Microcom's Space Newsfeed 11 April 2004<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Web resources from Microcom Systems:<br /><br />Satellite Industry Links: the largest satellite and space industry directory on the web http://www.satellite-links.co.uk<br /><br />Satellite on the Net: white papers, industry events, launch information and space bookshop http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk<br /><br />Jobs in Space: space industry recruitment http://www.space-jobs.co.uk post your CV or job specification here<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Handbook of Satellite Services in Europe<br /><br />This unique publication provides detailed information on all aspects of the European satellite scene including extensive data on service providers, national regulations, satellites used in Europe as well as background on satellite communications technology. http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/pubs/ssie.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Advertise on Microcom's websites and reach over 25,000 space and satellite industry professionals each month. http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/ratecard.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Contents<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms:<br />Connexion by Boeing and StarHub to Explore Linking Networks<br />EBU Doubles Satellite Capacity with Eutelsat for Athens Olympics<br />Geolink Uses SEGway Devices To Enable Mobile Communications at Sea<br /><br />Military Space:<br />L-3 Communications to Provide Software Engineering Support for Satellite Communications Systems<br /><br />Science:<br />Genesis Collection Phase Ends<br />NASA Extends Mars Rovers' Mission<br /><br />Business:<br />rStar Completes Going-Private Transaction<br />XM Satellite Radio Announces Proposed Offering<br /><br />Products and Services:<br />New Options for XLi High-Precision GPS Synchronised Time and Frequency Receiver<br />Quake Global Announces Two New Dual-Mode Modems<br /><br />People:<br />NASA Names Exploration Project Directors<br />Orbital Names SVP and Deputy GM of Launch Systems Group<br />Sirius Satellite Radio Names Senior Vice President of Marketing<br />Tandberg Television Appoints Matthew Goldman as Director of Technology<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />EEBC 2004 - Eastern Europe Broadband Convention - 13-15 October 2004, Kiev, Ukraine.<br /><br />Exhibition, Conference, Technical Training and Round Table Discussion of Industry Organisations will be devoted to progress trends in the broadband industry of Central and Eastern Europe.<br /><br />All industry organisations and companies are welcome to participate and investigate possibilities of making business in the CEE market! For full details see www.eebc.com.ua<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Bolton Associates - Corporate Strategies applies 21st. Century thinking for the Earth Observation, SatCom and Environment Industries that penetrate new markets using creative commercial Risk models and innovation.<br /><br />Visit us at http://www.BoltonAssociates.com and/or download our Power Point presentation http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/ads/EOConsult.ppt [131Kb]<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Space Bookshop - books for space professionals.<br />http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/bookshop.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Connexion by Boeing and StarHub to Explore Linking Networks<br /><br />(8 April 2004) Connexion by Boeing and StarHub, Singapore's leading info-communications provider, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for an associate service provider agreement that will add the Connexion by Boeing real-time, high-speed Internet service to StarHub's wireless broadband services portfolio.<br /><br />As part of the MOU, Connexion by Boeing and StarHub will explore linking their respective networks, providing StarHub account holders with a seamless and simplified solution for accessing the full richness of the Internet when in flight. Airline passengers who have a StarHub account will simply have to enter their user ID and password to access the Connexion by Boeing service, and they will subsequently receive their billing for service access as an add-on to their existing StarHub bill.<br /><br />StarHub is a Singapore-based info-communications company providing a full range of information, communications and entertainment services over fixed, mobile and Internet platforms. It operates its own nation-wide broadband network that delivers multi-channel cable TV, data, voice and Internet access. StarHub will also offer Digital Cable Services in 2004. StarHub also operates its own GSM/GPRS network and will have its 3G network ready by the end of 2004.<br /><br />(source: Connexion by Boeing)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />EBU Doubles Satellite Capacity with Eutelsat for Athens Olympics<br /><br />(7 April 2004) Eutelsat and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have signed a contract for four wideband transponders that will be used by the EBU for television coverage of the upcoming Athens Olympic Games.<br /><br />The contract is for the equivalent of 306 MHz of Ku band capacity on three Eutelsat satellites: Atlantic Bird 3, e-Bird and W3A, the latest addition to Eutelsat's fleet which is planned to enter into commercial service in May. For the duration of the Olympic Games this agreement will double the EBU's capacity leased on a full-time basis to the EBU by Eutelsat.<br /><br />This additional capacity will allow the EBU to provide private direct point-to-point circuits between Athens and the headquarters of television channels that will have their own TV crews and content aggregation facilities in Athens. In addition to these private circuits, the EBU will simultaneously deliver 800 hours of live coverage of the sports events with ambient sound to its 71 members.<br /><br />The distribution and exchange of programmes relating to sports events is a major part of the EBU's activities. In view of the exceptional world-wide coverage of the Olympic Games the EBU is setting up an infrastructure fully dedicated to the event, with the deployment at the Olympic site of a new teleport to deliver a total of 36 non-stop programme feeds, 32 of which will be carried by Eutelsat.<br /><br />Services from the EBU teleport in Athens will start on 2 August with technical tests in conjunction with each control room and recordings of the athletes' preparations. On 11 and 12 August there will be coverage of the football matches scheduled as an avant-première to the Games schedule. These will be followed on 13 August by the Opening Ceremony and the start of the Olympic events, which will continue until 29 August. The EBU's services in Athens will also be deployed to cover the Paralympic Games from 17 to 28 September.<br /><br />(source: EBU, Eutelsat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Geolink Uses SEGway Devices To Enable Mobile Communications at Sea<br /><br />(6 April 2004) Geolink, a developer of mobile satellite communications systems, is using Performance Technologies' SEGway 1100 SS7/IP Signalling Platform in its OceanCell GSM Solution. OceanCell is the first GSM solution to enable mobile telephone use at sea.<br /><br />Geolink's OceanCell solution uses maritime satellite links to allow mobile phones to be used on cruise ships, ferries, oil barges and military ships when terrestrial GSM coverage is not available. Geolink is using Performance Technologies' SEGway devices to enable the transmission of IP-based SS7 signalling over a satellite link.<br /><br />Small, compact and operationally transparent, the SEGway 1100 SS7/IP Signalling Platform enables the reliable transport of SS7 messages over low cost, managed IP networks. In the case of Geolink, the SEGway devices are transporting SS7 messages over satellite to enable mobile communications in geographic locations where it would otherwise not be possible. The SEGway products utilize the Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) and Performance Technologies' field-proven SS7/IP software to ensure the same high level of reliability when transporting messages over IP as with traditional methods.<br /><br />(source: Performance Technologies)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Military Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />L-3 Communications to Provide Software Engineering Support for Satellite Communications Systems<br /><br />(5 April 2004) L-3 Communications' ILEX Systems business unit has been awarded a task order from the US Army Communications-Electronic Command (CECOM) to continue providing satellite communications (SATCOM) software engineering support to the CECOM Software Engineering Center (SEC). L-3 anticipates this award to be 5 years in duration, with a total potential value to the company in excess of US$ 36 million. The Systems Engineering Services Division of Ilex Systems (L-3 ILEX SESD) will perform this work.<br /><br />L-3 ILEX SESD will provide software engineering for the entire life cycle of assigned CECOM SATCOM systems, from concept exploration to support of fielded systems. During the acquisition/development phase of a SATCOM system, L-3 ILEX SESD will provide engineering services to include software requirements analysis and management, analysis of technical documentation and processes, participation in technical reviews, code analysis, evaluation of test plans, field exercise support, and system/integration test support. L-3 ILEX SESD will design, code, test, distribute, and install software enhancements and corrections for SATCOM systems throughout the remainder of the system's life cycle.<br /><br />(source: L-3 Communications)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Science<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Genesis Collection Phase Ends<br /><br />(5 April 2004) Since October 2001 NASA's Genesis spacecraft has exposed specially designed, collector arrays of sapphire, silicon, gold and diamond to the sun's solar wind.<br /><br />That collection of pristine particles of the sun came to an end last week, when NASA's Genesis team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, ordered the spacecraft's collectors deactivated and stowed. The closeout process was completed when Genesis closed and sealed the spacecraft's sample-return capsule.<br /><br />NASA's Genesis mission was launched in August 2001 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Three months and about one million miles later, the spacecraft began to amass solar wind particles on hexagonal wafer-shaped collectors made of pure silicon, gold, sapphire and diamond.<br /><br />Later this month, Genesis will execute the first in a series of trajectory manoeuvres that will place the spacecraft on a route toward Earth. On September 8, 2004, the spacecraft will dispatch a sample-return capsule containing its solar booty. The capsule will re-enter Earth's atmosphere for a planned landing at the US Air Force Utah Test and Training Range.<br /><br />To preserve the delicate particles of the sun in their prisons of gold, sapphire and diamond, specially trained helicopter pilots will snag the return capsule from mid-air using giant hooks. The flight crews for the two helicopters assigned for the capture and return of Genesis are former military aviators, Hollywood stunt pilots and an active-duty Air Force test pilot.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Extends Mars Rovers' Mission<br /><br />(8 April 2004) NASA has approved an extended mission for the Mars Exploration Rovers, handing them up to five months of overtime assignments, as they finish their three-month prime mission.<br /><br />The first of the two, Spirit, met the success criteria set for its prime mission. Spirit gained check marks in the final two boxes on April 3 and 5, when it exceeded 600 meters of total drive distance and completed 90 Martian operational days after landing.<br /><br />Opportunity landed three weeks after Spirit. It will complete the two-rover checklist of required feats, when it finishes a 90th martian day of operations April 26. Each Martian day, or "sol," lasts about 40 minutes longer than an Earth day.<br /><br />The mission extension provides US$ 15 million for operating the rovers through September. The extension more than doubles exploration for less than a two percent additional investment, if the rovers remain in working condition. The extended mission has seven new goals for extending the science and engineering accomplishments of the prime mission.<br /><br />Beyond the quantifiable criteria, such as using all research tools at both landing sites and investigating at least eight locations, the rovers have returned remarkable science results. The most dramatic have been Opportunity's findings of evidence of a shallow body of salty water in the past in the Mars Meridiani Planum region.<br /><br />Reaching "Columbia Hills," which could hold geological clues to that water story, is one of seven objectives for the extended mission. Opportunity has a parallel one, to seek geologic context for the outcrop in the "Eagle" crater by reaching other outcrops in the "Endurance" crater and perhaps elsewhere. Other science objectives are to continue atmospheric studies at both sites to encompass more of Mars' seasonal cycle and to calibrate and validate data from Mars orbiters for additional types of rocks and soils examined on the ground.<br /><br />Three new engineering objectives are to traverse more than a kilometre to demonstrate mobility technologies; to characterise solar-array performance over long durations of dust deposition at both landing sites; and to demonstrate long-term operation of two mobile science robots on a distant planet. During the past two weeks, rover teams at JPL have switched from Mars-clock schedules to Earth-clock schedules designed to be less stressful and more sustainable over a longer period.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />rStar Completes Going-Private Transaction<br /><br />(8 April 2004) Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd has completed its acquisition of all of the shares of common stock of rStar Corporation not already owned by Gilat for US$ 0.60 per share in cash.<br /><br />As a result, immediately following the consummation of the acquisition, a Form 15 was filed with the SEC in order to deregister rStar's common stock. As a result, rStar will cease to be a public reporting company.<br /><br />Gilat, which owned approximately 84.9% of rStar's outstanding shares, increased its ownership to greater than 90% through the acquisition of additional shares from certain rStar stockholders for US$ 0.60 per share in cash. Following that acquisition, Gilat effected a short-form merger to acquire all remaining shares of rStar not owned by it for US$ 0.60 per share in cash. rStar shareholders of record as of the closing date will receive notification from rStar's transfer agent providing them with instructions for tendering their shares.<br /><br />(source: Gilat Satellite Networks)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />XM Satellite Radio Announces Proposed Offering<br /><br />(6 April 2004) XM Satellite Radio Inc has announced its intention to sell, subject to market and other conditions, US$ 125 million principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes Due 2009 to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.<br /><br />The notes would be guaranteed by XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc, parent of XM Satellite Radio Inc. The use of proceeds from the offering would be to reduce drawn balances outstanding under the company's US$ 100 million revolving credit facility with General Motors Corp. and for general corporate purposes including possible repayment of other debt, replacement of liquidity resources employed to repay the US$ 35 million loan outstanding to Boeing Inc, which is expected to be repaid by XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc concurrent with the completion of the offering of notes. The applicable interest rate and offering price are to be determined by negotiations between XM and the initial purchaser of the notes.<br /><br />(source: XM Satellite Radio)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />New Options for XLi High-Precision GPS Synchronised Time and Frequency Receiver<br /><br />(5 April 2004) Symmetricom has introduced three new options for its XLi high-precision GPS synchronised time and frequency receiver which allow customers to make measurements of external timing signals relative to the XLi.<br /><br />The modular ultra precision Model XLi Time and Frequency System is a versatile and flexible solution for timing and synchronisation requirements, and the new options - Frequency Measurement, Time Interval/Event Timing, and Programmable Pulse Output - adds to its versatility. The XLi is completely modular through a variety of option cards that are easily configured by the user.<br /><br />The Frequency Measurement option provides the ability to precisely measure the frequency of an externally applied 1, 5, or 10 MHz signal. The Time Interval/Event Timing option enables the XLi to precisely measure the interval between the XLi's 1 PPS pulse and the rising edge of the user-supplied 1 PPS pulse. The option can also be utilised to precisely capture the time of day of any external event pulse. The Event Timing function of the XLi offers an amazing range between zero and a year in 5-nanosecond increments. The Programmable Pulse Output (PPO) option generates a pulse at a specific time. It is designed for companies that need to trigger a measurement, such as periodically checking the frequency of a power line.<br /><br />These options are supported with the latest XLi firmware version 1.80. A factory upgrade is required for existing XLi users who would like to purchase these options.<br /><br />The XLi Time and Frequency Receiver is currently available for purchase. The basic XLi Time and Frequency System with GPS is US$ 5,130. The Frequency Measurement Option is US$ 660, the Time Internal/Event Timing Option is US$ 660 and the Programmable Pulse Option is US$ 360. The GPS Option can be purchased separately for US$ 1,170 by customers who currently own an XLi receiver, which provides optimum performance when using any of the three new options.<br /><br />(source: Symmetricom)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Quake Global Announces Two New Dual-Mode Modems<br /><br />(5 April 2004) Quake Global Inc has introduced two dual-mode satellite modems, both of which were created in response to customer demand. They will be available in the United States through Teletouch Communications Inc., which has obtained master distribution rights for the modems. The new Quake Q2000-CDMA modem is scheduled to launch by the end of the second quarter, while the Q2000-GSM modem will be introduced to the market later this year.<br /><br />Both modems facilitate global wireless communication over Quake Global's connection to a network of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, as well as either the CDMA or GSM networks, making them ideal choices for fleet managers whose tracking systems must be able to access the satellite network when the cellular network is unavailable, and vice versa. The new dual-mode modems automatically switch to the most effective and cost-efficient available network.<br /><br />The modems offer a host of benefits, including capabilities for dual-network wireless communications, increased performance through reduced latencies, near real-time message delivery, the ability to quickly transfer large amounts of data, satellite back-up for seamless coverage and higher message delivery rates than any other Quake modem previously produced. The fully integrated Q2000-CDMA and Q2000-GSM modems have the same footprint as the Quake Q2000 modem.<br /><br />While the Q2000-CDMA and Q2000-GSM will use the Orbcomm network of low earth orbit satellites, customers now also can employ wireless service via Verizon and Sprint for CDMA 1xRTT and Cingular and T-Mobile for GSM data services.<br /><br />(source: Quake Global)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />People<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Names Exploration Project Directors<br /><br />(8 April 2004) NASA has selected Garry M. Lyles as Deputy Director of Project Constellation and Charles J. Precourt as Program Director of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV).<br /><br />As the Deputy Director of Project Constellation, Lyles is responsible for the development of all exploration transportation and support systems needed to achieve the Vision for Space Exploration. That includes returning to the <br />moon and then on to Mars.<br /><br />Lyles was the manager of NASA's Next Generation Launch Technology program at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). He was responsible for leading efforts to develop technologies for safe access to space.<br /><br />Lyles previously managed the Advanced Space Transportation Program at MSFC. He was responsible for developing NASA's space transportation and propulsion "roadmaps" for the next 25 years. Since coming to NASA in 1976, Lyles had several propulsion related positions at MSFC, including chief engineer for the Space Shuttle Main Engine; chief of the Canoga Park Resident Office for the Space Shuttle Main Engine Project Office; and division chief of the Propulsion Systems Division of the MSFC Propulsion Laboratory.<br /><br />He earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama.<br /><br />Precourt is responsible for developing the CEV. It is NASA's first human exploratory spacecraft since Apollo. The CEV will carry astronauts to the moon as early as 2015.<br /><br />Before his appointment to headquarters, Precourt was the Deputy Manager of the International Space Station Program at NASA's Johnson Space Center. He was responsible for the day-to-day management of Space Station operations, on orbit assembly, interfaces with NASA contractors and international partners.<br /><br />Precourt became an astronaut in 1991. He is a veteran of four space flights, logging more than 932 hours in space. He was Director of Operations for NASA at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, Star City, Russia. As Chief of the Astronaut Corps, he was responsible for mission preparation for Space Shuttle and International Space Station crews and their support personnel.<br /><br />Precourt received a bachelor's of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the US Air Force Academy. He received his master's of science degree in engineering management from Golden Gate University, and a master's of arts degree in national security affairs and strategic studies from the US Naval War College.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Orbital Names SVP and Deputy GM of Launch Systems Group<br /><br />(8 April 2004) Orbital Sciences Corporation has announced that Brent Collins has joined the company as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Manager for Operations in the Launch Systems Group. In this position, Mr. Collins will help lead Orbital's efforts in providing highly-reliable launch vehicles for missile defence-related target programs and space launch systems for the national security, civil and commercial markets. Mr. Collins' career spans 35 years of experience in space and missile systems during which he served as an active duty officer and in civil service positions for the US Air Force and in increasingly responsible positions in the private sector.<br /><br />Prior to joining Orbital, Mr. Collins worked for The Boeing Company as Chief Engineer for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system interceptor program and as Chief Technologist for Boeing's Missile Defense Systems unit. Before joining Boeing, Mr. Collins spent 32 years in service with the US Air Force, attaining the active duty rank of Colonel and subsequently serving as a civilian member of the Senior Executive Service. His military service culminated in a 4-year period at the Pentagon during which he served as the Deputy Mission Area Director for Space Acquisition Programs, directing the planning and budgeting for Air Force satellite and space launch systems programs on the Air Staff. Mr. Collins also served as the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space at the Pentagon where he was responsible for managing the cost, schedule and performance of a US$ 4 billion portfolio of programs. These included the Global Positioning System and the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle programs, as well as military communications satellites, ballistic missile warning satellites and the US ICBM systems.<br /><br />Mr. Collins received a BS degree in Engineering Mechanics from the US Air Force Academy and a MS degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is also a graduate of the Defense Systems Management College.<br /><br />(source: Orbital Sciences)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Sirius Satellite Radio Names Senior Vice President of Marketing<br /><br />(5 April 2004) Sirius Satellite Radio has appointed Tola Murphy-Baran as Senior Vice President, Marketing. Murphy-Baran will be responsible for subscriber acquisition and retention, direct and online marketing and all sports marketing and promotion, and will report directly to Mary Pat Ryan, Executive Vice President, Marketing.<br /><br />Murphy-Baran joins Sirius with more than 25 years of marketing experience and most recently held the position of Senior Vice President of Market Development at the National Football League. Murphy-Baran was the founder and general manager of "NFL Sunday Ticket," the first and most successful premium subscription business in televised sports. Prior to this, she served as Vice President of Market Development at Viacom Satellite Networks. She also held positions with Showtime/The Movie Channel, ABC and RKO Radio.<br /><br />Murphy-Baran received a Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University and is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association of America (SBCA).<br /><br />(source: Sirius Satellite Radio)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Tandberg Television Appoints Matthew Goldman as Director of Technology<br /><br />(8 April 2004) Tandberg Television has hired Matthew Goldman as Director of Technology. Goldman, an industry veteran specialising in digital television system solutions, will play a major role in developing system solutions for customers throughout the Americas as the company expands its presence from Canada to Argentina.<br /><br />In addition to a prominent technical advisory role in sales support, Goldman will actively participate in furthering technical broadcast standards and recommend practices within industry consortia, and provide internal and external technical education.<br /><br />Most recently a technology consultant, Goldman respectively held Principal Engineer and Director of Engineering positions with World Wide Packets and DiviCom. Within those positions, he devised digital television solutions across all market segments, including cable, satellite, terrestrial and broadband IP. He has also been a major contributor to and project editor of MPEG-2 standards. He is actively involved in industry standards development for MPEG-4 among many others.<br /><br />(source: Tandberg TV)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Press releases should be sent to: newsfeed@microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Microcom makes no charge for this service and makes no payments for the use of material. Microcom makes no warranties about the quality of this service and accepts no liability for mistakes and errors. Use of this service is taken as confirmation of acceptance of these conditions.<br /><br />If you require further information contact Microcom by email: info@microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />This newsletter, and archives dating back to January 2000, can be viewed on the web at http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />To subscribe to this email newsletter go to: http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/subscribe.html. You can also unsubscribe from the same page.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Copyright 2004 Microcom Systems Ltd. All rights reserved.<br /><br />Microcom's Space Newsfeed may be freely distributed on condition that it is distributed complete, not edited in any way, and that no fee is charged. All copies must contain this copyright notice.<br /><br />Microcom Systems Ltd<br />PO Box 21<br />Haverhill<br />Suffolk CB9 0NZ<br />United Kingdom<br /><br />info@microcomsystems.co.uk<br />http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk