Microcom's Space Newsfeed 7 December 2003

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Microcom's Space Newsfeed 7 December 2003 #713 Mon 08 Dec 2003 05:25: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 7 December 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://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/microcom/webservices.html<br /><br />******************************************************************<br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Contents<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms:<br />Americom Government Services Awarded FBI Satcom Network<br />Bechtel Signs Subcontract with Intelsat Government Solutions for Iraq Reconstruction<br />Broadcom Technology Selected By EchoStar's DISH Network Service<br />La Poste Extends Interactive Kiosk Network<br />Plenexis Chooses DirecWay Solution for Two-Way Broadband Services<br />Sirius 2 Beam Transfer<br />Telesat Deploys Dyband on its HSi Broadband Network<br />ViaSat VSATs to Monitor Pipeline for China National Petroleum Corporation<br /><br />Earth Observation:<br />Raytheon Team Awarded Study Contract by NOAA for GOES-R<br />Spectrum Astro Wins US$ 1m Contract to Support GOES-R Satellite Program<br /><br />Navigation:<br />Bidding for the Galileo Concession<br />CSI Wireless Receives Order for New GPS Automatic Steering System<br /><br />Military Space:<br />Integral Systems Delivers Command and Control System for DSCS III Satellites<br />Raytheon Team Wins MILSATCOM Network Contract<br />ViaSat Wins $30 Million Netherlands MIDS Award<br /><br />Science:<br />Metrologic to Provide Optical System for James Webb Space Telescope<br /><br />Technology:<br />RF Monolithics Technology Scheduled to Go to the ISS<br /><br />Launches:<br />NOS<br /><br />Business:<br />Gilat to Acquire All Shares of rStar Corporation<br />Hungary and the Czech Republic Sign ECS Agreements with ESA<br />SES Global Issues 4 Year Euro 300 Million Eurobond<br /><br />Products and Services:<br />AeroAstro Introduces $99 Satellite Data Transmitter<br />High-Density Packaging Solution Further Extends Actel's Reach<br />HNS Introduces New DirecWay Broadband Terminal to European Market<br />SkyWayconnect Announces Digital Video Service<br />T2C3 Mobile Satellite Receiver Communications Platform Now Available<br /><br />People:<br />ViaSat COO Rick Baldridge Appointed President<br /><br />******************************************************************<br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Bolton Associates - Corporate Strategies applies 21st. Century thinking for the Earth Observation, SatCom and Environment Industries that penetrate new markets using creative commercial Risk models and innovation.<br /><br />Visit us at http://www.BoltonAssociates.com and/or download our Power Point presentation http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/ads/EOConsult.ppt [131Kb]<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Space Bookshop - books for space professionals.<br />http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/bookshop.html<br /><br />******************************************************************<br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Americom Government Services Awarded FBI Satcom Network<br /><br />(2 December 2003) Americom Government Services Inc (AGS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES Americom, has been awarded a contract with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) through AGS' federal GSA schedule. AGS' solution for the FBI will include leased satellite capacity for a data communications network, which connects the agency's numerous sites across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.<br /><br />AGS' GSA schedule allows federal agencies to purchase satellite capacity on select spacecraft and up/down link services. The schedule also includes expert and regulatory support related to AGS satcom solutions, as well as the necessary engineering and consulting services such as network development and project implementation.<br /><br />(source: SES Americom)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Bechtel Signs Subcontract with Intelsat Government Solutions for Iraq Reconstruction<br /><br />(1 December 2003) Intelsat Government Solutions Corporation has been awarded a subcontract to provide a turnkey satellite communications system to support Bechtel National Inc’s involvement with the Iraq Infrastructure Reconstruction Program. Bechtel was originally awarded a contract with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in April 2003 in support of the Coalition Provisional Authority’s reconstruction program.<br /><br />The operational network utilises an Intelsat satellite and its newly operational Mountainside Teleport to interconnect Bechtel’s Iraqi reconstruction office in Baghdad with its termination point in the United States. Intelsat Government Solutions worked with its subcontractor DataPath, Inc, a company specialising in the design, provisioning, integration, installation, and testing of satellite communications based systems, to effectively implement the turnkey system.<br /><br />Under its contract with USAID, Bechtel is repairing, rehabilitating and reconstructing vital elements of Iraq’s infrastructure, including power generation and transmission, water and sewage treatment systems, airport facilities, the Umm Qasr seaport, schools, clinics, fire stations, bridges, rail lines and the telecommunications network.<br /><br />(source: Intelsat)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Broadcom Technology Selected By EchoStar's DISH Network Service<br /><br />(1 December 2003) EchoStar Communications Corp is using Broadcom Corporation's 8PSK (Phase Shift Keying) turbo code technology across EchoStar's newest line of DISH Network satellite TV receivers, including the DISH 111, DISH 311, DISH 322, Dish Player-DVR 522, DISH 811 and Dish Player-DVR 921 products.<br /><br />Broadcom's 8PSK turbo code is an advanced modulation and coding technology that increases information throughput by 35 percent in a given bandwidth or radio frequency link with no additional power requirements. This capability allows EchoStar's DISH Network to provide more programming services to subscribers using their current dish antennas. With the help of Broadcom turbo code technology in DISH Network's new line of satellite set-top boxes, DISH Network hopes to expand the wide variety of available video and audio programming to include local stations for additional geographic areas, international programming and bandwidth-hungry, high-definition TV programming.<br /><br />The BCM4500 is a highly integrated, all-digital satellite receiver that supports BPSK, QPSK, and 8PSK modulation, operating with both advanced modulation satellite systems and legacy QPSK systems. The advanced modulation turbo-code forward error correction (FEC) decoder delivers extremely high performance, approaching theoretical capacity limits, with no requirement for external RAM. This versatile receiver provides full variable rate operation from 1-30 Mbaud, providing multiple operating points for optimal system deployment. Other features include an integrated microcontroller for configuration, acquisition and performance monitoring, and a host interface that operates via a high-level application programmers' interface to reduce host software development time and simplify system integration.<br /><br />The BCM3440 Direct Conversion Satellite Tuner delivers superior performance for the direct broadcast satellite market, and offers all the advantages of standard logic CMOS process. The fact that the BCM3440 is fabricated in CMOS technology is significant because it is a widely available, cost-effective technology and provides a path for integration with other Broadcom satellite products.<br /><br />The BCM4500/BCM3440 chipset is available and is priced at US$ 20 for volume quantities. The BCM3440 is packaged in a 48-pin TQFP, while the BCM4500 is offered in a 128-pin MQFP. The BCM94500 Advanced Modulation reference design, which integrates the chipset, is available today for system evaluation, test and design.<br /><br />(source: Broadcom)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />La Poste Extends Interactive Kiosk Network<br /><br />(2 December 2003) La Poste of France is to extend its "Cyberkiosque" interactive information network. "Cyberkiosque" offers access to interactive broadband satellite services based upon the European DVB-RCS standard.<br /><br />Cyberkiosque consists of interactive terminals installed in public areas such as post offices and town halls and makes a wide range of web-based services available to the general public. This network of public information centres can be easily and rapidly expanded across the whole of France.<br /><br />The new technology enables administrations and local authorities to use Cyberkiosque interactive terminals that are fully operational from day one. Each Cyberkiosque connects to the Internet by means of an interactive satellite terminal, which itself is linked to the Astra satellite network. Via a touch screen interface, users can access public services, multimedia tools and the interactive services provided by La Poste free of charge. La Poste is thus making a direct contribution to bridging the digital divide that affects notably rural areas. In doing so, it is pursuing the objectives of the French Government as decided at the CIDAT, the "Interministerial Committee for National Planning", in September 2003.<br /><br />As the footprint of the Astra satellites covers the entire territory of France, the system can be deployed cheaply and quickly across the entire country, using small, bi-directional parabolic antennas. This state-of-the-art interactive technology enables anybody to access broadband websurfing, video-conferencing and e-mail, whilst maintaining the strict confidentiality of communications.<br /><br />(source: SES Astra)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Plenexis Chooses DirecWay Solution for Two-Way Broadband Services<br /><br />(3 December 2003) Hughes Network Systems Europe (HNSE) has signed a contract with Plenexis to supply a DirecWay broadband satellite network solution comprising a DirecWay Network Operations Centre (NOC) and remote satellite terminals.<br /><br />Utilising the DirecWay platform, Plenexis will expand its corporate networking and Internet services and offer satellite-based, high-speed, two-way broadband corporate network solutions throughout Europe without any limitation due to geography and performance. The new solution addresses especially, but not exclusively, business sectors such as retail, travel and insurance agencies, banking, and also SMEs with a need for high performing networks. Plenexis will operate the network from its teleport in Hamelin, Germany.<br /><br />Plenexis will also offer value-added features such as WLAN (wireless LAN), VPN, and backup services, which can be integrated easily into the DirecWay solution. The pricing will be highly competitive with terrestrial solutions.<br /><br />(source: Hughes Network Systems Europe)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Sirius 2 Beam Transfer<br /><br />(5 December 2003) SES Americom and Nordic Satellite AB (NSAB) have announced an agreement that will transfer, effective from January 1 2004, the Pan European beam on Sirius 2 from SES Americom to NSAB.<br /><br />The beam is composed of thirteen 33 MHz Ku band BSS transponders and three 36 MHz Ku band FSS transponders on the Sirius 2 satellite located at 5° East.<br /><br />SES Americom took commercial responsibility for the high-powered pan European beam on Sirius 2 when it became operational in January 1998. Since that time, the Sirius 2 location has been recognised as an effective transmission point for diverse programmers and distributors including cable programmers, IP companies, sporting services and increasingly DTH. The current customers using the pan European beam on Sirius 2 includes BT, Discovery, NTL, Kingston Communications, SIS, and Iris Gateways.<br /><br />(source: NSAB, SES Americom)<br /><br />*******************************************************************<br /><br />Telesat Deploys Dyband on its HSi Broadband Network<br /><br />(4 December 2003) Dyband has delivered their IP Traffic Management solution to Telesat Canada to manage traffic on the Telesat High Speed Internet (HSi) business service.<br /><br />Dyband intelligent IP Traffic Management software provides Telesat with control over bandwidth consumption, by IP address, for up to 50,000 individual satellite subscribers and/or groups; the ability to define and manage a virtually unlimited number of SLAs at distinct price points; as well as view and adjust network performance in real-time, while gathering comprehensive historical statistics for later analysis.<br /><br />Telesat's High Speed Internet solution is a two-way satellite turnkey service that supports a wide variety of IP data and multicast applications, and includes "always on" Internet access (at ADSL-type speeds), 24/7 technical support, warranty and optional service packages.<br /><br />Dyband meets several key financial and technical challenges facing satellite service providers today and provides a rapid return on investment. Dyband software:<br /><br /> Maximises throughput across the satellite link.<br />* Enables service providers to add additional users while providing<br /> more consistent, reliable access service.<br />* Enhances the efficiency of the Internet connection by reducing packet<br /> loss.<br />* Shapes traffic independently of the latency of the satellite medium,<br /> every 10ms regardless of congestion.<br />* Offers complete flexibility in managing upstream and downstream traffic<br /> by providing separate controls for each traffic direction.<br />* Delivers insight into both the topology and performance of the<br /> satellite distribution network.<br /><br />Dyband is available today and operating in satellite access environments. Dyband intelligent IP traffic management software is easy to install and runs on industry-standard hardware platforms and operating systems. The software is available in a broad range of configurations that scale to meet the needs of satellite service providers as they grow - from 1 Mb/s to 155 Mb/s of managed bandwidth per Dyband unit, easily handling a full transponder.<br /><br />(source: Dyband Corporation)<br /><br />********************************************************************<br /><br />ViaSat VSATs to Monitor Pipeline for China National Petroleum Corporation<br /><br />(1 December 2003) ViaSat Inc has been awarded a contract by China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) to provide LinkStar broadband VSATs for data collection and video monitoring along the new West-East natural gas pipelines in China. This first order is for a LinkStar hub and 200 terminals that will carry two-way Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) information and closed-circuit video that will enable operators to monitor and control the pipeline.<br /><br />To meet the demands of China's economic development, as well as national environmental needs for clean energy, CNPC subsidiary West-East Gas Pipeline Company is constructing two cross-country natural gas trunk lines. The underground pipelines will bring natural gas from Xinjiang province in the west to the region near Shanghai in the east. The first branch, at a length of more than 2,000 km, is now complete and is where the first phase of the LinkStar satellite communications system is being installed. The West-East Pipeline will provide CNPC with new natural gas markets in areas along the pipeline route, as well as in the Yangtze River Delta region centred around Shanghai.<br /><br />LinkStar is a hub-based VSAT system that provides two-way, broadband communications with more efficiency and higher data rates than other satellite networks. Remote LinkStar terminals receive data from a shared, 60 Mb/s broadcast from the access hub, and can transmit back to the hub at up to 1.15 Mb/s. Dynamic bandwidth allocation increases or decreases data rates on-the-fly for better service and more efficient use of bandwidth. LinkStar hubs and remote terminals are compatible with the digital video broadcast (DVB) international standard. Since its introduction in September 2001, approximately 12,000 LinkStar DVB-RCS-ready terminals have been shipped world-wide.<br /><br />(source: ViaSat)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Earth Observation<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Raytheon Team Awarded Study Contract by NOAA for GOES-R<br /><br />(2 December 2003) Raytheon Company has been competitively selected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for a one-year study contract, worth US$ 2.5 million, as an initial step toward the next generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R) system.<br /><br />The Raytheon team was awarded work in all four segments offered on the proposal including Space and Launch; Command, Control and Communications; Product Generation, Distribution, Archive and Access, User Interface; and End-to-End Integration.<br /><br />The Raytheon GOES-R team is based at Raytheon's Intelligence and Information Systems Aurora, Colorado. business campus. Other Raytheon businesses contributing to the contract are Raytheon Technical Services Company, and Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems.<br /><br />(source: Raytheon)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Spectrum Astro Wins US$ 1m Contract to Support GOES-R Satellite Program<br /><br />(2 December 2003) Spectrum Astro has been awarded a US$ 1 million contract by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for an advanced architecture study of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R Series (GOES-R) program. This architecture study contract focuses on the Space and Launch segments of the next generation of the GOES satellite system that provides data for weather and other environmental forecasting.<br /><br />The contract is part of a study designed to help NOAA define future GOES-R requirements by analysing candidate architectures. Through a number of contracts, NOAA plans to acquire research and advanced technology information about end-to-end system alternatives from specialists in the aerospace, communications, and data management fields. The contracts have a 12-month term with a potential option of six additional months. The first satellite in the GOES-R series is scheduled for launch in 2012.<br /><br />NOAA's GOES satellites provide data 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 will improve the quality and timeliness of the environmental data used in meteorological forecasts, understanding climate variability, management of ecosystems, and in the efficient management of transportation and commerce systems; thus expanding the safety and economic security of the public.<br /><br />(source: Spectrum Astro)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Navigation<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Bidding for the Galileo Concession<br /><br />(5 December 2003) Two teams have submitted bids for pre-selection to run the Galileo satellite navigation system.<br /><br />Inmarsat Ventures plc, EADS Space and the Thales Group have submitted a joint tender to become the Galileo Concessionaire. The three consortium members are the respective European market leaders in the fields of mobile satellite communications, navigation-based products and services and aerospace.<br /><br />Eutelsat today announced that it has submitted a bid to the Galileo Joint Undertaking, together with LogicaCMG, Hispasat and AENA (Aeropuertos Espanoles y Navegacion Aerea), to run the Galileo Concession. The Galileo Joint Undertaking is managing the European Union project to develop a new advanced satellite navigation system on behalf of the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The bid responds to the first call for pre-selection for the Galileo Concession.<br /><br />Eutelsat, as the leader in the bid, is joined by:<br /><br />LogicaCMG, a global supplier of mobile telecom applications, road/rail/air/marine transport telematics, defence IT, security IT and ground infrastructure for satellite navigation and control.<br /><br />Hispasat, Spain's national satellite operator with particular market focus in the Iberian Peninsula and the Americas.<br /><br />The Spanish Air Navigation Service Provider, Entidad Publica Empresarial Aeropuertos Espanoles y Navegacion Aerea (AENA), who will serve to establish partnership relations with Europe's air traffic managers and facilitate the integration of EGNOS operations as soon as the concession agreement allows.<br /><br />Galileo is a European Union project to develop a new advanced satellite navigation system, superior to existing satellite navigation systems. The bid has been submitted to the Galileo Joint Undertaking, who is managing the development phase of Galileo on behalf of the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA). The bid responds to the first Call for pre-selection for the Galileo Concession. The Concessionaire is expected to take the lead in arranging for private financing of the deployment and operational phases of Galileo, and ultimately would become the Galileo Operating Company.<br /><br />(source: Eutelsat, Inmarsat Ventures)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />CSI Wireless Receives Order for New GPS Automatic Steering System<br /><br />(2 December 2003) CSI Wireless Inc has received an initial US$ 2.1-million purchase order from RHS Inc for CSI's new GPS-assisted automatic steering system that RHS has named eDrive.<br /><br />RHS will market eDrive as part of the Kansas-based company's popular Outback product line that is designed by CSI Wireless' Satloc LLC subsidiary and manufactured by CSI Wireless. RHS' eDrive purchase order is in addition to the US$ 11-million order that RHS placed with CSI Wireless earlier this year for additional volumes of CSI's Outback S and Outback 360 products. Deliveries of this initial eDrive order will be made from now through the upcoming agricultural season.<br /><br />eDrive is an easy-to-install, cost-effective, after-market addition to RHS' Outback S precision guidance system for agriculture that the company markets throughout North America, plus parts of South America, Europe and Australia. RHS market its products through its RHS/Outback Guidance Centers international dealer network.<br /><br />eDrive automatically steers tractors and self-propelled sprayers along straight or curved rows. Drivers need their hands on the steering wheel only when turning their vehicles around at the end of each row. E-Drive will automatically disengage at the end of a row when it's time to begin a turn, and automatically re-engage when the turn is completed and the tractor or sprayer is near where the next row should begin, with the correct heading.<br /><br />eDrive enables drivers to focus all their attention on monitoring their sprayers, combines and other equipment to achieve maximum efficiency. By dramatically reducing driver fatigue, eDrive enables agricultural machinery to operate more hours each day - throughout the night if necessary - to substantially increase productivity. The improved accuracy available from eDrive's GPS guidance system also reduces overlap, which saves time, fuel, insecticide, herbicide and other sprayed materials, which in turn means more protection for the environment.<br /><br />RHS is offering eDrive as an upgrade feature to the more than 10,000 Outback S units it has already sold, and is also packaging eDrive with new Outback S units. It will be priced at several thousand dollars below the cost of competing auto-steering systems.<br /><br />eDrive purchasers receive installation kits designed for their specific model of tractor or other self-propelled equipment. Each machine-specific kit includes clear, step-by-step instructions and easy-to-follow installation diagrams. The eDrive unit is self-contained, with no need for difficult-to-install external sensors that competing systems require.<br /><br />eDrive and the rest of the Outback product line were designed by CSI Wireless and its Satloc LLC subsidiary in Scottsdale Arizona, in consultation with RHS. Outback products are manufactured by CSI for RHS, with RHS retaining world-wide marketing rights, and CSI retaining ownership of the technology. RHS has purchased more than US$ 20 million of Outback products from CSI Wireless so far.<br /><br />The Outback S features a highly accurate Differential GPS receiver, guidance system and Steering Guide. The Steering Guide is helpful in straight guidance, and essential for contoured or curved guidance. The Outback S features a serial output for current-generation products, and a CAN (Control Area Network) bus that enables peripheral products from other manufacturers to be inter-connected "live" with the Outback S to communicate with each other. These features ensure that the Outback S can accommodate a wide variety of current and future add-ons. The system can be installed on virtually any tractor or sprayer in less than 15 minutes.<br /><br />The Outback 360 is a computerised visual aid system. It features a high- resolution colour display screen that offers operators a 360-degree bird's eye view of their fields. Using the Outback 360 in conjunction with the Outback S, operators can effectively look down from the sky - monitoring the progress of their tractors and other farm equipment as it moves across their fields.<br /><br />(source: CSI Wireless)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Military Space<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Integral Systems Delivers Command and Control System for DSCS III Satellites<br /><br />(4 December 2003) Integral Systems Inc has delivered the first operational release of the CCS-C system to the U.S. Air Force MJPO (MILSATCOM Joint Program Office). The initial release of CCS-C provides the command and control capability for 13 DSCS (Defense Satellite Communication System) III satellites.<br /><br />The CCS-C provides satellite ground control capabilities for the Air Force's MILSATCOM Joint Program Office communication satellite programs and is being developed using Integral Systems' EPOCH IPS (Integrated Product Suite) software. At completion, the CCS-C will provide ground system control for the DSCS III, Milstar, Advanced EHF (Extremely High Frequency), and WGS (Wideband Gapfiller Satellites) families of satellites. Additional advanced satellite programs may be added to CCS-C in the future.<br /><br />(source: Integral Systems)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Raytheon Team Wins MILSATCOM Network Contract<br /><br />(3 December 2003) A Raytheon Company team, which includes Boeing, General Dynamics, and AT&T Government Solutions, has been competitively selected by the US Air Force's MILSATCOM Joint Program Office (MJPO) for a requirements definition contract. Worth up to US$ 9 million including options, the contract is an initial step toward transforming military communications. The win competitively positions Raytheon for a subsequent development program estimated at more than US$ 500 million.<br /><br />The Raytheon team will work with the MJPO to define requirements for the Program Research & Development Announcement (PRDA) phase of the Transformational Communications MILSATCOM (TCM) Network, which will expand the military's network capability and interoperability between systems.<br /><br />The Raytheon MILSATCOM team is based at Raytheon's Aurora, Colorado. business campus. Other Raytheon facilities contributing to the contract are in Fullerton, California, St. Petersburg, Florida, and Marlborough, Massachusetts. Principal team-mate support includes AT&T in Oakton, Virginia, Boeing in Anaheim, California and General Dynamics in Scottsdale, Arizona.<br /><br />(source: Raytheon)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />ViaSat Wins $30 Million Netherlands MIDS Award<br /><br />(3 December 2003) ViaSat Inc has been awarded a contract valued at approximately US$ 30 million for Multifunctional Information Distribution System terminals from the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). The order is for approximately 120 LVT(1) Low Volume Terminals for the RNLAF fleet of F-16 aircraft.<br /><br />ViaSat was awarded this competitively bid contract through a direct commercial order. This follows a previous competitive procurement by the RNLAF for the purchase of three LVT(1) terminals from ViaSat for their lead-the-fleet program. The Lead-the-fleet terminals were delivered to the RNLAF earlier this year. MIDS LVT provides secure, high capacity, jam resistant, digital data and voice communications capability for platforms deployed by the US Navy, US Air Force, US Army, and several coalition countries.<br /><br />(source: ViaSat)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Science<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Metrologic to Provide Optical System for James Webb Space Telescope<br /><br />(4 December 2003) The Advanced Optical Systems Division of Metrologic Instruments Inc's Adaptive Optics Associates (AOA) subsidiary has been awarded a four-year incrementally funded contract worth a potential of US$ 1 million from Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp to provide an electro-optic alignment subsystem for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).<br /><br />The James Webb Space Telescope is a next generation successor to the Hubble Space Telescope. Because of the increased light collecting power of its larger mirror and the extraordinary sensitivity of its instruments to infrared light, the JWST will be able to look deeper into the universe than the Hubble. The JWST design calls for light to be collected by a unique mosaic of 18 hexagonal mirror segments, each measuring 1.3 meters across. AOA is responsible for developing a subsystem that will monitor and align each of these segments so that the entire system acts as one powerful imaging telescope.<br /><br />(source: Metrologic Instruments)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Technology<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />RF Monolithics Technology Scheduled to Go to the ISS<br /><br />(5 December 2003) RF Monolithics Inc's Virtual Wire DR short-range radio module is planned to be aboard the next resupply spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) in a new experiment called SPHERES, an acronym for Synchronized Position Hold Engage and Reorient Experimental Satellites.<br /><br />SPHERES are basketball sized mini-satellites, designed and programmed to dock and fly in formation within the weightless environment of the ISS. The units consist of an aluminium structure covered with a Lexan shell. A carbon-dioxide propulsion system manoeuvres the units. They are battery powered and programmed by an upload from the ground that can be tweaked by engineers as the experiments progress. Hardware on the shell of the units serve as beacons, emitting ultrasound signals to determine directional information.<br /><br />RF Monolithics (RFM) is working with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Space Systems Laboratory and Payload Systems Inc supplying multiple DR2000 and DR2001 short-range radio modules for communications between SPHERES and a laptop aboard the ISS. The radio modules use RFM's patented transceivers, which are part of its Virtual Wire low-power product line.<br /><br />The MIT Space Systems Laboratory is developing the SPHERES formation flight test bed to provide a wide range of government and industry scientists with a long term, replenishable, and upgradeable test bed for the validation of high-risk metrology, control, and autonomy technologies. These technologies are critical to the operation of distributed satellite and docking missions that will launch this decade.<br /><br />In addition, NASA has recently awarded a grant, through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, to Payload Systems Inc for the development of a space shuttle payload in the Mars Sample Return project in which two spacecraft are to be launched to Mars. One of the spacecraft will land, collect samples, and then launch by rocket toward the other orbiting craft that captures it using SPHERES technology.<br /><br />Virtual Wire products are fully functional radio frequency transmitters, or receivers and transceivers based on proprietary amplifier-sequenced hybrid (ASH) radio architecture. This architecture integrates RF ICs with surface acoustic wave filtering and frequency control devices in a single hybrid package, which greatly simplifies and accelerates RF design tasks. No external RF filters, intermediate frequency filters, resonators or crystals are required. All critical interconnections between the IC and the filtering and frequency control devices are implemented in the self-shielding hybrid package. ASH radios are optimised for a given application by selecting non-critical base-band and antenna tuning components. RFM's Virtual Wire product line has been developed to support products manufactured each year that utilize low-power wireless technology for data links, telemetry, control and security. New applications for low-power wireless connectivity are emerging continuously and the potential applications are limited only by the customers' imagination.<br /><br />(source: RF Monolithics)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Launches<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />NOS<br /><br />Launched: 2 December 2003<br />Site: Vandenberg Air Force Base, California<br />Launcher: Atlas 2AS (MLV-14)<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 1189 km, perigee: 987 km: inclination: 63.42°<br />International Number: 2003-054A, B and (possibly) C<br />Name: NOS (2 or 3 satellites)<br />Owner: US Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)<br /><br />NOS are US military satellites used to monitor ships at sea. Usually, NOS satellites are launched as a group of three satellites in the same orbit. The last NOS launch, however, only deployed two satellites in orbit - this has been reported as being a failure of the deployment mechanism which failed to release the third satellite correctly.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Gilat to Acquire All Shares of rStar Corporation<br /><br />(4 December 2003) Gilat Satellite Network Ltd has announced that it intends to acquire all of the shares of common stock of rStar Corporation not already owned by Gilat for US$ 0.60 per share in cash. The acquisition, which is expected to be effected by way of a “short-form” merger of rStar with a Gilat subsidiary, is subject to Gilat holding at least 90 percent of the outstanding rStar shares and to the filing and clearance of a required Schedule 13E-3 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other customary conditions.<br /><br />Gilat currently owns approximately 84.9% of rStar’s outstanding shares. Gilat stated that in order to be in a position to hold at least 90% of rStar’s outstanding shares, Gilat has entered into an agreement with certain rStar stockholders to acquire an additional 9.3% of rStar shares for US$ 0.60 per share in cash. Pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement with those stockholders, Gilat is required to complete the short-form merger to acquire the shares held by all other rStar stockholders promptly following such purchase. Like the consummation of the short-form merger, that purchase is also subject to Gilat filing and obtaining clearance of its Schedule 13E-3 with the SEC, as well as other customary conditions.<br /><br />Gilat had previously announced that it was contemplating acquiring all of the outstanding shares of rStar it does not currently own through a tender offer, followed by a short form merger. As a result of the agreement to acquire an additional 9.3% of rStar shares, it will no longer be required to, and it does not intend to undertake, a tender offer for rStar shares.<br /><br />(source: Gilat Satellite Networks)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Hungary and the Czech Republic Sign ECS Agreements with ESA<br /><br />(4 December 2003) Hungary and the Czech Republic have signed European Co-operating State agreements with ESA. This means that both countries will be able to participate in nearly all ESA programmes.<br /><br />On 5 November 2003 Hungary signed their PECS document (Plan of space collaboration activities for European Co-operating State) and became the first PECS country to join ESA. This was the result of seven months intensive work between ESA and Hungary to define the specific plan for space activity collaboration following the signature last April of the European Co-operating State (ECS) agreement between Hungary and ESA.<br /><br />On 24 November the Czech Republic followed Hungary with their signature of the ECS agreement. The signed agreements define the legal basis for developing the specific plan (the PECS document) for the Czech Republic which must be in place and signed within the next 12 months.<br /><br />For these two states, this concluded a process which started in 1999 to define how four European States: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania, could increase their participation in the European space programme. All four countries have experience in developing space technology from their previous participation to the Russian space programme.<br /><br />Hungary and the Czech Republic have already been initiating with ESA as far back as 1998 within the limited framework of the PRODEX programme, which is now being transformed into a closer collaboration under the ECS agreements.<br /><br />Under this new agreement the two states will make an annual payment to ESA. Initially they will each contribute with Euro 5 million over a five-year period - 93% of which will return to each country in the form of contracts to industries and research institutes. The remaining 7% is an administration fee to ESA to cover the Agency's costs of integrating the participation of these two countries.<br /><br />Through PRODEX, Hungary has participated in Rosetta, Mars Express and the International Space Station (ISS). Hungarian research institutes and companies provided a control and data management system for Rosetta and a power supply unit for the Rosetta lander. Several Hungarian projects have flown on the ISS to carry out research in material sciences, biology and space radiation. Hungary is also participating, together with the Swiss company Space-X, in developing optical miniature instrumentation for the PROBA-2 mission. Hungary will provide an innovative optical structure which will provide 360° vision.<br /><br />For the new PECS agreement Hungary has proposed 47 projects. Of these, 19 projects have already been approved as these are primarily continuations of PRODEX activities and another 11 projects are in the pipeline for immediate evaluation. Hungary plans to participate primarily in space science (57%) and to life and material sciences (24%), but funds have also been earmarked to Earth observation and technology research.<br /><br />The Czech Republic has been participating in space programmes since 1968 when a Russian satellite carried instruments developed in the former Czechoslovakia. In 1978 a Czechoslovakian cosmonaut flew in space as part of the Russian space programme, making it the third country to have a citizen in space after the Soviet Union and the USA.<br /><br />Most recently the Czech satellite Mimosa was launched 30 June 2003 on a German-Russian launch vehicle. The 66-kilogramme Mimosa (acronym of MIcroMeasurements of Satellite Acceleration) satellite was designed by the Czech Astronomical Institute and will provide data on the density of the upper atmosphere from an elliptical orbit ranging from 820 km to 320 km in altitude.<br /><br />Under the new agreement Czech Republic and Hungary will be eligible to take part in both ESA research projects and ESA programmes with industrial projects.<br /><br />(source: ESA)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />SES Global Issues 4 Year Euro 300 Million Eurobond<br /><br />(4 December 2003) SES Global SA has, through its SES Global Americas Holdings GP, issued a new four-year Eurobond, guaranteed by SES Global SA.<br /><br />The Euro 300 million transaction was well received by the market. The book was oversubscribed and closed after three hours. The new issue was subsequently priced at 60 basis points over mid-swaps offering a coupon of 4.25%.<br /><br />This transaction follows the successful completion by SES Global of its Euro 500 million inaugural benchmark Eurobond on November 5, 2003, which was more than six times subscribed.<br /><br />Bookrunners for both transactions were Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, and Société Générale.<br /><br />Proceeds of the new issue are being used to retire existing bi-lateral loan agreements.<br /><br />(source: SES Global)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />AeroAstro Introduces $99 Satellite Data Transmitter<br /><br />(3 December 2003) AeroAstro has opened a one-stop shop for Globalstar Simplex Data hardware, communications, technical support and development services. The launch includes a full-service e-commerce web site featuring Satellite Transmitter Units (STU) for US$ 99.<br /><br />AeroAstro is the creator of SENS - Sensor Enabled Notification System - the patented enabling technology behind the Globalstar Simplex Data Service that was recently brought into commercial service by Globalstar LP utilising its 48 satellite constellation.<br /><br />The Globalstar Simplex Data service delivers small packet data messages from any location within the Simplex service area, currently North America and portions of the Middle East. This one-way service supports the highly reliable transmission of up to 36 byte data messages from remote field units (STU) to any clients' back office system via the Internet.<br /><br />The AeroAstro/Globalstar Simplex Data technology provides a total solution that is uniquely affordable and reliable with ubiquitous (outdoor) coverage. The hardware and services combine to deliver prices, power savings, compact size and ease of use previously unimaginable from satellite communications.<br /><br />AeroAstro provides a One-Stop Shop offering all the products and services available to Globalstar Simplex Data customers, including: Hardware, Unit activation, Data communications, Data Portal access and Technical Support, under a single invoice. Specialised services include product prototyping, sensor integration, and customised data portal and display options. AeroAstro delivers a complete, end-to-end support structure for Value Added Resellers and their application-specific products.<br /><br />(source: AeroAstro)<br /><br />*******************************************************************<br /><br />High-Density Packaging Solution Further Extends Actel's Reach<br /><br />(2 December 2003) Building on its commitment to develop high-reliability, high-performance products for the military and space markets, Actel Corporation has announced the availability of a high-density ceramic column grid array (CCGA) advanced packaging solution for the company's radiation-tolerant and military-qualified field-programmable gate array (FPGA) devices. Packing in 2.5 times the I/O density in 90 percent of the footprint offered by Actel's existing packages, the CCGA624 package offers an unparalleled combination of density and reliability with minimal board real estate. The hermetically sealed CCGA package is specifically developed for mission-critical systems, such as satellite bus and payload subsystems of commercial and military spacecraft, which demand high levels of reliability and tolerance to thermal stresses in a small footprint.<br /><br />An attractive alternative to the ball-grid array, the CCGA package utilises 624 high-temperature solder columns to create a higher stand-off and provide greater tolerance to the stresses caused by different rates of thermal expansion between the PCB and the package. As a result, the thermal fatigue life of the package solder joints is significantly increased. Additionally, the solder columns can be placed as much as 50 percent off the centre of the PCB's landing pad and provide sufficient flexibility to realign properly with the pad during solder flow operations.<br /><br /> Column Height: 22.1 mm with 57 mm diameter<br />* Body Size: 32.5 mm x 32.5 mm<br />* Pitch: 1.27mm<br /><br />Supporting Actel's antifuse-based RT54SX72S, RTAX1000S, RTAX2000S and AX2000 FPGAs as well as its flash-based, APA1000 and APA600 devices, the CCGA624 is JEDEC registered (MO-158, VAR BE-1). Additionally, the RTAX-S and RTSX-S FPGAs employ the inherent benefits of Actel's radiation-tolerant devices, including single-event latchup (SEL) immunity; greater than 37MeV-cm2/mg single-event upset (SEU) capability; and total ionising dose (TID) performance up to 200 Krads. The RTAX-S family also features embedded RAM with an upset rate of less than 1E-10 errors/bit-day with error detection and correction (EDAC). The largest device, the 2-million gate RTAX2000S, contains 288k bits of embedded SRAM; 684 user I/Os; and 10,752 SEU-hardened registers.<br /><br />The CCGA624 for RT54SX72S will be available in December 2003 and the CCGA624 for RTAX1000S, RTAX200S, AX2000, APA600 and APA1000 will be available in the first half of 2004. Pricing starts at US$ 1,540 in 5K unit quantities.<br /><br />(source: Actel Corporation)<br /><br />*********************************************************************<br /><br />HNS Introduces New DirecWay Broadband Terminal to European Market<br /><br />(2 December 2003) Hughes Network Systems Inc (HNS) has introduced the latest member of its family of DirecWay broadband terminals, the DW6000, to the European market. The DW6000 is self-hosting, thereby eliminating the requirement to install any special software on customers' computers and extending DirecWay service to Apple Macintosh computers, beyond Windows-based systems.<br /><br />The DW6000 incorporates an advanced, single-board architecture, offering an Ethernet output for easy connection to LAN networks and satellite-based service activation, which eliminates the need for a terrestrial line. In addition to high-speed Internet and intranet/VPN access, it supports all of the feature-rich DirecWay services offered to current customers, such as content delivery, multicasting, music distribution, digital media streaming, and distance learning and training. Key features of the new equipment include:<br /><br /> Ethernet interface for quick installation and easy connection to<br /> any hub/router;<br />* No dedicated PC/server required for sharing connection with multiple PCs;<br />* One-step "plug-and-play" networking eliminating the need to install<br /> drivers or other software;<br />* Compatibility with Windows and Macintosh operating systems.<br /><br />Beginning in December 2003, the DW6000 will be available in Europe and sold to enterprise customers through HNS Europe's regional sales offices and from authorised value-added resellers and service providers.<br /><br />(source: Hughes Network Systems Europe)<br /><br />********************************************************************<br /><br />SkyWayconnect Announces Digital Video Service<br /><br />(3 December 2003) OPADS LLC is to offer aggregated digital video programming transport to small and medium sized video franchises under the trade name "SkyWayconnect." The service will offer instant and vastly more affordable options to convert analogue or hybrid distribution systems to the quality, bandwidth re-capturing, channel capacity advantages of digital technology.<br /><br />SkyWayconnect will contract with strategic partners to achieve its all digital delivery goal. Founding partners are ATCi, a multi-channel video teleport services provider, designer/supplier of headend antennas, and electronics with headquarters in Chandler, Arizona, and Satellite Management Services, a satellite programming services provider based in Tempe, Arizona. The service is being introduced today at the Western Show in Anaheim, California. The open platform all digital system (OPADS) is slated to begin transport of up to 200 channels of standard definition television plus 12 channels of high definition television next year.<br /><br />The transport service is targeted to small and medium sized video distribution franchises throughout the continental United States. SkyWayconnect will aggregate video programming and bounce it off a single satellite for reception in digital format utilising an open standard encrypted digital video broadcast technology. Since the service provides transport only, authorisation occurs through programmer contracts already in place or arranged separately.<br /><br />Conversion of an analogue or hybrid analogue/digital system to all-digital frees up distribution bandwidth so that ancillary tiers of service such as high-speed Internet, video on demand, CD quality music, voice over Internet protocol, and other services can be accommodated. This empowers the franchise to increase their average revenue per unit (ARPU) and reduce or eliminate churn to competitive providers.<br /><br />The equipment required for reception and distribution of the transport signal over a franchise's existing infrastructure is minimal compared with that of a conventional full-digital system. This architecture allows the Operator to use entry level digital set-top boxes starting at US$ 45 each. More robust set tops will be available for the subscriber who desires more integrated technologies such as digital video recorders, cable modems and other advanced features. Plug and play digital television sets with conditional access capability will not require a set-top box.<br /><br />(source: OPADS LLC)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />T2C3 Mobile Satellite Receiver Communications Platform Now Available<br /><br />(3 December 2003) A scalable, lightweight and low-cost system for secure command and control field communications in remote locations, T2C3 is designed for field-deployed personnel in wartime, peacekeeping or emergency response scenarios.<br /><br />Action Systems, the leader in mobile computing and communication products; BEMA, the leader of lightweight and portable RF shielded enclosures and tents; and SkyStream Networks, the leader in IP video delivery solutions, are now shipping the jointly-developed T2C3 platform.<br /><br />In recognition of the need for a new field-based communication system to fulfil emerging military warfighter requirements as well as homeland security needs related to emergency response, T2C3 combines field-tested and government-certified commercial off-the-shelf components (COTS) that have been pre-integrated into interoperable, portable platforms.<br /><br />Those new imperatives include demands for rapidly deployed, network-centric, data, video and voice communications delivered by satellite for smaller units in the field. The T2C3 is especially suited for new military initiatives like WIN-T, GIG, NMCI and the network-centric warfare programs, as well as first responder scenarios to terrorist attacks, natural disasters and major accidents.<br /><br />The T2C3 comes standard in seven different configurations, primarily based on the number of users. Components can include: 2-way satellite phones, satellite data and video routers with conditional access decryption for digital broadcast and IP transmissions, ruggedised laptops, secure servers and a power supply, all housed in an optional RF-shielded enclosure.<br /><br />The complete T2C3 system can fit in the back of a Humvee and can fully support the communications needs of a one-man operation up to a coalition-size command and control centre. T2C3 is considerably more flexible and less expensive than the rigid, walled structures typically used for field communications today.<br /><br />The T2C3 can serve as a Secure Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF) by using BEMA's shielded enclosures. BEMA shielded enclosure technology enables a high degree of radio frequency attenuation, eliminating the possibility of electronic eavesdropping from outsiders.<br /><br />The T2C3 system also easily integrates with Type 1 NSA and Type 2 Irdeto Access FIPS-140 compliant conditional content security/encryption systems for the reception and decryption of secure classified and un-classified data and video.<br /><br />The T2C3 platform is customisable to fit the needs of the field teams, from one operative on a reconnaissance mission to a large-scale military command centre or disaster relief centre. The number of secure enclosures, computing and network routing equipment and amount of security required are a few of the flexible options available.<br /><br />The T2C3 is available now via GSA Schedule: GS-35F-4812H.<br /><br />(source: SkyStream Networks)<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />People<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />ViaSat COO Rick Baldridge Appointed President<br /><br />(1 December 2003) ViaSat Inc has announced that Richard A Baldridge, executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO), has been appointed President and COO. He assumes the additional title from founder Mark D Dankberg, who remains chairman and CEO.<br /><br />The appointment to president reflects the increased leadership role during the last year by Mr Baldridge, 45, in key aspects of ViaSat's business including business operations and management of relationships with key customers. Mr Baldridge joined ViaSat in April 1999 as vice president and chief financial officer and added the positions of executive vice president and COO in July 2000. Prior to joining the company he served in senior financial and general management roles within Raytheon Corporation, Hughes Electronics Corp and General Dynamics Corporation.<br /><br />(source: ViaSat)<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