Microcom's Space Newsfeed 16 November 2003<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Web resources from Microcom Systems:<br /><br />Satellite Industry Links: the largest free satellite and space industry directory on the web http://www.satellite-links.co.uk<br /><br />Satellite on the Net: white papers, industry events, launch information and space bookshop http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk<br /><br />Jobs in Space: space industry recruitment http://www.space-jobs.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Advertise on Microcom's websites and reach over 25,000 space and satellite industry professionals each month. http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/ratecard.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />New from Microcom - commercial web hosting, website design and implementation, website management and maintenance, DomainSafe: safeguarding unwanted domain names<br /><br />For more information: http://microcomsystems.co.uk/microcom/webservices.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Contents<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms:<br />HNS Secures US$ 25M Broadband Contract with Ethiopia Telecom <br />Integral Systems Wins NASA DASS Antenna Contract<br />Norsat Supplies Equipment for Broadband Project in China<br />PlayStream Partners with Fisher Pathways for Live Web Casting<br />Singapore Airlines Selects Connexion by Boeing for In-Flight Connectivity<br /><br />Earth Observation:<br />Lockheed Martin to Perform Advanced Architecture Study for NOAA'S GOES-R Program<br />Monitoring Sub-centimetre Land Motion with Radarsat-1<br /><br />Navigation:<br />Long Beach Uses GPS Vehicle Tracking System to Help Manage Vehicle Fleets<br /><br />Technology:<br />BAE Systems Modernises Radiation Hardening Capability<br />South Korea Selects MTS for Satellite Test System<br /><br />Launch Services:<br />LaBarge Awarded Atlas V Contract<br />NASA Exercises Delta II Contract Option For STEREO<br /><br />Launches:<br />Zhongxing-20<br /><br />Business:<br />Liberty Media Completes Acquisition of Liberty Satellite and Technology<br />PanAmSat Expands Global Satellite/Fibre Hybrid Network<br />SpaceDev Auctioning Microsatellite Mission On eBay<br />Speedus Announces Globalstar Offer<br />StarBand Communications Cleared to Exit Bankruptcy<br /><br />Products and Services:<br />Iowa Thin Film Technologies Announces PowerFilm Photovoltaics Products<br />Telenor Launches Fleet F55<br /><br />People:<br />Andrew Corporation Appoints VP and GM Satellite Communications<br />Leadership Change at SeaSpace Corporation<br />NASA Names New Stennis Space Center Director and Deputy Director<br />Rudolphi Named NASA Space Shuttle Propulsion Manager<br />Warren Brown Joins iDirect Technologies<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SMi's Global MILSATCOM<br />24th and 25th November 2003<br />Radisson SAS, Portman Hotel, London<br /><br />SMi's Fifth Annual Global MILSATCOM Conference brings together an international line-up of speakers to analyse current requirements and projects along with future developments in the field of Military Satellite Communications. For further details and to download a conference brochure and registration form, please visit: www.smi-online.co.uk/milsatcom3.asp<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 />HNS Secures US$ 25M Broadband Contract with Ethiopia Telecom <br /><br />(13 November 2003) Hughes Network Systems Inc (HNS) will supply Ethiopia Telecommunications Corporation (ETC) with a comprehensive DirecWay broadband satellite network. One of the first projects under this US$ 25 million contract is a national distance learning network, SchoolNet, connecting schools across Ethiopia.<br /><br />In addition to linking Ethiopian schools, ETC will utilise the DirecWay network to provide a wide range of value-added applications, including video conferencing, distance learning, Internet/intranet access and VoIP voice solutions, to a variety of government, private enterprise and financial customers.<br /><br />Ato Tesfaye Biru, managing director of Ethiopia Telecommunications Corporation said "Satellite is the only solution that allows us to provide digital, always-on, reliable service no matter where our customers are. The DirecWay broadband satellite solution allows Ethiopia to expand its national commitment to provide quality education to all our students by reaching our 28.7 million school age children nation-wide with the latest in educational tools."<br /><br />Given the limited municipal infrastructure that exists in some areas of Ethiopia, many of the remote terminals will be powered by solar energy, capitalising on a resource that is abundant in Ethiopia-sunshine.<br /><br />Network installation began in June and is scheduled for completion by year end 2004.<br /><br />(source: Hughes Network Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Integral Systems Wins NASA DASS Antenna Contract<br /><br />(10 November 2003) NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center has awarded the DASS (Distress Alerting Satellite System) Antenna System contract to Integral Systems Inc's Antenna Systems Division. The competitively won award includes delivery of four 4.27m full motion tracking antennas for receiving rescue beacon signals that are relayed through GPS and low earth orbiting weather satellites. The DASS Antenna Systems are fully automated and will be located on the roof of Building 28 at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.<br /><br />DASS is a national program that will use GPS satellites to relay distress signals from maritime, aviation, and land-based beacons. The DASS Local User Terminal being developed at GSFC will initially support the proof-of-concept phase for the DASS System Development and will become part of the operational system.<br /><br />(source: Integral Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Norsat Supplies Equipment for Broadband Project in China<br /><br />(11 November 2003) Dynamic Engineers Inc purchased an additional 350 Norsat VSAT transceivers as Phase-2 of an ongoing project totalling US$ 1.5M dollars to date. The transceivers are being used as part of a program to deliver broadband communications to remote regions in China.<br /><br />Dynamic Engineers is a privately owned international electronic component distributor specialising in RF communication packages that first started employing the Norsat transceivers in their broadband VSAT terminals in 2001.<br /><br />(source: Norsat International)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />PlayStream Partners with Fisher Pathways for Live Web Casting<br /><br />(12 November 2003) PlayStream, a leading streaming media service provider, has partnered with Fisher Pathways, the largest video switching hub in the Pacific Northwest, to offer satellite and fibre connection services to enhance its live Web cast service offering.<br /><br />Customers with content originating from satellite or through one of the popular fibre connection services, Vyvx or Sonic Telecom, are now able to deliver this content over the Internet in all major popular streaming media formats. Previously, PlayStream had only offered connection services via teleconferencing or the Web. The alliance with Fisher Pathways expands PlayStream's connection service offering for live Web casts, which will empower many industries with an easier way to implement streaming media technologies into their communication strategies.<br /><br />PlayStream's location in Fisher Plaza, one of the Northwest's most advanced communications and connectivity hub, enables PlayStream to directly tie-in via fibre with other telecommunication carriers to expand its streaming media service offerings. The alliance with Fisher Pathways is one more benefit of PlayStream's relocation into this modern high tech facility.<br /><br />Live Web cast events delivered using one of these connection services will benefit from PlayStream's distributed network which enhances performance and reliability.<br /><br />PlayStream provides content delivery services for over 2,000 businesses and consumers world-wide. PlayStream's proprietary media linking technology empowers customers with rich capabilities to play, manage and monitor audio, video, and multimedia content over the Internet. What is unique about PlayStream's services is that they integrate the Industry's most popular media formats with PlayStream's proprietary technology and robust online management tools, to provide customers with a powerful level of simplicity and rich features for delivering media over the Web.<br /><br />Fisher Pathways is the largest video switching hub in the Pacific Northwest with a fully redundant, owned and operated teleport providing unmatched global connectivity. Fisher Pathways' distribution capabilities include domestic and international fibre, and satellite. Fisher Pathways is a broad-based service provider to broadcast, telecommunications and enterprise customers alike. Fisher Pathways is located at Fisher Plaza. This state-of-the-art facility was engineered from the ground up to specialise in carrier neutral data centre hosting and service provider co-location.<br /><br />(source: PlayStream)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Singapore Airlines Selects Connexion by Boeing for In-Flight Connectivity<br /><br />(11 November 2003) Singapore Airlines (SIA) has selected Connexion by Boeing as its provider of choice for high-speed Internet-based communications on board. The letter of intent agreement calls for the Connexion by Boeing mobile information service to be installed on 40 of SIA's long-haul jetliners with an undisclosed number of options for additional service installations.<br /><br />Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.<br /><br />This technology will enable SIA's customers to tap into broadband services that will allow them to surf the Internet, send and receive emails and view up to 12 broadcast television channels.<br /><br />Installation of the service is expected to begin by the third quarter of 2004 and launched on commercial services shortly thereafter.<br /><br />SIA plans to offer the Connexion by Boeing broadband service on all long- haul flights. SIA's in-flight entertainment system - KrisWorld - offers over 200 entertainment options that include 29 blockbuster movies, more than 60 hours of short features, up to 150 CD albums and 12 audio channels, over 30 games from the Nintendo Game Boy series, interactive multi-player games like mahjong, and news from around the world. As of 1 November, SIA's operating fleet includes passenger aircraft consisting of 30 Boeing 747 and 51 Boeing 777 airliners.<br /><br />(source: Connexion by Boeing)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Earth Observation<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Lockheed Martin to Perform Advanced Architecture Study for NOAA'S GOES-R Program<br /><br />(13 November 2003) Lockheed Martin has been awarded a US$ 2.5 million contract by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to execute an End-to-End Architecture Study of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R) program.<br /><br />The Architecture Study covers work in four task areas: Space and Launch, C3, Product Generation and Distribution, and End-to-End Integration. Its purpose is to assist NOAA in identifying system architecture alternatives, refining known designs, uncovering innovative, integrated architectures, and leveraging potential opportunistic technologies that may provide increased weather and environmental forecasting capabilities at increased mission cost savings.<br /><br />At the conclusion of these studies, NOAA will modify its requirement for the GOES-R space, launch, command and control, and data production segments to help reduce future design, development, cost and schedule risks. The study results will ensure that viable architectural options are available to integrate the meteorological data acquired from space remote sensors, with the ground acquisition systems, and link it to the ultimate products delivered to the users.<br /><br />Data from NOAA's GOES spacecraft provide short-term advance weather warning products to the commercial, educational, and public sectors to protect lives, property and the environment, and to foster economic growth and promote educational research. The future GOES-R mission is expected to improve the quality and timeliness of its forecasts, expanding the safety and economic security of the public.<br /><br />(source: Lockheed Martin)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Monitoring Sub-centimetre Land Motion with Radarsat-1<br /><br />(10 November 2003) Using data collected from Radarsat-1, Tele-Rilevamento Europa (T.R.E.) of Italy is creating Differential and Permanent Scatterer InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) land motion products for end-clients in Italy. These products map small-scale movement at the Earth's surface - in the order of millimetre accuracy - and reveal areas prone to land slippage, flooding, subsidence, and volcano or earthquake activity.<br /><br />This T.R.E. InSAR project was finalised through Eurimage, the Italian Radarsat-1 distributor. In total, 2000 Radarsat-1 images are being collected over Italy to create an InSAR database of the entire country. In addition, InSAR data will be repeatedly collected over major Italian urban areas for monitoring purposes. This will be the first interferometric data set of Radarsat-1 images at a national level. To date, over 1200 Radarsat-1 images have been acquired.<br /><br />With it's 24-day repeat cycle, Radarsat-1 collects the same image over the same location every 24 days. This type of data collection is required for InSAR work. The frequency of the satellite orbit provides the client with far more images than currently available from other radar satellites such as ERS or Envisat which operate on 35-day repeat cycles.<br /><br />In addition, Radarsat-1 is currently the only viable commercial satellite to collect data that is suitable for InSAR applications. In March 2001, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), who owns and operates Radarsat-1, implemented a new procedure whereby the orbit of the satellite is maintained at +/- 2 km. This strict orbit configuration ensures that the data collected by Radarsat-1 can be used to create InSAR products.<br /><br />To produce INSAR products, two images of the same area are acquired within 1 or more orbit cycles of each other. The satellite must be maintained in a tight orbit so that the geographic location of the second scene doesn't shift horizontally from that of the first. By removing elevation from the phase difference between the two images, subtle changes in land or object movement can be detected. TRE uses a more advanced form of InSAR (Differential and Permanent Scatterer InSAR) which produce highly accurate results.<br /><br />(source: Radarsat International)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Navigation<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Long Beach Uses GPS Vehicle Tracking System to Help Manage Vehicle Fleets<br /><br />(12 November 2003) Radio Satellite Integrators Inc (RSI) has completed the initial phase of a multi-agency Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system for the City of Long Beach. To better manage department vehicles throughout the entire city, Long Beach turned to RSI to design this one-of-a-kind, city wide vehicle tracking solution.<br /><br />The first phase of the system has been installed for Long Beach Energy - the newly formed merger of the Long Beach Gas and Electric Department and the Public Works Department. The vehicle tracking system is currently operating in nearly 100 vehicles for Solid Waste Collection and Street Sweeper vehicles and will be expanded to parking enforcement, Long Beach Unified School District, and Long Beach Fire Departments in the near future. Each agency will track their own fleet on individual interfaces to the AVL system, but will utilise the same central backbone. This arrangement will effectively provide the city with multiple AVL systems but drastically lower "per vehicle costs" by sharing infrastructure. Also unique to this AVL system is the use of the 220MHz radio frequency, which will provide the communications network for the system.<br /><br />(source: Radio Satellite Integrators)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Technology<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />BAE Systems Modernises Radiation Hardening Capability<br /><br />(11 November 2003) The first 0.25 micron radiation-hardened transistor has been fabricated at BAE Systems newly upgraded microelectronics fabrication facility at Manassas, Virginia.<br /><br />Previously, BAE Systems produced the RAD6000 processor chip. It contained more than one million transistors. With the foundry upgrade, BAE Systems will be building the RAD750 processor chip which will contain more than 11 million transistors.<br /><br />US national security is increasingly dependent on space systems. Communications networks, surveillance capabilities and navigation systems rely heavily on satellites. A new generation of BAE Systems radiation-hardened electronics - more than ten times more capable than predecessors - will help to ensure that satellites launched over the next decade can both survive the rigors of space and meet the needs of national defence.<br /><br />The 0.25 micron transistor was produced following the initial stage of the Manassas foundry upgrade. The foundry renovation will be completed in 2004 with the support of the US Defense Department's (DoD) Accelerated Radiation Hardened Microelectronics Program. Initiated in 2001, the DoD program ensures highly specialised, radiation hardened components will continue to be available for future generations of US. space systems. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), in partnership with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), manages the program.<br /><br />The $91 million foundry upgrade consists of two co-ordinated projects. The first, managed by DTRA, establishes the complex semiconductor fabrication process. The second project, managed by AFRL, upgrades the tools and equipment that run the processes and physically fabricate the radiation hardened chips.<br /><br />(source: BAe Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />South Korea Selects MTS for Satellite Test System<br /><br />(11 November 2003) The Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), which spearheads the South Korean national space program, has selected MTS Systems Corp to provide test and data acquisition systems for KARI's recently commissioned test facility. KARI's new state-of-the-art acoustic and vibration certification test facility will host future launch environment certification projects in Korea.<br /><br />MTS' proven suite of noise and vibration solutions will provide the foundation for the new facilities' test system. The solutions provide the broadest range of sophisticated high-performance data collection, structural dynamic analysis, sound quality, acoustics and modal analysis functionality available today in a single, integrated package.<br /><br />MTS' test systems integrate best-in-class data acquisition hardware from today's leading providers of electronics, including National Instruments, Sony Precision Technology and VXI Technologies. The core of the data acquisition instrumentation MTS will supply KARI is based on National Instrument's PXI- 4472 product, an eight-channel dynamic signal acquisition module for making high-accuracy frequency-domain measurements.<br /><br />The Korean government has selected Space Technology (ST) as one of the six national technologies (6T) and has drawn up the National Technology Road Map, in which the ST is categorised as national strategic technology and for elevating Korean national status on the global stage. The contributions and activities at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute focus on research and development of aircraft, artificial satellites and rockets, and also include type certification of aircraft and quality assurance for space products.<br /><br />(source: MTS Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launch Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />LaBarge Awarded Atlas V Contract<br /><br />(10 November 2003) Lockheed Martin has awarded LaBarge Inc a US$ 6.6 million contract to produce complex wire harnesses for the Atlas V launch vehicle. The Company anticipates options for additional work.<br /><br />For more than a decade, LaBarge has made wire harnesses for the Atlas family of launch vehicles, which take into orbit satellites for both government and commercial customers. The Atlas V is Lockheed Martin's newest, most advanced launch vehicle.<br /><br />Under the terms of the contract, LaBarge will produce wire harnesses that transport electronic signals between all the launch vehicle's systems, from the vehicle computer to its payload portion, as well as ground control cables that send communication signals between the rocket and mission control.<br /><br />Production, which will take place in Berryville, Arkansas, is expected to begin in January 2004 and continue through the end of 2006.<br /><br />(source: LaBarge)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Exercises Delta II Contract Option For STEREO<br /><br />(14 November 2003) NASA is exercising a contract option for a Delta II vehicle to launch STEREO for the Office of Space Science Solar Terrestrial Probes (STP) Program. The spacecraft is planned for launch Nov. 15, 2005, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Florida.<br /><br />This firm-fixed-price option is covered under the NASA Launch Services Contract awarded by the agency on June 16, 2000. The contract is with Delta Launch Services Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company.<br /><br />The STEREO mission will provide revolutionary views of the Sun-Earth system and contain two spacecraft. The first will lead and the second will lag the Earth in its orbit. STEREO is designed to trace the flow of energy and matter from the sun to the Earth; reveal the true three-dimensional structure of enormous eruptions of matter from the sun, called coronal mass ejections; and show why they happen. STEREO is also designed to provide unique alerts for Earth-directed solar ejections.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launches<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Zhongxing-20<br /><br />Launched: 15 November 2003<br />Site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, southwest China<br />Launcher: Long March 3 A<br />Orbit: GEO, 103° E<br />International Number: 2003-052A<br />Name: Zhongxing-20<br />Contractor: China Academy of Space Technology, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp<br /><br />Zhongxing-20 is a Chinese communications satellite.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Liberty Media Completes Acquisition of Liberty Satellite and Technology<br /><br />(12 November 2003) Liberty Media Corporation has completed its acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of Liberty Satellite and Technology Inc (LSAT) that it did not already own.<br /><br />Each LSAT stockholder, other than Liberty Media, will receive 0.2750 shares of Liberty Media Series A common stock for each share of LSAT Series A or Series B common stock held. Liberty Media will issue approximately 1.8 million shares of Liberty Media Series A common stock to the LSAT shareholders.<br /><br />The transaction was accomplished through a merger of Liberty Satellite Acquisition Co., a newly formed controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media, with and into LSAT, with LSAT as the surviving corporation in the merger. The merger was taxable to the LSAT shareholders.<br /><br />Liberty Satellite and Technology, Inc., known as LSAT, pursues strategic opportunities world-wide in the distribution of Internet data and other content via satellite and related businesses. Through its majority-owned subsidiary, On Command Corporation, LSAT is a leading provider of in-room movies, broadband access and other entertainment and business services to the hotel industry. LSAT also holds strategic ownership positions in a range of video programming, satellite-delivered broadband distribution and satellite communication businesses, including Wildblue Communications, Astrolink International, and Sky Latin America. LSAT is a consolidated subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation.<br /><br />(source: Liberty Media)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />PanAmSat Expands Global Satellite/Fibre Hybrid Network<br /><br />(13 November 2003) PanAmSat Corporation has announced the acquisition of Sonic Telecom Ltd, a provider of international high-definition multimedia transmission services and business applications.<br /><br />The all-cash transaction will extend and enhance the reach of PanAmSat's 24-satellite global fleet and its extensive fibre network throughout the US, Europe and Asia. As a result, the integration of Sonic Telecom to the PanAmSat infrastructure will provide customers with a seamless satellite/fibre network that will deliver video content virtually to or from anywhere in the world in a cost-efficient, secure manner with robust redundancy.<br /><br />The Sonic Telecom acquisition is the second phase of PanAmSat's hybrid satellite/fibre strategy. In April 2003, PanAmSat entered into an agreement with Level 3 Communications Inc, to utilize its 20,000-mile broadband fibre optic network and create a virtual teleport. By connecting PanAmSat's satellite uplink facilities to one of the world's most advanced terrestrial networks, customers are now able to access the fleet from any Level 3 network location.<br /><br />Sonic Telecom brings to PanAmSat its customer base of multi-national broadcasters and corporate videoconferencing users, related network management capabilities, a usage-based billing platform and access to an established international fibre network. In addition, PanAmSat gains access to an additional 20 points of presence (PoPs) around the world that are complementary to its existing network. Situated across the US, Europe and Asia, these co-location sites provide PanAmSat with an immediate expanded presence in key markets.<br /><br />Sonic Telecom and PanAmSat already share a number of common customers including CNN, ABC, Reuters and the NFL. These customers and many others will now enjoy access to a broader array of services as well as a single point of contact for all their video distribution content needs, whether in the air or on the ground. In addition, G2, PanAmSat's government services division, will also be able to leverage PanAmSat's expanded hybrid satellite/fibre network to support many defence and homeland security applications.<br /><br />(source: PanAmSat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SpaceDev Auctioning Microsatellite Mission On eBay<br /><br />(11 November 2003) SpaceDev is auctioning a world exclusive private space mission on eBay. This first of its kind eBay auction is being listed for the ten-day period of 8:00 pm (PST) Monday, November 10, through 8:00 pm (PST) Thursday, November 20th.<br /><br />The SpaceDev space mission auction is at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2572382454&category=45046&rd=1<br /><br />Most earth orbiting small satellite missions can cost US$ 25 million or more, not including the launch. To demonstrate the affordability of private space missions, SpaceDev has posted a “Buy it Now” price of US$ 9.5 million. The high bidder will win a spacecraft based on SpaceDev’s Maneuvering and orbit Transfer Vehicle (MTV).<br /><br />The high bidder has the right to supply his or her own payload, to name the SpaceDev MTV satellite and to name the mission. The winning bidder, which could be an individual, company or government agency, can also be involved in the mission design, satellite assembly and testing (including putting small personal items on the spacecraft), can attend the launch, and can participate in on-orbit operations.<br /><br />The nominal payload is a camera that provides a view of the launch separation on-orbit, a buyer-controlled camera on the spacecraft looking back down on earth and into space 24 hours a day, or the buyer can supply a SpaceDev-approved payload. The microsatellite camera can be operated over the Internet by the winning bidder, similar to SpaceDev’s CHIPSat microsat, which is the world’s first orbiting node on the Internet. Specific terms are included in the eBay auction listing. Search eBay for “SpaceDev.”<br /><br />(source: SpaceDev)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Speedus Announces Globalstar Offer<br /><br />(14 November 2003) Speedus Corp has announced that it has made a proposal to acquire all of the assets and operations of Globalstar. Terms are confidential because of the competitive nature of the bankruptcy sale process.<br /><br />Globalstar is a leading provider of global mobile satellite telecommunications services, offering both voice and data services from virtually anywhere in over 100 countries around the world.<br /><br />On February 15, 2002, Globalstar and certain of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Globalstar and its debtor subsidiaries remain in possession of their assets and properties and continue to operate their businesses as debtors-in-possession.<br /><br />In the event that the proposal by Speedus Corp. is accepted, the closing of the transaction would be subject to a number of conditions, including FCC and Bankruptcy Court approval, and there is no assurance that the transaction would close.<br /><br />(source: Speedus)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />StarBand Communications Cleared to Exit Bankruptcy<br /><br />(13 November 2003) StarBand has received approval from the US Bankruptcy Court in Delaware to emerge from Chapter 11 protection. This is the final clearance required from the bankruptcy court for StarBand to implement its reorganisation plan. The effective date of the emergence should occur by the end of November.<br /><br />The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 31, 2002 following a major dispute with a strategic partner. Through settlement of this dispute, renegotiations of key contracts, reductions in staffing offset by increased automation, creation of a new sales force and continued addition of new customers, StarBand is poised to emerge a stronger, more financially stable company.<br /><br />Despite the challenges of operating while in Chapter 11, StarBand launched improved services such as the new commercial-grade StarBand 480 Pro service with faster speeds, an integrated 4-port Ethernet router and compatibility with most operating systems, new residential service plans with pricing as low as US$ 39.99 per month, and an extended service protection plan providing post-manufacturer's warranty hardware replacement and repair reimbursement.<br /><br />The company's capital structure has significantly improved with the conversion of approximately US$ 113 million of bank debt to equity. In addition, approximately US$ 90 million of debt to Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd will convert to equity and a US$ 14 million post-emergence note. Further, StarBand and Gilat have entered into a new technology and hardware supply agreement providing for US$ 7.5 million in additional financing.<br /><br />(source: StarBand Communications)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Iowa Thin Film Technologies Announces PowerFilm Photovoltaics Products<br /><br />(11 November 2003) Iowa Thin Film Technologies Inc has announced the formal launch of its PowerFilm Air and Space Series products for solar powering and recharging air and space vehicles.<br /><br />PowerFilm is a disruptive technology for air and space power. It is lightweight, durable, and low cost. It can reduce up to 90% the cost of photovoltaics for air and space power.<br /><br />Iowa Thin Film Technologies is working with Lockheed Martin (LMT) on the Pentagon's High Altitude Airship (HAA) program. A completed high altitude airship would be powered by photovoltaics and used for US border control, and could be used to monitor incoming enemy missiles and overseas combat zones. The prototype airship would be stationed at 65,000 feet (12 miles) and is planned to be about 500 feet long and 160 feet in diameter.<br /><br />The company also has a development program with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Kirtland Air Force Base to continue to improve the low-cost, lightweight solar products for air and space applications.<br /><br />PowerFilm products are semiconductor devices deposited on a paper-thin, durable, flexible polymer substrate. PowerFilm solar panels are monolithically integrated which improves durability and reduces cost by eliminating the need for costly and failure-prone manual connection of individual solar cells. Modules are manufactured on the company's proprietary roll-to-roll manufacturing technology platform. PowerFilm has a positive environmental profile: amorphous silicon is the semiconductor absorber layer, and it is cadmium-free. PowerFilm is manufactured and assembled in the USA.<br /><br />Iowa Thin Film Technologies has supplied PowerFilm to NASA for several projects, including the Mars Flyer prototype and fly-by-light demonstrations of unmanned aerial vehicles.<br /><br />(source: Iowa Thin Film Technologies)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Telenor Launches Fleet F55<br /><br />(11 November 2003) Telenor Satellite Services has announced the commercial launch of Telenor Fleet F55, the first high-speed data solution available for coastal and regional vessels and large yachts.<br /><br />The company also announced that it plans to commercially launch the third member of the Inmarsat Fleet family, Fleet F33, by the end of November.<br /><br />The two new services provide small to medium-sized vessels a powerful communications solution incorporating global voice and a range of data and fax services.<br /><br />Telenor Fleet F55 service offers maritime customers high-speed data communications, at up to 64 kb/s, in smaller equipment suitable for smaller vessels. F55 service provides users the flexibility of mobile ISDN and Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS), where users pay for the amount of information sent and received rather than for the amount of airtime.<br /><br />Fleet F55 delivers fast e-mail, Internet and intranet access, image and video communications, along with the added service benefit of "always on" connectivity and immediate communications for users opting to use the mobile packet data service.<br /><br />Telenor's Fleet F33 brings the benefit of global voice and advanced data communications to leisure boats, fishing vessels, and other small vessels that before were unable to enjoy a complete array of satellite communications due to equipment size and weight. In addition to global digital calling, Fleet F33 provides a variety of data services at speeds up to 9.6kbps and Telenor and Inmarsat plan to offer mobile packet data service for F33 in the future.<br /><br />Telenor has also enhanced its Fleet F77 service by adding a new cost-effective 9.6 data and fax capability to its mix of offerings.<br /><br />Telenor was among the first Inmarsat service providers to commercially offer Fleet F77 service in April 2002.<br /><br />(source: Telenor)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />People<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Andrew Corporation Appoints VP and GM Satellite Communications<br /><br />(11 November 2003) Joan M Byrnes has joined Andrew Corporation in the newly created role of Vice President and General Manager, Satellite Communications. In this position, she will be responsible for managing Andrew Corporation's global satellite communications lines of business.<br /><br />Byrnes was the former Chief Operating Officer at Loral Skynet, a division of Loral Space & Communications, where she had responsibility for marketing, sales, business operations, and profitability for Loral Skynet's product lines.<br /><br />Prior to the acquisition of AT&T Skynet Satellite Services by Loral Space & Communications, Joan held a number of senior positions within AT&T, including leadership roles in strategic planning and business development, product management, business network sales, and network operations.<br /><br />Joan serves on the board of directors of the Society for Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), a non-profit satellite association dedicated to providing a forum for increasing awareness and professionalism in the satellite industry, and is their current chairman. She is also on the advisory board for SATCON, a conference board focusing exclusively on applications of satellite technology for existing and emerging growth segments.<br /><br />Byrnes holds a BA degree in English from Montclair State University and an MBA from Rutgers University.<br /><br />(source: Andrew Corporation)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Leadership Change at SeaSpace Corporation<br /><br />(13 November 2003) The Allied Defense Group Inc has announces the appointment of Bruce Waddell as President of SeaSpace Corporation, and the planned retirement of current President, Linda Bernstein. SeaSpace manufactures TeraScan hardware and software products that provide customers with timely and accurate satellite-derived weather and environmental information. The transition is effective December 1, 2003.<br /><br />Mr. Waddell has been Allied's Vice President for Strategic Planning and Corporate Development since January 2001 and is a former Director. Previously, he was an executive with GE and Avery Dennison. He led the effort to bring SeaSpace into the Allied organization in 2002.<br /><br />Linda Bernstein, current President of SeaSpace Corporation, will retire after a distinguished sixteen-year career with the firm, as she requested when Allied acquired SeaSpace in July of 2002. SeaSpace founder Dr. Robert L. Bernstein will remain as Chief Technical Officer as planned.<br /><br />(source: Allied Defense Group)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Names New Stennis Space Center Director and Deputy Director<br /><br />(12 November 2003) NASA has announced the appointment of US Navy Rear Admiral Thomas Q. Donaldson, V as the Director, John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) effective January 5, 2004 and David Throckmorton as Deputy Director, effective December 1, 2003.<br /><br />Donaldson was the Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC), one of the 30 agencies onsite as part of the "federal city" at SSC. He was selected for rear admiral (lower half) in February 2000 and took command of NMOC in November 2000. In April 2001, he was designated Hydrographer of the Navy by the Chief of Naval Operations, representing US naval interests internationally.<br /><br />The deputy director at Stennis, Michael Rudolphi, has been interim director since May 2003. Rudolphi will move to the Marshall Space Flight Center where he will serve as manager of the Space Shuttle Propulsion Office.<br /><br />Donaldson graduated in 1975 from the US Naval Academy. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Physical Oceanography and Meteorology from the Naval Academy and a Master of Science degree in National Strategic Studies from the National War College, Washington.<br /><br />Throckmorton was the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) engineering directorate deputy director. He led a large, multidisciplinary workforce engaged in engineering design, analyses, development, and test in support of the broad array of NASA space flight programs.<br /><br />Throckmorton joined the MSFC staff in December 2000 as Deputy Manager of the Structures, Mechanics and Thermal Department. Previously, he was Manager, Space Transportation Programs Office, at NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC). He was responsible for LaRC space transportation-related technology development activities and program co-ordination within NASA, Department of Defense and industry organisations.<br /><br />He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and a Master of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the George Washington University, Washington. He has authored or co-authored more than 50 technical publications on the subjects of aerothermodynamics testing techniques and entry vehicle aerothermodynamics environment definition.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Rudolphi Named NASA Space Shuttle Propulsion Manager<br /><br />(12 November 2003) NASA's Space Shuttle Program Manager, William Parsons has announced that Michael Rudolphi has been named manager of the Space Shuttle Propulsion Office at NASA' s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Albama, effective December 1, 2003.<br /><br />Rudolphi replaces Alex McCool, who is serving as a Special Advisor to MSFC Director David King. Rudolphi served as the Interim Director at NASA's Stennis Space Center (SSC) since July 2003, managing NASA's rocket propulsion test capabilities and Earth Science applications.<br /><br />In his new position, Rudolphi assumes responsibility for the manufacture, assembly and operation of the primary Space Shuttle propulsion elements: the main engines, external tank, solid rocket boosters and reusable solid rocket motors.<br /><br />Rudolphi began his career with NASA at the Marshall Center in 1988 as Facility Manager for the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor Project. He managed the design, construction and operation of an ultra-modern rocket manufacturing facility. In 1995 he took a special assignment in the MSFC Resident Office at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. He returned to MSFC in 1996 as Chief Engineer of the Solid Rocket Booster Project. He later served as Solid Rocket Booster Project Manager and as Manager of the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor Project prior to becoming Deputy Director at SSC.<br /><br />Rudolphi received a bachelor's of science degree in civil engineering in 1971 and a master's of science degree in civil and structural engineering in 1975 from the University of Tennessee.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Warren Brown Joins iDirect Technologies<br /><br />(10 November 2003) iDirect Technologies, a privately held company that designs, develops, and markets bi-directional satellite-based broadband access solutions, has recruited Warren Brown, a veteran of The Boeing Company and McDonnell Douglas, and most recently director of marketing and corporate communications for Iridium Satellite LLC, to be its vice president of marketing and corporate communications.<br /><br />Mr. Brown brings to his new post more than 20 years of corporate awareness and business communications experience, including extensive global branding and marketing achievements with Fortune 25 companies as well as start-up ventures.<br /><br />Brown was responsible for establishing Iridium Satellite as a provider of global mobile satellite voice, paging and data solutions with complete coverage of the earth's oceans, airways and polar regions. By driving the development and execution of Iridium's marketing, image and awareness strategies, he played a critical role in attracting the necessary customer attention and garnering the proper exposure to help Iridium Satellite reach a financial milestone of cash break-even less than three years after the company was re-launched out of bankruptcy under new structure and ownership.<br /><br />Prior to joining Iridium, he had an extensive career with The Boeing Company where he was the director of advertising and international public relations. He was a key individual in the launch of multiple product and corporate awareness campaigns for The Boeing Company after its merger with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. He has also worked as the executive vice president and board member for Inflightonline, an aviation-based communications start-up company and also spent several years in senior level positions within the advertising industry.<br /><br />Brown holds a bachelor's degree in advertising design from California State University - Long Beach, as well as an MBA in Business Communications from Almeda University.<br /><br />(source: iDirect)<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 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 2003 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