Microcom's Space Newsfeed - 26 May 2002

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Microcom's Space Newsfeed - 26 May 2002 #138 Mon 27 May 2002 05:32:AM
Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 129 M Mike Armstrong-Smith OP Astronaut Level 3
OP Mike Armstrong-Smith Astronaut Level 3 M Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 129	MICROCOM'S SPACE NEWSFEED 26 May 2002<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />********************************************************************<br /><br />Brought to you 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 and broadcast services, providing extensive data on operators, services and service providers, satellites, technology, regulators and regulations in more than forty European countries. The most comprehensive sourcebook available on European satellite communications and broadcasting. http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/pubs/ssie.html<br /><br />For the most extensive directory of space industry links on the web visit http://www.satellite-links.co.uk<br /><br />White papers covering some of the key networking technologies in satellite communications today, including: interactive hubbed VSATs, meshed VSATs, telephony VSATs, Internet connectivity and broadband satellites available free on Microcom's website at http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/white.html<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />CONTENTS<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />SATCOMS:<br />Australia Subsidises Mobile Handsets<br />L-3 Celerity Systems to Provide Test Instrumentation for Sirius Satellite Radio<br />New Skies Supports International Broadcasting Bureau's Expansion With Additional IOR Capacity<br />Star One and Andesat to Jointly Operate New Alcatel Satellite<br />VTL Adopts Cabit OSB and EMS Technologies' PDT-100 System<br /><br />EARTH OBSERVATION:<br />Ball Aerospace Picked to Provide NPP Spacecraft Bus<br /><br />MILITARY SPACE:<br />Com Dev Europe to Supply Ferrite Switch Assemblies for US Military Satellite Constellation<br />France’s Space Supervision Radar<br /><br />MANNED SPACE:<br />SDL Delivers Low-cost Growth Chamber for ISS to Russians<br /><br />TECHNOLOGY:<br />Aerojet and Pratt & Whitney Achieve Three SLI Milestones<br />Aerojet Successfully Demonstrates Thrust-Augmented Nozzle<br />HyShot Second Flight Planned for July/August<br />NASA and US Air Force Forge Ahead With Reusable Launch Technology<br /><br />LAUNCH SERVICES:<br />Overloading Caused Baikonur Roof Collapse<br /><br />LAUNCHES:<br />Launch Schedule<br /><br />BUSINESS:<br />DigitalGlobe Commences Full Commercial Operations<br />Liberty Satellite Hopes to Lead Restructured Astrolink<br />New ESA Initiative to Fund SME Satcom Innovations<br />StarBand Files Suit Against EchoStar<br />Stratos Completes Equity Offering<br /><br />PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:<br />Broadcom Demonstrates Highest Level of System Integration for Next Generation Satellite Set-Top Boxes<br />Intelsat Rolls Out GlobalConnex Solutions<br />iSECUREtrac Delivers New GPS Offender Tracking Units<br />Kingston inmedia's New Israel - London Service<br />New KVH Tracphone F77 Connects Ocean-going Vessels to Internet and Corporate Intranets at Super-fast ISDN Speed<br />SkyStream Unveils First All-Inclusive Video Networking Platform for Broadband<br /><br />PEOPLE:<br />Boeing Space and Communications Strengthens European Presence<br />Connexion by Boeing Names CFO<br />Infosat Telecommunications Names John P. Robertson President and CEO<br />Taylor Named President and CEO of Ball Aerospace<br /><br />******************************************************************<br />******************************************************************<br /><br />European Satellites For Security, 18-19 June 2002, Brussels.<br /><br />Inaugurated by Dr. Javier Solana, General Secretary European Council and EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy.<br /><br />It will bring together top Governmental, Military and Commercial figures driving Europe's Space Security Policy. What are Europe's Security and Defence requirements and what are the practical challenges for implementation? See www.eyeforspace.com<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 /><br />SATCOMS<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Australia Subsidises Mobile Handsets<br /><br />(21 May 2002) The Australian Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston has announced the Federal Government's Satellite Phone Subsidy promised as part of the response to the Telecommunications Service Inquiry (TSI).<br /><br />People living in rural and remote Australia, beyond terrestrial mobile phone coverage, can apply for a one-off government grant of up to Aus$ 1,100 to purchase mobile satellite phone handsets.<br /><br />The subsidy is available for satellite phone handsets purchased by people in areas without terrestrial CDMA or GSM mobile coverage and that are unlikely to get coverage in the near future. It will also be available to community groups, small business, and emergency services operating in these areas.<br /><br />This new subsidy will ensure that mobile communications is more accessible and affordable for those living and working in the remotest parts of Australia. This application-based scheme will provide up to 50% of the purchase price of a satellite mobile handset with financial assistance of up to Aus$ 1,100 (including GST) per handset. It is available for all mobile satellite systems and all telephone companies.<br /><br />A separate Commonwealth-funded Networking the Nation initiative and State Government Satellite Mobile Phone Scheme operating in Western Australia is already providing a subsidy for these services for people in that state.<br /><br />The Coalition Government is committed to extending and improving the coverage of mobile services in Australia, and this initiative is part of the Government's response to the independent Telecommunications Service Inquiry (TSI).<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />L-3 Celerity Systems to Provide Test Instrumentation for Sirius Satellite Radio<br /><br />(22 May 2002) Celerity Systems Inc, a division of L-3 Communications, has announced an agreement with Sirius Satellite Radio, a premier provider of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS).<br /><br />Under the terms of the agreement, Celerity will deliver development, field-measurement, and production test solutions for Sirius. These solutions are also available for use by original equipment manufacturers (OEM's) and producers of after-market SDARS radios. With 200 million registered vehicles, 15 million annual new passenger vehicle sales, and after-market auto radio sales of 10 million units, analysts believe SDARS subscribers could achieve 5 to 8 million users by 2005.<br /><br />Celerity is a division of L-3 Communications specialising in the design, development, and production of digital broadband test and measurement solutions. With expertise in signal generation and analysis, channel simulation, and wideband signal capture, Celerity has become the leader in digital broadband test and measurement.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />New Skies Supports International Broadcasting Bureau's Expansion With Additional IOR Capacity<br /><br />(21 May 2002) New Skies Satellites is supporting the growth of the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) in the Indian Ocean region with additional capacity on the NSS-703 satellite. The increased capacity will broaden IBB's coverage and enhance the distribution of their radio and television programming across the region.<br /><br />The US government-funded IBB oversees the global distribution of audio and video programming in 53 languages to long-haul short- and medium-wave affiliate stations, radio and television stations as well as satellite direct-to-home (DTH) systems world-wide.<br /><br />IBB has expanded its capacity on the C band global beam of New Skies' NSS-703 Indian Ocean region satellite to enhance its coverage of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The agency also currently employs capacity on the NSS-806 Atlantic Ocean region satellite to reach audiences throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.<br /><br />IBB is using Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) technology on NSS-703 to obtain the most efficient use of the expanded capacity, sharing the space segment between multiple locations as demands warrant in the region. The New Skies capacity will be used to carry programming from regional news bureaus, IBB's Washington DC headquarters and other locations to existing, as well as planned, broadcast facilities and satellite DTH gateways.<br /><br />IBB is composed of the Voice of America (VOA), Worldnet Television and Film Service, Radio and Television Marti to Cuba, and the Office of Engineering and Technical Services. The Office of Engineering and Technical services also provides engineering support for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia (RFA), Radio Free Iraq (RFI) and the newest broadcast element, Radio Free Afghanistan, all of which are US government-funded surrogate broadcast services.<br /><br />*******************************************************************<br /><br />Star One and Andesat to Jointly Operate New Alcatel Satellite<br /><br />24 May 2002) Alcatel Space has confirmed that the satellite construction contract signed last October with Brazilian operator Star One had taken effect. Worth more than US$ 100 million, the contract covers the construction of a new Ku band communications satellite for Latin America. It will allow the Andean Pact countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela), working through Andesat, to develop a satellite communications infrastructure - a key to regional integration.<br /><br />Alcatel Space teamed up with Andesat in 1999 to create a joint company, BolivarSat, to launch a satellite system into the 67° W slot, and market its services. In April, Alcatel Space sold its share in BolivarSat to the Brazilian operator Star One, which now has 51% of the company, alongside Andesat. Together, they will operate the Star One C1 satellite.<br /><br />Star One C1, based on the Spacebus 3000 platform, will be launched in 2004 by an Ariane 5. The first C-series satellite operating in Ku band, it will be equipped with 44 transponders (36 MHz) to give South American high-speed Internet and multimedia capacity.<br /><br />Star One is the largest satellite operator in Latin America and Number 10 world-wide. Founded in December 2000, Star One is a partnership between Embratel, which owns 80%, and SES Global with a share of 20%. In 2001, it posted net income of R$ 61.7 million on total revenues of R$ 314 million.<br /><br />Andesat is a multinational consortium comprising 43 investors from the five Andean Pact countries (Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia); each country has a 20% share of the consortium. In addition to the orbital slot assigned to the Simon Bolivar F1/ Star One C1 satellite (67º W), Andesat has two other orbital slots (61º W and 106º W). Using these resources, the company intends to develop satellite communications<br />throughout South and Central America.<br /><br />*******************************************************************<br /><br />VTL Adopts Cabit OSB and EMS Technologies' PDT-100 System<br /><br />(23 May 2002) EMS Technologies Inc and Cabit Systems have announced that VTL Transportation, of Montreal, Quebec, has incorporated the Cabit Online Service Bureau (OSB) packet data satellite solution into its fleet. Cabit OSB is a total communications solution for fleet management. The VTL fleet already has 46 trucks outfitted with the system.<br /><br />Cabit OSB operates over the MSV MSAT-1 satellite network, using the EMS PDT-100 as the satellite terminal. The software works on Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) like the Palm, on DOS terminals like the rugged Wescor data terminal, and on Windows CE/ Pocket PC devices.<br /><br />VTL uses the Palm OS-based system primarily for electronic bills of lading and reliable real-time text messaging. Other applications for the system include log and fuel reports.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />EARTH OBSERVATION<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Ball Aerospace Picked to Provide NPP Spacecraft Bus<br /><br />(22 May 2002) NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center has selected Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation (BATC) to build the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP) Spacecraft.<br /><br />Under the terms of the delivery order valued at US$ 94 million (including spacecraft and all associated options) BATC will be responsible for the design and fabrication of the NPP spacecraft bus, integration of the Government-furnished instruments, satellite-level testing, and on-orbit satellite check-out.<br /><br />NPP is a joint mission with contributions by NASA and NOAA's NPOESS Integrated Program Office (IPO). NASA is providing the NPP spacecraft, the launch vehicle and one of the three advanced sensors. The IPO will develop two new sensors, the spacecraft operations control centre and ground processing systems.<br /><br />The delivery order was awarded under NASA/GSFC's Rapid II Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract. The contract is for Core Spacecraft Systems.<br /><br />The NPP satellite will be launched into a 824-km polar orbit in 2006. With a five-year design lifetime, the satellite will continue the series of measurements initiated with instruments aboard NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) Terra and Aqua satellites, and bridge the timeframe until the flight of the first NPOESS spacecraft late in the decade.<br /><br />The NPOESS merges Department of Defense and Department of Commerce meteorological satellite systems into a single asset. NPP will provide the first flight opportunity for three NPOESS instruments: the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), and the Visible-Infrared Imager Radiometer (VIIRS). All three instruments are currently under development.<br /><br />The NPP mission will also provide operational agencies -- NOAA and the DOD - early access to data from the next generation of operational sensors, thereby greatly reducing the risks incurred during the NPOESS transition. This will permit testing of the advanced ground operations facilities and validation of sensors and algorithms while the current operational systems are still in place. This new system will provide nearly an order of magnitude more data than the current operational system.<br /><br />To accomplish its mission, NPOESS satellites will replace NOAA's Polar-Orbiting Environmental System (POES) and the DOD's Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) constellation that have served the nation for many years. NPOESS and NASA have undertaken a far-reaching program of sensor development and satellite transition to provide complete coverage of meteorological conditions for civil, military and scientific purposes while cutting operational costs dramatically.<br /><br />The NPOESS program extends to the year 2018, building on new technologies to create a new system supporting long-term data continuity for environmental monitoring and global change assessment.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />MILITARY SPACE<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Com Dev Europe to Supply Ferrite Switch Assemblies for US Military Satellite Constellation<br /><br />(22 May 2002) Com Dev Europe has been contracted by TRW to supply the Beam Select Switch (BSS) subsystem for the first two satellites of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Satellite Project, the US Department of Defense's next generation secure communications satellite constellation.<br /><br />The contract is valued at Cdn$ 9.5 million (US$6 million) over the next three years.<br /><br />The BSS is a key component in the beam-hopping operations of the satellite and incorporates both ferrite switch technology developed by Com Dev Space's European facility and electro-mechanical switches developed by Com Dev Space's Cambridge, Ontario facility.<br /><br />The Advanced EHF Program is the next generation of global, highly secure, survivable communications systems for warfighters within all services of the Department of Defense. Lockheed Martin is the Advanced EHF system prime contractor and will be providing the spacecraft bus and Mission Control Segment. TRW will be the payload integrator.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />France’s Space Supervision Radar<br /><br />(30 April 2002) France’s Ministry of Defence has granted ONERA (French Office of Air and Space Studies and Research) a 15 million Euro contract to speed up the development of new radar detection techniques.<br /><br />ONERA's is to optimise the Nostradamus radar system performance and to bring the Graves radar system to an operational stage. The objective is to provide France with a detection system, which will be unique in Europe, by 2005.<br /><br />Nostradamus is an over the horizon radar, transmitting at between 6 and 30 MHz, a band which is reflected by the ionosphere and which therefore travels thousands of kilometres.<br /><br />Graves is a space supervision radar, designed for the detection and measurement of low orbit satellite trajectories. Currently undergoing improvements, this radar should be used by the French Air Force in 2004.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />MANNED SPACE<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />SDL Delivers Low-cost Growth Chamber for ISS to Russians<br /><br />(22 May 2002) Astronauts living aboard the International Space Station will soon be able to choose between dehydrated food and fresh vegetables harvested from the LADA growth chamber built by the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL).<br /><br />SDL is working with the Russian Institute of Bio-Medical Problems to develop LADA, a small, low-cost growth chamber named after the ancient Russian Goddess of spring. LADA will be hosted in the Russian segment of the Space Station. The Russian team is running final tests at SDL this week, preparing LADA for delivery to Russia for its expected launch to the ISS in September 2002.<br /><br />The LADA growth chamber is patterned after the Svet style greenhouse that was used for seven experiments on Mir between 1990 and 2000. LADA uses much of the same technology and approaches that were present in Svet, but with lower volume and power requirements. The device automatically controls root zone moisture with the use of sensors.<br /><br />Mizuna, a plant similar to lettuce and native to Russia, will be the first plant grown in LADA. It is a tall, fast-growing plant that can develop in the growth chamber growing up to 8 inches in three weeks. Shorter, slower growing plants, like tomato, pepper and rice can also be planted in linear rows in the growth chamber.<br /><br />Under the Russian plan, LADA will become a permanent fixture on the ISS with new root systems and supplies sent up as needed. SDL and Russia will have joint ownership of the hardware. Experiments using the hardware will be flown as part of the Russian scientific program with USU investigators as partners.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />TECHNOLOGY<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Aerojet and Pratt & Whitney Achieve Three SLI Milestones<br /><br />(20 May 2002) The joint venture team of Pratt & Whitney and Aerojet has achieved three major milestones in development of the COBRA reusable booster/second-stage engine for NASA's Space Launch Initiative (SLI): prototype engine preliminary design review, subscale preburner testing, fabrication and proof testing of subscale milled channel wall nozzle.<br /><br />COBRA (Co-Optimized Booster for Reusable Applications) is a reusable, hydrogen-fuelled liquid booster/second-stage engine in the 600,000-pound thrust class.<br /><br />Prototype engine preliminary design review: Last month at Pratt & Whitney's West Palm Beach Facility, the team presented its prototype COBRA engine configuration, which addresses the SLI goals of improved safety, reliability, cost and operability. The COBRA engine uses a single, fuel-rich preburner, staged combustion cycle that incorporates proven state-of-the-art technology.<br /><br />Subscale preburner testing: Last week, Aerojet successfully completed testing the first of three subscale preburners at its Sacramento facility. The tests are a major step towards demonstrating combustion stability of the preburner, which is an enabling technology for the COBRA cycle.<br /><br />The joint venture plans to test two preburner alternate designs by the end of May. Full-scale preburner testing will follow next year at NASA's Stennis Space Center.<br /><br />Fabrication and proof testing of subscale milled channel wall nozzle: The joint venture has completed fabricating and proof testing of an approximately 40% scale, milled channel wall nozzle for the COBRA engine.<br /><br />The channel wall nozzle has a part count of 10, dramatically lower than the part count of 1,000 for a typical tube nozzle, which supports NASA's increased safety and cost reduction goals.<br /><br />Pratt & Whitney-Aerojet Propulsion Associates formed in March 2000 to support NASA's second-generation reusable launch vehicle, a Space Shuttle replacement. The team is developing COBRA and a hydrogen-fuelled, expander cycle engine called RLX. The COBRA engine provides a 100-mission life span with a 50-mission before overhaul interval.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Aerojet Successfully Demonstrates Thrust-Augmented Nozzle<br /><br />(21 May 2002) Aerojet has successfully test-fired a hydrogen/oxygen rocket engine with a Thrust-Augmented Nozzle (TAN), which injects and burns propellants downstream of the nozzle throat to increase thrust and create an "afterburning" engine.<br /><br />The April 11 test at Aerojet's Sacramento facility demonstrated nearly 29% improvement in thrust performance by injecting and burning additional propellants into the supersonic flow path of the rocket nozzle at sea level conditions. The additional thrust was achieved without significant loss in engine efficiency - a key goal of the test.<br /><br />Aerojet is proposing the TAN concept as an integral part of booster rocket engines for both the US Air Force's and NASA's next generation reusable launch vehicles. Aerojet will conduct additional TAN development testing and reusable launch vehicle level studies over the next several months, followed by a 40,000 lbf thrust demonstration test in 2003 or 2004.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />HyShot Second Flight Planned for July/August<br /><br />(24 May 2002) The University of Queensland, Australia, is working towards the second flight in the international HyShot program to be launched from Woomera, possibly in late July or early August.<br /><br />HyShot team leader Dr Allan Paull of the University of Queensland’s Centre for Hypersonics said the team was awaiting confirmation whether the Defence Department’s Aircraft Research and Development Unit had been tasked to work with UQ on the second flight.<br /><br />HyShot aims to provide the world’s first in-flight tests of scramjet technology, validating experiments held in ground test facilities. Scramjets are air breathing supersonic combustion ramjet engines which could revolutionise the launch of small space payloads such as communication satellites by substantial lowering costs.<br /><br />Both NASA and the HyShot group staged scramjet experiments last year which did not reach all their objectives. Last October a flight anomaly caused the scramjet and second stage Orion booster disappeared into the desert north of Woomera.<br /><br />In February this year, the HyShot team searched again for the missing debris, with the support of the University and DCSW (Defence Corporate Support Woomera). The debris was located by kangaroo aerial surveyor Professor Gordon Grigg and his team from UQ`s School of Life Sciences.<br /><br />The UQ team has received the investigators` report into the first flight, which paves the way for the second flight and also has allowed the release of debris, most of which is firmly back at UQ.<br /><br />Researchers at UQ`s Centre for Hypersonics and Astrotech Space Operations, the launch providers, had completed an extra analysis of the first flight and as far as American authorities were concerned, the second flight had been cleared to go. A number of corrective actions had been undertaken. Recently, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation had confirmed telemetry support was in place for the next flight.<br /><br />*******************************************************************<br /><br />NASA and US Air Force Forge Ahead With Reusable Launch Technology<br /><br />(21 May 2002) US Air Force and NASA officials recently agreed with the primary recommendation of a 120-day study team that the Air Force and NASA should continue to assess building a joint Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) demonstrator.<br /><br />After scrutinising shared technologies and mutual requirements for space access, the study team's top recommendation to the Air Force and NASA was that the two organisations should work together to assess building a joint operations demonstrator vehicle. The study also concludes this demonstrator could eventually lead to a follow-on cargo vehicle for both the US Air Force and NASA, as well as to a crewed vehicle for NASA.<br /><br />Another significant development of the meeting was a mutual agreement by the principals to continue a cadre of experienced Air Force people to work with NASA to proceed with joint study efforts, which include refining concepts of operations, requirements, figures of merit, and design reference missions. These efforts would support the fielding of a joint operations demonstrator vehicle as well as follow-on vehicles, which may evolve from that effort.<br /><br />Other study highlights include the following:<br /><br /> Development funding would be necessary in the out-years to support a<br /> joint operations demonstrator vehicle<br /><br />* There is a documented need for a new RLV system that supports<br /> commercial launch leadership.<br /><br />* RLV is identified as having the potential to contribute to a<br /> transformational warfighting capability and to addressing NASA's need<br /> for a Space Shuttle replacement.<br /><br />* Potential RLV commonality exists between NASA and DoD in areas like<br /> technology development, cargo lift requirements and launch<br /> architecture elements. A demonstrator could provide DoD early<br /> limited operational capability and provide design heritage for an<br /> operational system.<br /><br />********************************************************************<br /><br />LAUNCH SERVICES<br /><br />*******************************************************************<br /><br />Overloading Caused Baikonur Roof Collapse<br /><br />(21 May 2002) Overloading has been blamed for the collapse of the roof of Building 112 at Baikonur Cosmodrome on May 12 by the Russian state commission charged with investigating the accident.<br /><br />Several factors contributed to the collapse:<br /><br /> in early May over ten tons of asphalt roof coating, used to waterproof<br /> the roof, was stored on the roof in preparation for maintenance planned<br /> for later in the month<br /><br />* a minor earthquake shook the area in late April<br /><br />* high winds and heavy rain stressed the structure in late April and early<br /> May, leaving the roof flooded with tons of water<br /><br />Eight workers died in the accident.<br /><br />********************************************************************<br /><br />LAUNCHES<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Launch Schedule<br /><br />May 29: classified Russian satellite on a Kosmos-3M from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia<br />May 30: ISS UF 2 (Multi Purpose Logistics Module) on the Shuttle Endeavour (STS-111) from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida<br />June: N-Star c, Stellat 5 on an Ariane 5 from CSG Kourou, French Guiana<br />June 5: Intelsat 905 on an Ariane 44L from CSG Kourou, French Guiana<br />June 9: Galaxy 3C on a Zenit 3SL from Sea Launch's Odyssey platform in the Pacific Ocean<br />June 10: Express A1R on a Proton from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />June 15: GPS 2R-8 on a Delta 2 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />June 16: EchoStar 8 on a Proton K from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />June 19: Iridium (2 satellites) on a Rockot from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia<br />June 24: NOAA-M on a Titan 2 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California<br />June 26: Progress M-46 (8P) on a Soyuz-U from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />July 1: Contour on a Delta 2 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />July 19: Spacehab research laboratory (Freestar) on the Shuttle Columbia (STS-107) from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida<br />July 23: Hot Bird 6 on an Atlas 5 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />August: Astra 1K on a Proton from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />August: MSG-1 on an Ariane from CSG Kourou, French Guiana<br />August 1: Data Relay Test Satellite W on an H-2A from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan<br />August 6: classified NRO satellite on a Titan 4 (B-36) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />August 14: GALEX on a Pegasus XL from Canaveral Spaceport, Florida<br />August 22: ISS 9A/BA, ITS S1 on the Shuttle Atlantis (STS-112) from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida<br />August 31: Eutelsat W5 on a Delta 4 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />August 31: Kypros Sat 1 on an Ariane from CSG Kourou, French Guiana<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />BUSINESS<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />DigitalGlobe Commences Full Commercial Operations<br /><br />(21 May 2002) DigitalGlobe has entered into full commercial operations by offering its QuickBird imagery products to the global marketplace. DigitalGlobe began selling products to its Charter Club members in January and to resellers in March, and the company is now making imagery available to all customers with the announcement of its commercial market rollout.<br /><br />Working closely with its global reseller network and through a direct sales channel, DigitalGlobe serves the needs of customers with the responsiveness and expertise the marketplace requires. Through its partnerships with vendors of software for geographic information system (GIS) and image analysis, processing and visualisation, DigitalGlobe is set to provide products customers can easily use with popular software packages. QuickBird Imagery Products have use in a number of applications ranging from transportation planning, environmental monitoring and facilities mapping to agriculture assessments, defence and intelligence planning and forest mapping.<br /><br />The QuickBird satellite was launched in October 2001 to collect images of the Earth at sub-meter resolution. Imagery collected by the satellite has been filling DigitalGlobe's digital archive and, by the end of 2002, will represent a significant portion of the Earth's surface. QuickBird imagery that exists in DigitalGlobe's archive is available for under US$ 600. New collections may also be ordered.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Liberty Satellite Hopes to Lead Restructured Astrolink<br /><br />(21 May 2002) Liberty Satellite & Technology Inc has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Lockheed Martin Corporation, TRW Inc, and Telespazio SpA, in connection with a proposed restructuring of Astrolink International LLC. Astrolink was formed in 1999 to establish and operate a global communications system to deliver next-generation broadband service. Liberty Satellite currently owns 31.5% of Astrolink, with the remainder owned by Lockheed, TRW and Telespazio, in each case through one or more subsidiaries.<br /><br />The non-binding letter of intent contemplates the settlement of all claims among the parties and their affiliates relating to Astrolink and the acquisition of all the assets of Astrolink by Liberty Satellite. If the transactions contemplated by the non-binding letter of intent are consummated, Liberty Media Corporation will make a capital contribution to Liberty Satellite at the closing, in exchange for shares of Liberty Satellite's Series B common stock at fair market value at closing. The parties have agreed not to publicly disclose the specific economic terms of the proposed transaction, pending execution of a definitive agreement on such terms.<br /><br />Subject to consummation of the transactions contemplated by the non-binding letter of intent, and any necessary regulatory approvals, Liberty Satellite currently plans to pursue a revised operating plan for the new Astrolink system, taking into account current financial and market factors.<br /><br />The transactions contemplated by the non-binding letter of intent are subject to, among other conditions, the negotiation, execution and delivery of definitive agreements, required third party and governmental consents, and the termination or renegotiations, on terms acceptable to Liberty Satellite, of Astrolink's prior procurement contracts.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />New ESA Initiative to Fund SME Satcom Innovations<br /><br />(21 May 2002) The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a second and expanded round of funding for innovative R&D initiatives in satellite communications from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).<br /><br />ESA's first round of funding last year is already supporting projects in fields including transportation management, tracking systems, integration of satellite IP networks and interactive satellite advertising.<br /><br />Companies selected to join the scheme will be offered technical and financial support of up to Eur 300 000 to develop their concepts to a level where commercial funding can be sought. The scheme might fund new uses for existing satellite technologies (to provide new Internet, multimedia, location-based communication or mobile applications) or support new systems and technologies with the potential to improve existing services. Two possible funding levels are available, depending on the commercial maturity of the proposal.<br /><br />a) financial support up to 100% (max EUR 300 000) for validation of concepts in early stages of development involving innovative technologies with perceived high commercial and/or technical risks,<br /><br />b) financial support up to 50% (max EUR 150 000) for integration and demonstration activities based on existing technologies tailored to pre-operational products, systems and applications, also involving high risk, but with identified market opportunities.<br /><br />ESA will also use its expertise and contacts to bring together complementary ideas and ventures in the satcom field.<br /><br />Recognising the resource issues faced by small companies, ESA has created a fast-track application process allowing applicants to submit tentative ideas for initial feedback, before producing a full proposal. Initial ideas will be accepted over a four-week period from 21 May 2002.<br /><br />Any small or medium-sized business from a country participating in ESA's Telecommunications Programme is eligible to apply. Participating countries are Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK. Particular attention will be paid to proposals from companies who have never had a contract with ESA before.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />StarBand Files Suit Against EchoStar<br /><br />(24 May 2002) High-speed, two-way satellite Internet provider StarBand has filed a lawsuit against EchoStar Communications with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.<br /><br />In its suit, StarBand is seeking a restraining order and injunction against EchoStar to transfer back StarBand's customer base and cease operating as StarBand's billing agent. The suit also requests the court to prohibit EchoStar from collecting fees from StarBand customers. StarBand is seeking damages for EchoStar's failure to pay millions of dollars rightfully owed StarBand.<br /><br />In the suit filed on Thursday, StarBand charges that EchoStar has not forwarded any of the millions of dollars in fees it has collected and is collecting as its billing agent. As a result of EchoStar's continued delay of the customer base transition, StarBand will be denied another month of service fees and has requested injunctive relief and damages from EchoStar.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Stratos Completes Equity Offering<br /><br />(21 May 2002) Stratos Global Corporation has closed its bought deal equity offering previously announced by the Company on May 2, 2002.<br /><br />The offering consisted of the issue and sale, to a syndicate of underwriters led by RBC Capital Markets, of 7.6 million common shares at a price of Cdn$ 15.50 per common share to raise gross proceeds of Cdn$ 117.8 million. In addition, Aliant Inc, the Company's principal shareholder, purchased an additional 2.0 million common shares on terms identical to those being offered to the public for additional proceeds of Cdn$ 31 million.<br /><br />The total gross proceeds of the offering was Cdn$ 148.8 million. The net proceeds of this issue will be used to repay indebtedness under the Company's bridge credit facility.<br /><br />The bought deal offering was announced shortly after the release by Stratos of its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2002. The Corporation reported a profit for the quarter of US$ 2.8 million, an increase of US$ 14.0 million over the US$ 11.2 million loss reported for the same period last year. The Corporation also reported revenue of US$ 79.4 million for the first quarter of 2002, a 20.5% increase over revenue of US$ 65.9 million for the same period last year.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />PRODUCTS AND SERVICES<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Broadcom Demonstrates Highest Level of System Integration for Next Generation Satellite Set-Top Boxes<br /><br />(21 May 2002) Broadcom Corporation has announced a single chip decoder that enables unmatched functionality for Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) set-top boxes. The Broadcom BCM7315 includes personal video recording (PVR) functionality, a high performance MIPS processor, an advanced graphics engine, and significant mixed signal integration for lower system solution cost.<br /><br />Built upon previous generations of Broadcom digital cable and satellite set-top box chips and technology, the BCM7315 is optimised to enable advanced functions for DBS users. Service providers deploying set-top boxes designed around this new chip will be able to cost-effectively provide their subscribers with advanced television viewing features. Addressing both Direct Video Broadcast (DVB) and DirecTV(R) standards, the BCM7315 is deployable in major satellite television markets world-wide.<br /><br />The BCM7315 sets a new standard in integration for all-digital satellite receivers. It fully integrates a QPSK receiver, MPEG-2 audio/video decoder, MIPS32 CPU and peripherals for a complete set-top box system. This cost- effective solution for DBS applications supports NTSC/PAL and SECAM TV formats. The chip also integrates multiple new security features to defeat the growing problem of satellite television piracy. Featuring a one-time programmable memory block, an on-chip boot ROM and secure EJTAG debug functionality, the BCM7315 provides formidable impediments to satellite network hackers.<br /><br />In addition, the BCM7315 offers new functionality such as PVR, which enables the viewer to watch a live DBS or pre-recorded television program while simultaneously recording another program. PVR capability also enables viewers to perform VCR-like functions such as pause, instant replay, fast-forward and reverse.<br /><br />The BCM7315's advanced 2D graphics system offers true studio-quality text and graphics on television monitors with extremely efficient use of memory and bandwidth. Its design, based on Broadcom's extensive expertise in standard CMOS technology that integrates digital and analogue components, further enhances its cost effectiveness. To expedite product development for set-top box manufacturers, Broadcom also developed device drivers that enable rapid software development cycles that support industry-standard operation systems.<br /><br />Also available is the BCM97315 reference design, a development platform for set-tops based on the BCM7315. The reference design comes with complete software source code, schematics and Gerber files, and provides detailed design information for manufacturers of interactive cable TV set-top terminals.<br /><br />The BCM7315 is priced at US$ 50.00 in 10K quantities. Both the BCM7315 and the BCM97315 reference design are available today to Broadcom's customers.<br /><br />*******************************************************************<br /><br />Intelsat Rolls Out GlobalConnex Solutions<br /><br />(21 May 2002) Addressing customer demand for more consolidated communications services, Intelsat has unveiled GlobalConnex Solutions, a portfolio of bundled services that combines Intelsat's global satellite fleet with terrestrial capabilities - including teleport services, fibre and points of presence (POPs) at strategic exchange points.<br /><br />GlobalConnex Solutions will deliver voice, data, Internet and video content efficiently and reliably to customers around the world.<br /><br />In conjunction with the rollout of this new service, Intelsat announced it has signed the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT) as one in a growing list of GlobalConnex customers. Intelsat is providing the CAT with a 45 Mb/s duplex Internet link between Thailand and the US, by integrating satellite, teleport and IP access services.<br /><br />The first products to be offered as part of the GlobalConnex portfolio include:<br /><br /> Internet Trunking Service - direct, high-speed connectivity to the US<br /> and European Internet backbones for Internet Service Providers and<br /> other entities anywhere in the world, including remote locations<br /> where telecommunications infrastructure is minimal or non-existent.<br /><br />* International Private Line Service - secure, high-speed dedicated<br /> point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connection for voice, data or<br /> IP traffic over a satellite-fibre hybrid network.<br /><br />* Video Solutions - new and expanded transmission connectivity with<br /> uplinking, encoding, signal processing and other value-added services<br /> providing more cost-effective networking options for broadcasters.<br /><br />* Collocation Services - facilities with 24 x 7 on-site assistance as<br /> well as secure and dedicated rack space at either the teleports or<br /> POPs.<br /><br />In addition to Intelsat's global satellite fleet, the GlobalConnex Solutions utilise teleports in Europe and both East and West coasts of the US, along with POPs connected by fibre at key traffic exchange points in Los Angeles, New York and London. Intelsat also plans to use a teleport in Asia.<br /><br />********************************************************************<br /><br />iSECUREtrac Delivers New GPS Offender Tracking Units<br /><br />(21 May 2002) iSECUREtrac Corp has announced the first deliveries of its state of the art GPS offender tracking units which have passed rigorous field testing over the last 6 months.<br /><br />iSECUREtrac's 2100NC GPS tracking unit now provides authorities the most advanced yet low cost capabilities to track and monitor offenders by integrating Global Positioning System technology with the first wearable monitoring device. Authorities now can track and monitor an offender while the offender pursues his or her daily activities of work or travel outside the home.<br /><br />The 2100NC tracking system gives probation and parole authorities the ability to enhance public safety, simplify the process of implementing and monitoring probation and parole violation parameters, reduce the opportunity for an offender to violate their conditions of release, and reduces the time and cost associated with probation and offender management.<br /><br />Integrated with iSECUREtrac's US-wide tracNET24 communications link, hosted data warehouse, and web monitoring system, authorities and their agents can obtain easy and fast access to historical location data, specific violations, and active location surveillance.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Kingston inmedia's New Israel - London Service<br /><br />(20 May 2002) Kingston inmedia has launched a new dedicated point-to-point satellite service between Jerusalem/Tel Aviv and London, in conjunction with RR Satellite Communications of Israel.<br /><br />Kingston inmedia can now provide broadcasters with solutions built on end-to-end connectivity from all major studios and facilities companies in Israel, through the hub of RR Sat's Rehovot Teleport, then via satellite to Kingston inmedia's Gerrard's Cross Teleport. From Gerrard's Cross the route extends onward either to London's Telecom Tower and other UK premises using Kingston's extensive national fibre network, or to further destinations such as North and South America, via Kingston's transatlantic fibre and satellite infrastructure. Early take-up of the service has been strong and includes a major US news broadcaster.<br /><br />*******************************************************************<br /><br />New KVH Tracphone F77 Connects Ocean-going Vessels to Internet and Corporate Intranets at Super-fast ISDN Speed<br /><br />(21 May 2002) The KVH Tracphone F77 is fully compatible with Inmarsat's new Fleet service, which provides high-quality voice connections as well as data connections at speeds up to 64 kb/s.<br /><br />Tracphone F77 offers five communications options to suit a variety of requirements:<br /><br /> pay-by-the-bit mobile packet data service (MPDS);<br />* pay-per-minute mobile Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN);<br />* affordable mini-M voice service;<br />* high-speed, optimum quality voice service; and<br />* 3.1 kHz audio.<br /><br />Designed for short-burst data transmissions, MPDS is perfect for receiving e-mail, logging onto and working within a company Intranet, or browsing the web. And with its pay-by-the-bit pricing, users are charged only for the amount of the data sent and received, not by connection time. As a result, a vessel can remain connected via e-mail or the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no additional cost. The high-capacity mobile ISDN channel provides a constant data stream at speeds as fast as 64 kb/s, making G4 fax service, video conferencing, and transmitting large files and images, fast and easy. ISDN usage is charged on a per-minute basis. The 3.1 kHz audio channel provides a high-speed analogue connection for G3, 14.4 kHz fax and the capability to connect a personal computer at 28.8 kb/s through the internal modem in the PC.<br /><br />With its fully stabilised antenna and high-impact dome, Tracphone F77 is equipped to withstand the rigorous conditions of life at sea. The Tracphone F77 package includes the antenna, a transceiver, and a telephone handset and cradle. The system's transceiver serves as the hub for all on-line communication via the ship's telephone networks and fax machines. Connected to an IP router, Tracphone F77 can link all shipboard computers to onshore web- based systems, including e-mail and Internet services. With its "always on- line" MPDS capability, Tracphone F77 can turn a ship into a fully operational node in a company's world-wide network.<br /><br />********************************************************************<br /><br />SkyStream Unveils First All-Inclusive Video Networking Platform for Broadband<br /><br />(20 May 2002) SkyStream Networks has unveiled the Mediaplex 20 Video Services Router, the industry's first all-inclusive platform for service providers and carriers to deliver advanced video services to consumers and businesses over existing broadband networks.<br /><br />Mediaplex 20's wide range of video and data processing capabilities and broadcast level security architecture, enable service providers to bring broadcast, on demand and interactive television services to market faster and more cost-effectively, with security than currently available solutions.<br /><br />SkyStream's Mediaplex dramatically reduces the capital and operating expenses typically associated with the delivery of advanced digital video services, enabling faster rollout of high-margin video services to consumers and businesses. Mediaplex 20 is built on a modular, carrier-class chassis with a unique distributed architecture, which significantly increases the efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of large-scale delivery of video and data streams.<br /><br />The SkyStream Mediaplex 20 platform includes several patented and patent-pending technological breakthroughs to assure non-stop high quality video delivery over diverse networks. One large US-based and one Europe-based telecommunications company and several systems integrators, including Sony Electronics Inc's Systems Solutions Division and Imagine Broadband, are evaluating the Mediaplex 20 for deployment in their networks or with their service provider customers.<br /><br />In addition, more than a dozen technology companies from the set-top box, middleware, video headend and broadband networking equipment industries have announced their support for SkyStream's latest solution for video delivery over broadband.<br /><br />SkyStream designed the Mediaplex 20 to pave the way for service providers to deliver new video services more quickly and cost-effectively via several technology innovations. These innovations enable service providers to leverage their existing network capacity and deliver services with the highest levels of scalability, redundancy and security in today's marketplace.<br /><br />The Mediaplex OS (MPOS) is the routing engine and the heart of SkyStream's Mediaplex product, featuring several patent-pending technologies in the areas of QoS, redundancy, reliability and high-performance video routing and switching. MPOS also enables service providers to create real-time, non-stop video and data services.<br /><br />The Mediaplex Management Console (MPMC) enables real-time monitoring and management of all modules, ports and functions, providing comprehensive control over all aspects of the device. The MPMC features an easy to use, Web-based interface for configuration and diagnostics of the chassis.<br /><br />The Mediaplex platform supports the delivery of the following applications: residential and business broadcast TV services, Movies on Demand, Pay Per View, Interactive TV, video-powered enterprise communication services, video backhaul services, and video over IP for multiple dwelling units (MDUs) and multi tenant office (MTUs) facilities. Located in the video head-end of a carrier or phone company or satellite operator, SkyStream's Mediaplex offers a wide range of video and data processing capabilities that achieve several industry milestones in cost, performance, reliability, management and security.<br /><br />Built on a chassis-based architecture to ensure maximum flexibility, reliability and scalability, Mediaplex 20's customisable architecture allows service providers to add functionality such as real-time MPEG encoding, video program switching or multiplexing as they need it to meet the precise needs of their network and service mixture. This high-density system was designed for space-constrained data centre and telco racks, and includes hot swappable modules for fast, efficient and reliable deployment and management of advanced video services.<br /><br />The Mediaplex 20 video services router will be available in June of this year directly from SkyStream Networks and authorised distribution partners.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />PEOPLE<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Boeing Space and Communications Strengthens European Presence<br /><br />(22 May 2002) The Boeing Co has named Paul van IJsselstein as vice president business development for Europe.<br /><br />A 25-year aerospace veteran, van IJsselstein will be based in Amsterdam in the Boeing office at Schiphol Airport. In his new role, van IJsselstein will lead Boeing Space and Communications business development activities in Europe.<br /><br />Before joining Boeing, van IJsselstein served with the Dutch Navy and held positions with Fokker Space and Thales in Australia. van IJsselstein will report to Space and Communications headquarters in Seal Beach.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Connexion by Boeing Names CFO<br /><br />(23 May 2002) The Boeing Company has announced that Curt Nohavec, 49, has been named chief financial officer for Connexion by Boeing.<br /><br />A 25-year Boeing veteran, Nohavec previously served as director of Finance for the Technical Services and Modifications business within Boeing Commercial Airplanes, to which he was appointed in November 2001. In that role, he was responsible for the financial management of the organisation, including estimating and pricing, cost management, and financial planning activities.<br /><br />Nohavec received his undergraduate degree in Finance, and his master's degree from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. He also attended the Executive Development Program at the University of Illinois.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Infosat Telecommunications Names John P. Robertson President and CEO<br /><br />(21 May 2002) John P Robertson has been appointed as president and CEO of Infosat Telecommunications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telesat. Robertson's mandate is to strengthen Infosat's position as Canada's leading satellite telecommunications system integrator and provider, and to aggressively grow the company's business into new markets.<br /><br />Robertson, who has over 18 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, is moving to Infosat from Unity Wireless Corp. where he was president and CEO. Previously, he was executive vice-president of Glentel Corp and executive vice-president of Uniden Canada Corp.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Taylor Named President and CEO of Ball Aerospace<br /><br />(22 May 2002) Ball Corporation has announced that on June 1, David L Taylor will become president and chief executive officer of Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp, the company's aerospace and technologies subsidiary. Donald W Vanlandingham, president and CEO of Ball Aerospace since 1996, will become chairman of its board at that time and will serve in that position until his retirement at the end of this year.<br /><br />Taylor, 50, has served as senior vice president and chief operating officer for Ball Aerospace since January 2001. Taylor, who has been with the company for 18 years, led a recent change in Ball Aerospace's strategic direction and a resulting corporate reorganisation. Prior to his role as COO, he was vice president, commercial space operations, an organisation he led from inception in 1995 to the successful completion of innovative projects such as imaging satellites QuikSCAT for NASA and QuickBird for DigitalGlobe. Taylor's 25-year career spans commercial aviation, commercial fixed-price, government cost reimbursable, and international commercial communications business. He has held executive positions in US and foreign aerospace companies.<br /><br />Vanlandingham, 62, has served as president and CEO of Ball Aerospace since 1996. Previously, he was vice president electro-optical subsystems from 1991 to 1996, and served in numerous other technical and management positions during his 35 years of service.<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. 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 and unsubscribe go to: http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/subscribe.html<br /><br />********************************************************************<br /><br />Copyright 2002 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