLC, and Orbital Sciences Corporation. The Company, which has typically provided payload processing services to the commercial market, has seen growth in its government business in recent years.<br /><br />(source: Spacehab)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />XM Satellite Radio to Redeem 7.75% Convertible Notes and Prepay Series GM Convertible Note<br /><br />(4 February 2004) XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc has issued a notice to redeem any of the approximately US$ 45.7 million outstanding principal amount of the 7.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2006 which are not converted prior to the close of business on March 2, 2004 and a notice to prepay the portion of its outstanding US$ 89 million Series GM Senior Secured Convertible Note due 2009, which is not converted.<br /><br />XM will use a portion of the proceeds from its recent offering of Class A common stock, which closed on January 28, 2004, for the prepayment of the Series GM Convertible Note and the redemption of any 7.75% Convertible Notes. In the aggregate, XM expects to eliminate approximately US$ 135 million in debt as a result of these redemptions and prepayments, or if holders otherwise convert their securities into XM Class A common stock. The redemption prepayment and any conversions into Class A common stock will be completed by March 3, 2004.<br /><br />The 7.75% Convertible Notes may be converted by the holders thereof into shares of XM's Class A common stock prior to the close of business on March 2, 2004 at a conversion price of US$ 12.225 per share. Approximately US$ 7.9 million of the outstanding principal amount of the Series GM Convertible Note may be converted into shares of XM's Class A common stock prior to 5:00 p.m. on February 19, 2004 at an average conversion price of US$ 8.00 per share.<br /><br />(source: XM Satellite Radio)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Stratos Launches Inmarsat Fleet 33<br /><br />(3 February 2004) Stratos Global Corp has launched Inmarsat Fleet 33 voice and data service, bringing the benefits of world-wide satellite communications to leisure, fishing, coastal, patrol, and other smaller-sized maritime vessels.<br /><br />Fleet 33 is an integrated voice, fax and advanced data service featuring a small, lightweight antenna designed for easy installation on vessels that were previously unable to access this technology due to the size and cost of the terminal hardware. Fleet 33 delivers digital voice calling, fax and dial-up data service at 9.6 kb/s. Plus, with available V40/V42 compression, Fleet 33 can provide data speeds up to 40 kb/s.<br /><br />A Fleet 33 Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) option, featuring always-on capability and data-based versus time-based billing, is planned for introduction later this year.<br /><br />The Fleet family of solutions from Stratos, which also includes Fleet 77 and Fleet 55, provides both ocean-going and coastal vessels with comprehensive voice, fax and data communications services, including e-mail and Internet access. The Fleet product family is the next generation of maritime satellite communications services, having evolved from the highly successful Inmarsat A, B and M systems, but using lighter-weight, stabilised antennas.<br /><br />(source: Stratos Global)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />People<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Alcatel Names New VP<br /><br />(2 February 2004) Nicolas de Ledinghen, 43, has been named Vice President of Alcatel Space's Navigation and Aeronautical Communications Business Unit.<br /><br />He is in charge of all activities in this area, from complete infrastructures such as Galileo and Egnos, to navigation products and applications, especially for telecommunications (Location Based Services/LBS) and transportation (Intelligent Transport Systems/ITS).<br /><br />He replaces, Serge Bertrand, who has been named Chief Operating Officer of Galileo Industries.<br /><br />Nicolas de Ledinghen is graduated from the Ecole Polytechnique in 1979. He received a graduate degree from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure Technique in 1984 and an MBA from Insead in 1992.<br /><br />(source: Alcatel Space)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Hughes Announces Executive Appointments<br /><br />(3 February 2004) Hughes Electronics Corporation has announced the appointment of Bruce Churchill, Larry Hunter and Romulo Pontual as executive vice presidents of the company.<br /><br />Mr Churchill, who joins Hughes as chief financial officer, will oversee financial operations and work closely with Mr Carey in developing and executing the company's strategic plan focusing on key initiatives. He will also oversee the operations of DirecTV Latin America, which is on schedule to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this quarter.<br /><br />Mr Churchill has also been elected to the Board of Directors of PanAmSat Corp, which is 81% owned by Hughes. Prior to joining Hughes, Mr Churchill served as president and chief operating officer of STAR, News Corporation's Asian satellite television and multi-media service.<br /><br />Mr Hunter, who has been with Hughes since 1993, most recently as senior vice president and general counsel, will continue to serve as general counsel overseeing the company's legal strategy as well as regulatory and legislative affairs.<br /><br />Mr Pontual, who joins Hughes from News Corporation, will oversee technology and strategic initiatives for Hughes' satellite platforms. Prior to joining Hughes, Mr Pontual served as executive vice president for Television Platforms, responsible for the development of News Corporation's Sky Platforms.<br /><br />Pat Doyle, who has been with Hughes since 1992, was also promoted to senior vice president, controller, treasurer and chief accounting officer.<br /><br />News Corporation completed its acquisition of 34% of Hughes common stock last December.<br /><br />(source: Hughes Electronics)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Tandberg Television Makes Key Executive Appointments<br /><br />(2 February 2004) In a move that will strengthen and expand its operations, Tandberg Television starts 2004 with two senior appointments. The company’s former Director of Sales, EMEIA (Europe, Middle East, India and Africa), Dan Desmet has been promoted to the role of General Manager for the Americas. Replacing Dan as the new Director of Sales EMEIA is Eric Baron, a highly experienced international Telecoms professional who previously held senior sales and management positions with GN Netcom, Ericsson France, Motorola and SAGEM.<br /><br />A native of Belgium, Dan Desmet first worked in the United States in 1984 establishing the American operations for Barco, an imaging technology company headquartered in Belgium. He began his career with Tandberg Television in 1998, when it was the digital broadcasting business of NDS. Dan was a key player in launching the company’s Business Partner program, harnessing over 50 business partners within the first year of the program. In 2002, he was made Director of Sales EMEA and over the past year has been instrumental in the restructuring of the EMEA sales team to create a focused and highly motivated world-class sales organisation that has delivered significant growth in the region.<br /><br />Eric Baron joins Tandberg Television with an extensive and international telecommunications background, having held senior sales and management positions with GN Netcom, Ericsson France, Motorola and SAGEM. A French national, he holds an MBA from Institut Superieur De Gestion in Paris, as well an International MBA with studies in Japan and the US. He brings sales leadership and world-wide contacts, along with his telco expertise to the company.<br /><br />Dan Desmet has relocated from Southampton, UK to Tandberg Television’s Americas headquarters in Orlando. Eric Baron has moved from his previous residence in Paris to the company’s Southampton, UK headquarters.<br /><br />(source: Tandberg Television)<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 service and accepts no liability for mistakes and errors. Use of this service is taken as confirmation of acceptance of these conditions.<br /><br />If you require further information contact Microcom by email: info@microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />This newsletter, and archives dating back to January 2000, can be viewed on the web at http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />To subscribe to this email newsletter go to: http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/subscribe.html. You can also unsubscribe from the same page.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Copyright 2004 Microcom Systems Ltd. All rights reserved.<br /><br />Microcom's Space Newsfeed may be freely distributed on condition that it is distributed complete, not edited in any way, and that no fee is charged. All copies must contain this copyright notice.<br /><br />Microcom Systems Ltd<br />PO Box 21<br />Haverhill<br />Suffolk CB9 0NZ<br />United Kingdom<br /><br />info@microcomsystems.co.uk<br />http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk