11 June 2000

Satcoms

Alcatel Space to Supply MTSAT-1R Payload
Alcatel Space has started development of the aeronautical communications payload for Japan's MTSAT-1R satellite.

MTSAT-1R, which is being constructed by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for the Japanese Ministry of Transport, will be used for both air traffic control and weather observation.

The communications payload will operate at L, Ku and Ka band, and will be compatible with the new CNS/ATM (Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management) standards. Payload-ground links will be at Ku and Ka band; aircraft-satellite links will be at L band. The aero-communications payload package for the MTSAT-1R will be assembled, integrated and tested at Alcatel Space's Toulouse facility, prior to delivery to SS/L in Palo Alto, California, for integration on the company's 1300 platform.

The original Multi-functional Transport Satellite (MTSAT-1) was destroyed in November 1999 when the H2 rocket being used for the launch was destroyed following a failure of the first stage.

Aliant Opens C Band Teleport in Halifax, Canada
Aliant Energy Services, a division of Aliant Inc, has announced the completion of a C band satellite teleport in Halifax, Canada.

Aliant companies, MTT and Stratos, have been working on this project since March.

The new teleport will enable offshore customers to have a direct access to MTT's terrestrial network for local and international access. The 3.8-meter earth station is capable of supporting the telecommunications needs of many offshore customers.

AlphaStar Demonstrates Two-way Broadband Network
AlphaStar International has demonstrated an Internet Broadband network integrating two-way satellite and wireless local access. The demonstration integrated AlphaStar's two-way satellite global coverage with Cisco System's wireless technology.

Last month, AlphaStar announced the deployment of a high speed Internet and intranet broadband network called TeleCrossing which introduced a hybrid technology integrating for the first time two-way satellite global coverage with a network of wireless local access hubs. TeleCrossing provides Internet broadband access that is always on, dedicated and fully interactive with high speed up to 32 Mb/s in an increment or fraction of 2 Mb/ps, symmetrical or asymmetrical.

TeleCrossing began deployment and marketing in selective residential and business markets. By the end of the year 2000 the company will deploy 400 wireless local hubs and connect them all together via satellite as one network.

The system uses a small two-way-satellite dish at the wireless local hub. The hub sends and receives broadband content without the need for the phone line for a return path. TeleCrossing eliminates the need for a residential satellite dish on the roof or the ground of the subscriber's home. As a result the network can be installed at the subscriber's home easily and requires little or no maintenance.

Digital Set Top Boxes for China
NDS Group plc, a News Corporation company, and Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB) of Taiwan are co-operating to jointly develop digital set-top box technology specifically for digital broadcasting and broadband services in China.

NDS is a leading supplier of open conditional access software and interactive systems for the secure delivery of entertainment and information to digital TVs, set-top boxes, personal computers and mobile devices. NDS has worked with a number of Chinese partners on technology transfer projects, and with this alliance NDS is continuing its on-going commitment to localising its full product range for China.

ADB is the Asia-Pacific region's leading provider of digital interactive TV set-top boxes (STBs). With operations headquarters in Taipei, ADB is also a leading designer of broadcast system software solutions for satellite, cable and MMDS pay-TV operators.

ADB and NDS will undertake co-development and research projects in conjunction with Chinese partners to further China's set-top box technology. The initial strategy will focus on delivering full broadcasting and broadband functionality to cable TV viewers in the China market.

Advanced Digital Broadcast Ltd ranks in the top 10 among the world's suppliers of digital set-top boxes and software solutions for digital interactive television. Since its start-up in 1996, ADB has shipped close to 1.5 million IRD units to customers in Australia, Israel, Hong Kong, the Middle East, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Taiwan and the US.

ADB's compact set-top boxes for digital pay-TV reception (satellite, cable and wireless) feature single-chip, software-driven architecture with extreme reliability (average decoder failure rate is well below 0.5% for every 100,000 boxes that have been in the market for 12 months). The products are available with a wide choice of Conditional Access (CA) and Application Program Interfaces (API).

ADB also offers an extensive range of interactive applications. These include multi-language Electronic Program Guides, Impulse Pay-per-View systems, Stock market and Trading Applications, e-commerce services and TV Internet browsing.

NDS is a leading supplier of open conditional access software and interactive systems for the secure delivery of entertainment and information to digital TVs, set-top boxes, personal computers and mobile devices. The company also develops e-security solutions for broadband Internet multicasting applications.

NDS systems enable broadcasters, content providers and enterprises on the leading edge of the convergence of TV and the Internet to profit from digital TV and interactive services, including integrating and delivering Internet and TV content, data broadcasting and e-commerce transactions. A portfolio of services including consulting, systems design and integration, support and maintenance complements NDS' systems and technologies.

eSAT to Distribute Advertising Content in South Florida
eSAT Inc, a broadband Internet Service Provider (ISP) with wireless and satellite data delivery capability, has signed a multiple-year contract with New Millennium Network Television (NMNTV) to provide hardware and multi-casting services, called ChannelCasting, to support NMNTV's planned advertising push to the Latin American market.

NMNTV will utilise eSAT's ChannelCasting services to send very large MPEG-II multi-media files consisting of repeating commercial "loops", featuring advertisements, programs and musical features. The loops will be delivered to select retail locations in predominately Hispanic communities throughout Southern Florida.

Through the use of satellite technology, ChannelCasting will enable NMNTV to cost-effectively transmit the files simultaneously to multiple destinations at speeds that would be virtually impossible with traditional dial-up networks. The file data will be uplinked to eSAT's satellite network, encrypted and transmitted to the specified destinations. By using the service, NMNTV will be able to control the commercials' content, its recipients and broadcast times as well as ensure that all transmissions are delivered securely to each designated recipient. In addition, NMNTV will have the flexibility to send neighbourhood specific advertising to select stations and markets as well as change content on the files with unlimited frequency.

Once the files are transmitted to the locations, the three-minute loops will be played continuously on high quality LCD monitors. The monitors will be strategically positioned to enable viewers to view digital broadcast quality commercials in both English and Spanish while they wait. Located in high traffic areas, each location currently being targeted for this new ad distribution program has an average of 30,000 customers per month.

By this time next year, NMNTV anticipates ChannelCasting its commercial "loops" to more than 100 locations throughout Florida, with plans to expand to additional markets thereafter.

ETSI and Global VSAT Forum Technical Collaboration
The European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) and the Global VSAT Forum have agreed to collaborate on the development of technical arrangements related to advanced satellite-based Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) systems.

Under the agreement ETSI and the Global VSAT Forum will co-ordinate technical work being undertaken by each organisation. The two organisations will liaise to extend the use of ETSI TC SES standards world-wide.

The three-year agreement involves close co-operation between the two organisations, with the exchange of satellite-related technical information and participation in programmes that are already well underway at both ETSI and the Global VSAT Forum.

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) is a non-profit making organisation whose mission is to produce the telecommunications standards that will be used for decades to come throughout Europe and beyond. Based in Sophia Antipolis (France), ETSI unites 773 members from 52 countries inside and outside Europe, and represents administrations, network operators, manufacturers, service providers, research bodies and users. The Institute's work programme is determined by its members, who are also responsible for approving its deliverables. As a result, ETSI's activities are maintained in close alignment with the market needs expressed by its members.

The Global VSAT Forum (GVF) is the UK-based, independent, non-partisan and non-profit organisation representing every major world region and every sector of the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) industry, including satellite operators, VSAT network operators, VSAT manufacturers, system integrators, value added and enhanced service providers, telecom carriers and users. The GVF has more than 80 members and serves as the unified voice of the industry in regulatory, policy and trade fora. The association co-ordinates regulatory and policy solutions at the national, regional and global level, and supports educational and promotional programmes.

Intelsat Leases Sinosat Transponders
Intelsat and Sino Satellite Communications Company Limited (Sinosat) have reached agreement to give Intelsat an option to lease capacity on the Sinosat-1 satellite located at 110.5° E.

Sinosat will provide up to six 36 MHz C band transponders to Intelsat to meet increasing customer demand in the Asia Pacific Region.

Sinosat-1 has linear C band landmass coverage which is very attractive for Internet backbone connections or ISP access, regional business voice/data networks, regional backbone networks, multimedia, VSAT/virtual private networks, and video contribution and distribution networks.

Sino Satellite Communications (Sinosat) serves satellite telecommunications network users from various domestic organisations, and also extends its services to customers in the Asia Pacific Region. The primary business range of Sinosat includes development, operation and maintenance of satellite telecommunications systems.

Lithuania to Establish Telecoms Regulator
Lithuania's government is to establish a regulator for the country's telecommunications industry.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications has announced that the Lithuanian government has adopted a decree to set up the Communications Regulation Agency (CRA), under provisions foreseen under the 1998 Telecommunications Act.

The CRA will be an independent body and will be responsible for the adoption and enforcement of regulations provided in the country's Telecommunications Act and matching EU criteria. Currently the Ministry of Transportation and Communications performs these functions.

The establishment of the CRA is seen as a necessary precursor to the full liberalisation of the Lithuanian telecoms market and the sale of the government's remaining 35% stake in Lithuanian Telecom in an initial public offering which closed last week. The other shareholders in Lithuanian Telecom are currently Sonera and Telia.

Lockheed Martin to Supply Astrolink Test Solutions
Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications has received a US$ 28 million contract from Astrolink LLC to design and integrate equipment to test components of the Astrolink satellite constellation.

Lockheed Martin will supply emulator/simulator hardware and software to enable testing and validation of the Astrolink payload and ground stations, as well as various satellite services, before and immediately after Astrolink satellites are launched.

Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications is a founding partner of the Astrolink strategic venture, a US$ 3.6 billion wireless broadband system. Astrolink is scheduled to become a global, satellite-based broadband service provider in 2003. Service is scheduled to start in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East, immediately followed by Asia.

Medium Rate Data On ACeS
ACeS International PT, Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN) and Nera ASA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of a Medium Data Rate (MDR) service for the ACeS system.

This will be a mobile and fixed data service that will be offered throughout Asia by ACeS in addition to the satellite operator's currently available voice service.

The agreement plans for the development of both a gateway and lightweight portable user terminal providing 128 kb/s mobile data services using the Garuda 1 satellite. The service is scheduled for launch commercially in 2001/2002.

Nera ASA intends to distribute the terminals through its existing Asian distribution network.

NetSat Express Awarded US$ 16 Million Contracts by Telefonica Data
NetSat Express, a leading provider of Internet services via satellite world-wide has been awarded contracts valued at approximately US$ 16 million by Telefonica Data, a subsidiary of the Spanish telecommunications giant, The Telefonica Group.

The combined contracts enable NetSat Express to be the total solutions provider of satellite-Internet backbone capabilities for Telefonica Data in five Latin American countries: Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Brazil.

As part of the contracts, services will be provided through a new earth station on the Hispasat 1 C satellite under construction by Globecomm Systems at the Long Island International Teleport in New York and through facilities in Latin America. In addition, NetSat Express will manage, support and consult on the extensive satellite-Internet network, as well as, supply and integrate Cisco router equipment into the network. NetSat Express will also be providing the protocol knowledge base to merge the satellite network with the Telefonica Data backbone, acting as Telefonica Data's total solutions provider for satellite-Internet capabilities. NetSat Express, through an arrangement with Globecomm Systems, will operate and maintain the satellite earth station infrastructure required for the network.

NetSat Express is a global provider of Internet backbone services via satellite. Currently, NetSat Express offers start-up and expanding ISPs world-wide connectivity, hardware, hosting and service packages to allow for the emergence of the Internet in areas of the world under-served by technology.

The parent company of NetSat Express, Globecomm Systems, provides end-to-end, value-added satellite-based communications services and satellite ground segment systems and networks which support a wide range of satellite communications applications.

New Media Regulator in South Africa
South Africa's telecommunications and broadcasting regulatory authorities are to merge, creating a new regulatory body.

The merger follows from the South African Communications Authority Bill, amended to the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Act.

ICASA will regulate telecommunications and broadcasting taking on the current responsibilities of SATRA (South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority) and the IBA (Independent Broadcasting Authority). The merger is intended to streamline operations.

PanAmSat Launches Digital Platform for Chinese Australians
PanAmSat's PAS-8 Pacific Ocean Region satellite will serve as the high-power transmission platform for the first all Chinese-language direct-to-home (DTH) television service in Australia.

Offered by TVB (Australia) Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Hong Kong's TVBI Company Ltd, the new 24-hour digital service will begin this July, beaming multiple channels of Chinese-language programming directly to consumers' homes throughout the Australia.

Hong Kong-based TVBI, the world's largest producer and distributor of Chinese-language programming, will employ a full 36 MHz transponder on the Ku band Australia beam of PanAmSat's PAS-8 satellite to deliver up to a dozen DTH channels to Chinese-speaking audiences throughout Australia. The multi-channel service, set to begin on July 1, 2000, can be accessed by subscribers using a 60 cm rooftop antenna and related equipment.

The TVB (Australia) service will be PanAmSat's sixth DTH platform worldwide, joining PanAmSat's DTH platforms for customers in Australia, Latin America, South Africa and Taiwan.

Three Satellite Service Providers Select SkyStream Networks to Broadcast Internet Data
SkyStream Networks, a leading provider of broadcast Internet equipment, will provide three leading companies in Asia with the networking technology to deliver multimedia-rich Internet services, such as streaming video and audio, over broadcast networks such as digital television and satellite to consumers throughout Asia.

With SkyStream's products, Advent Television, Pacific Convergence Corporation (PCC) and Shin Satellite are enhancing the quality and delivery of rich Internet content, such as live Webcasts and other popular Web content that is being streamed over a broadcast medium such as satellite or digital television to their customer's PCs and televisions.

Hong Kong-based PCC, a leading Asian provider of broadband Internet services; Advent Television, Asia's first DVB-T digital television service provider and broadcaster; and Shin Satellite, a leading satellite service operator in Thailand; are using SkyStream's innovative Source and Edge Media Routers to deliver multimedia-rich Internet content wirelessly over broadcast networks.

Advent Television is using SkyStream's technology to instantly deliver multimedia-rich Internet content, such as streaming video and live Webcasts, to televisions across Asia, South America, Central Europe and the United States.

PCC is using SkyStream's Source Media Routers to deliver rich Internet content over digital satellite and cable networks to PCs and TVs, enabling broadband Internet deployment to 130 million households throughout Asia.

Shin Satellite is using SkyStream's technology to deliver Internet-over-satellite services to local ISPs and existing home viewers in Thailand.

SkyStream offers an end-to-end solution for content distribution for ISPs, cable providers and broadcasters who want to deliver and receive Internet content via satellite, digital television or cable networks. SkyStream's comprehensive family of networking products consists of the following:

• SkyStream's Source Media Routers (SMR): Broadcasters, satellite and cable companies use these uplink or head-end products to deliver Internet services over broadcast networks to service providers or directly to consumers.
• The SkyStream 2000 Edge Media Routers (EMR): The EMR receives the Internet content that is sent over broadcast networks by SMRs and then delivers it to Internet edge servers, which forward the content to consumers via last-mile technologies.
• SkyStream's Broadcast Internet Director: Broadcast and network operators use this software technology to deliver high-quality broadband streaming media, Web caching and content delivery services to ISPs and consumers in a powerful, scalable and cost-effective way.

WRC 2000 Results
After four weeks of negotiations in Istanbul, the World Radiocommunication Conference 2000 (WRC 2000) in Istanbul has reached a number of agreements about spectrum allocations for future satellite systems.

The WRC is the international forum where ITU Member States come together to revise an international treaty - the Radio Regulations, which contain not only allocations to over 40 radiocommunication services but also provide the technical, operational and regulatory conditions for the use of the radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. It is held every two to three years with the purpose of reaching consensus on changes in the Regulations.

WRC 2000 was attended by 2037 delegates from 150 countries including 83 companies registered as part of their national delegations and 326 observers from 95 organisations (operators, manufacturers, international organisations and telecommunications-related organisations).

Satellite related issues addressed by the Conference included third-generation International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT-2000), spectrum sharing between geostationary (GSO) and non-geostationary satellites (non-GSO), broadcasting satellite, global positioning systems, the radio astronomy services and due diligence and cost recovery for satellite filings.

• Third-Generation International Mobile Telecommunications:
  
  Additional spectrum for third-generation International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT-2000) was agreed, effectively giving the green light to the mobile industry worldwide to deploy third-generation networks and services. IMT-2000 is intended to bring high-quality mobile multimedia telecommunications to a worldwide mass market based on a set of radio interfaces specified in the ITU standard which was agreed at the Radiocommunication Assembly held the week before the WRC.
  
  The decision provides for three common bands, available on a global basis for countries wishing to implement the terrestrial component of IMT-2000. The agreement provides for a high degree of flexibility to allow operators to evolve towards IMT-2000 according to market and other national considerations. Making use of existing mobile and mobile-satellite frequency allocations, it does not preclude the use of these bands for other types of applications or by other services to which these bands are allocated - a key factor that enabled the consensus to be reached. While the decision of the Conference globally provides for the immediate licensing and manufacturing of IMT-2000 in the common bands, each country will decide on the timing of availability at the national level according to need. This high degree of flexibility will also enable countries to select those parts of the bands where sharing with existing services is the most suitable, taking account of existing licences.

• Sharing Between Geostationary (GSO) And Non-Geostationary Satellites (Non-GSO):
  
  Conditions for the operation of non-geostationary satellites (Skybridge) have been agreed balancing the need to protect GSO networks, ensuring that GSO operators can continue to deliver the highest quality communications services from long-distance and international telephony to television and broadband Internet applications, while allowing new non-GSO systems to operate without undue constraints. The new non-GSO systems promise to deliver new 'broadband' services which have the potential to deliver Internet and multimedia applications to homes and businesses anywhere in the world.
  
  The decisions of the Conference include some limits on earth stations of GSO networks and power limits on non-GSO systems to enable their co-existence without unacceptable interference. These power limits provide a quantitative measure of what is unacceptable and defines the rules of sharing in the Ku band (10 - 18 GHz).
  
  The previous WRC, held in 1997, granted access to these frequency bands to SkyBridge-type systems, on condition that technical studies be conducted to develop appropriate technical parameters and rules in order to protect existing geostationary satellite and terrestrial communications networks from interference. WRC 2000 approved the results of those studies and inserted the new provisions in the ITU Radio Regulations.

• Broadcasting-Satellite:
  
  A new broadcasting-satellite plan for Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific has been adopted that can deliver direct satellite TV broadcasting signals to a growing customer base. The new Plan accords generally one orbital position per country in Europe and Africa from which an equivalent of 10 analogue channels can be delivered. For Asia and Australasia, 12 analogue channels are available per country's orbital position. The decisions of WRC-2000 secure an economic capacity for each country to take up whenever market conditions are ripe without the fear of a shortage of spectrum in bands which are highly in demand by rapidly growing space-based systems and a host of other services.

• Global Positioning Systems:
  
  WRC-2000 provided additional allocations for the radionavigation-satellite service which will be used to support a new satellite positioning system - Europe's Galileo - to add to the two current systems, Russia's GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and the US Global Positioning System (GPS).
  
  The additional spectrum ensures protection of the GPS and GLONASS signals and makes it possible for them to develop into second-generation more precise systems while providing room for Europe's new system.

Earth Observation

Avtec Systems to Supply Front End Telemetry Processing for SCISAT-1
Avtec Systems Inc. has been awarded a contract from Bristol Aerospace, a Magellan Aerospace company, to supply high-speed front-end telemetry processing systems for the Canadian Space Agency's SCISAT-1 programme.

Bristol Aerospace is the prime contractor for the SCISAT-1 programme - an international study of ozone depletion in the atmosphere that will use data collected by a Canadian satellite to be launched in 2002.

Avtec's PTP, Programmable Telemetry Processor, systems have been selected to perform telemetry and telecommand operations for this mission by implementing fully compliant CCSDS data processing. CCSDS is an international standard for telemetry and command links that uses networking concepts similar to Internet protocols, but is adapted to the unique conditions of satellite communications. Avtec's PTP systems are COTS products that operate as TT&C gateways between space and terrestrial data networks that support complete remote control, monitoring and routing operations. The PTP provides full life-cycle support from integration and test through operations.

The SCISAT-1 satellite will be launched in co-operation with NASA. The mission will include the CSA satellite and one from NASA on a single launch vehicle, a Pegasus XL class rocket.

Military Space

US$ 99 Million DMSP Contract for Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation's Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector (ES3) has been awarded a US$ 99 million contract from the US Air Force Space and Missile System Center to provide consolidated support and services for 13 mission sensors for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP).

The DMSP monitors the meteorological, oceanographic and solar-geophysical environment of the earth for both military and civilian purposes. The contract began on May 1 and runs through November 2004.

ES3 will provide a wide range of hardware and software support and services for the program, including visible and infrared cloud imagers, a microwave imager, an ultraviolet imager and space environment monitors.

The principal tasks covered under the contract include maintenance of the sensors on the ground and in orbit; provision of the sensors to the spacecraft integrator; integration and test; launch and early orbit checkout support; enhancement and improvement studies; and support for improvement of ground-based sensor processing functions.

The Space Systems business unit has been under continuous contract with the Air Force for the DMSP since 1966, designing, building and delivering 21 Block V OLS systems.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems, a unit of Northrop Grumman ES3, has supplied the sensors for scores of space-based missions. Advanced space programs currently include the OrbView commercial remote sensing systems, the Warfighter-1 hyperspectral sensor, SBIRS-High camera system and the Discoverer II radar payload for future space missions.

Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector, headquartered in Baltimore, designs, develops and manufactures defence electronics and systems, precision weapons, airspace management systems, marine systems, space systems, and automation and information systems.

Science

NEAR Instrument Deactivated Following Failure
One of NEAR Shoemaker's six scientific instruments has been turned off after the NEAR mission team detected a power surge in the device.

During routine operations on May 13, the Near-Infrared Spectrometer (NIS) inexplicably began drawing excessive current from the spacecraft's power supply and stopped sending data. Engineers shut down the instrument and began examining potential causes, but after a minute-long "turn on" test June 5 showed the problem remained, the NEAR team opted to keep the instrument off until it could gather more information.

Designed to map the mineral composition of the asteroid's surface by measuring the reflected spectrum of sunlight, NIS has already contributed much to this mission. Its best data came from a low-angle flyby of Eros on February 13, when it mapped the minerals on the asteroid's northern hemisphere under near-perfect lighting conditions. So far, the instrument has gathered more than 58,000 "spectra" - or separate infrared readings - covering more than 60% of the asteroid.

NEAR Shoemaker is currently 136 million km from Earth, in orbit 50 km above Eros. On July 7, the spacecraft will begin moving in for its closest look at Eros yet - a 10-day orbit just 35 km from the asteroid.

Manned Space

Canadian Space Agency Awards Can$ 18.1 Million in ISS Contracts
The Canadian Space Agency has awarded Can$ 18.1 million in contracts to three Canadian firms involved in advanced technology and multimedia training as part of Canada's contribution to the International Space Station (ISS).

The contracts will directly create 48 specialised jobs in engineering and high-tech educational software development. These will help train the astronauts and mission controllers who will provide support for the Canadian Mobile Servicing System. This system is the new generation of the CANADARM.

Tecsult Eduplus in Montreal, Quebec, landed a contract to design and develop a training program and simulator, as well as virtual reality-based multimedia learning software. This Can$ 4.5 million contract will create 12 jobs until the completion of International Space Station assembly work, slated for early 2005. The Tecsult Eduplus training program will be used to train International Space Station astronauts, cosmonauts and mission controllers. The firm also has a contract to design and produce computer-based materials-graphics, animation and simulators-for use in International Space Station engineering projects. This second contract, valued at Can$ 2.1 million, will create six jobs.

Three contracts totalling Can$ 6.3 million were awarded to Barada Consulting in Verdun, Quebec, to provide support for Mobile Servicing System Operations Centre activities at the Canadian Space Agency headquarters in St Hubert. These contracts will create 18 jobs related to the training of astronauts and controllers, as well as logistical and engineering support to maintain the International Space Station.

Calian in Kanata, Ontario, was awarded a Can$ 5.2 million contract to set up a 12-person team, which will be part of the support group for the in-orbit operations of the International Space Station's Mobile Servicing System. These specialists will plan robot operations, which they will monitor in space in real time.

Cosmonauts to Leave Mir on June 16
Russian space officials have announced that cosmonauts Sergei Zaliotin and Alexander Kalery will return to Earth from Mir on June 16. The cosmonauts have been resident on Mir since April 6.

MirCorp, which is leasing Mir, is planning a return trip to the space station in November for a further 2 month mission. This flight is provisionally scheduled to be launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome on November 30 and will be manned by Pavel Vinogradov and Salizhan Sharipov.

Technology

NASA Develops Robot Hand for Space Construction
A robotic system aimed at giving spacewalking astronauts a hand is being refined at NASA's Johnson Space Center. A mechanical hand very much like a human hand offers remarkable abilities to operate the same tools used by people in spacesuits.

The hand, in combination with an attached arm, is capable of actions as delicate as lifting small objects with tweezers. It is powerful enough to lift a 9.5 kg weight on the Earth's surface - giving it considerable capabilities in a zero-G environment.

Two of the hands will be used with the Robonaut system, which also includes two arms and swivelling head with cameras inside. The hand and the rest of the system are likely to find a range of applications on Earth. Among them are work in hazardous environments like some found in nuclear power plants and petroleum refineries. Makers of prosthetics also have expressed interest.

Designers have worked hard to make the hand function like a human's. Through the co-operation of local medical schools, they were able to dissect human hands to improve their understanding of how they work.

Chris S. Lovchik and M.A. "Ron" Diftler worked together on development of the hand, wrist and forearm. Lovchik, who works in Johnson Space Center's Robotics Technology Branch, did the hand design and forearm layout. Diftler, with Lockheed Martin's Automation and Robotics Department in Houston, worked on the wrist and forearm packaging. Their objective has been to reproduce in a machine some of the capabilities of a spacewalking astronaut, perhaps on the International Space Station. They decided the best approach was to make the robotic hands and arms like those of a human.

Hand rails, foot restraints, tools and other support for space-walking astronauts are built into the station or sent up for the astronaut's use. The challenge was to develop a robot that could make use of them. Such a hand also has advantages for operators, who can use years of experience with their own hands in controlling the machine.

The current model of the hand has 12 individual, controlled motions, or degrees of freedom. The hand and forearm weigh about 2.7 kg. In the 20 cm forearm are 14 electric motors, 13 circuit boards, 12 five-element drive trains for the fingers, two two-element drives for the wrist, 42 base-level sensors which provide information on the position and velocity of each actuator. Tactile sensors, which will allow the hand operator a degree of feeling, will be added soon.

Developers believe that as the hand evolves, other applications will emerge. The hand and the robot, together with a human operator some distance away, may eventually have the capability to do almost anything a human could do.

Launch Vehicles

Clinton Lifts Restrictions on Ukrainian Launches
The US and Ukrainian governments have signed an agreement overturning a previous agreement dating form 1996 which limited the number of commercial launches from the Ukraine.

A similar constraint on commercial launches from Russia has not been modified, though last July the Russian quota was raised to 20 commercial launches by the Clinton administration.

H-IIA Solid Booster Test Results
NASDA has performed a ground test of its Solid Rocket Booster to investigate nozzle problems.

The ground propulsion test was performed at the Ground Combustion Test Facilities for Solid Rocket of the Takesaki launch site at the Tanegashima Space Center.

The booster nozzle was eroded much more than NASDA had expected and disintegrated during the test. After the test, fragments of CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic) were found scattered about the test site.

NASDA's analysis concludes that:

• The Throat Insert fell into the motor case.
• Parts of the upstream side Radiation Shield (made of CFRP) and the Liner Insert (made of CFRP) at the rear of the Throat Insert were damaged. These parts matched with the scattered CFRP.
• At the end of propulsion test, red-hot material was scattered from the nozzle.

From the above, the following have been inferred:

• Just as the propulsion ended, the Throat Insert moved to the upstream side of the nozzle. That caused damage to a portion of the Radiation Shield, which broke into pieces and was discharged from the nozzle.
  
  The propulsion pressure maintaining the Throat Insert declines when propulsion is completed. In some cases, the Throat Insert is pushed to the upstream side by the balance of the gas pressure that the Liner Insert develops and the binding power of the Radiation Shield. It had been anticipated that this could happen, the Throat Insert to the upstream side had also moved in previous propulsion tests.
• Because the Throat Insert detached from the nozzle, the rear of the Liner Insert was exposed and fell off.

Approximately the same amount of erosion on the Radiation Shield (including scattered CFRP) was seen in previous tests. In the future, more in-depth mechanism investigations shall be conducted on these phenomena

Joint Venture to Launch NASDA's J1 Rocket
Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) is in talks with six companies to establish a satellite launching venture for Japan's next generation J1 launcher currently under development by NASDA.

IHI is discussing the venture with Lockheed Martin, Mitsubishi Corp, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd, Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd, Aerojet and subsidiary IHI Aerospace Co.

The consortium would finance a third of the J1 launcher's US$ 370 million development costs with the remainder being paid by NASDA.

The J1 is scheduled to begin operation in 2005 and will be able to lift 3 tonnes to GTO.

Nine Ariane 5 Flights for ATV Missions to the ISS
The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a billion Euro contract with Arianespace for nine firm Ariane 5 flights to carry the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). The commercial order will cover Ariane 5 missions from late 2003 and through 2014.

The ATV is a spacecraft designed to bring fuel, water, supplies and other cargo to the International Space Station. Weighing approximately 20 metric tons, the ATV will be placed by Ariane 5 into a 300 km circular orbit inclined 51.6 degrees. The spacecraft will then manoeuvre in orbit to rendezvous with the space station. An ATV will be launched to the ISS approximately every 15 months over a ten year period.

The Automated Transfer Vehicle has two mission roles. It is able to raise the altitude of the ISS at regular intervals to counter the effects of atmospheric drag which tends to slowly but inexorably to lower the stations altitude. The ATV is also able to transport unpressurised cargo such as propellant and other liquids to the International Space Station. It also has a pressurised cargo module for transporting payload, supplies and experiments to the Station. Finally, ISS rubbish and waste can be loaded into the ATV and disposed of during its destructive re-entry.

No Soyuz Launches from Kourou
Arianespace has dropped a plan to launch Russian built Soyuz rockets from its Centre Spatiale Guyanaise at Kourou, French Guiana because the venture would not have been profitable.

The venture would have required an investment of 200 M FF (about US$ 29 million) which would have been used to adapt the ground facilities at Kourou to the Soyuz rockets. The Soyuz rocket would have been used to launch groups of satellites for LEO constellations - a market which will fall far short of earlier predictions because of concerns about the economic viability of LEO services.

Instead, Arianespace intends to use the money for its Ariane 5 programme.

Another consideration in the decision to drop Soyuz launches was, apparently, concerns that the Soyuz and Ariane vehicles would end up in competition for the same launch contracts.

Launches

Gorizont 33

Launched: 6 June 2000
Site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Proton/Briz-M
Orbit: GEO: 145° E
International Number: 2000-029A
Name: Gorizont 33 (also known as Gorizont 45)
Owner:
Contractor: NPO-PM

Gorizont 33 is a geostationary communications satellite intended primarily for commercial TV services. It also carries a number of military transponders.

It is the first launch of a Gorizont satellite since 25 May 1996.

TSX-5

Launched: 7 June 2000
Site: Vandenberg Air Force Base
Launcher: Pegasus XL
Orbit: LEO
International Number: 2000-030A
Name: TSX-5
Owner: USAF
Contractor: Orbital

TSX-5 is a USAF Tri-Service Experiment number 5 satellite which also carries the USAF's Research Laboratory's Compact Environment Anomaly Sensor Experiment (CEASE).

The 250 kg TSX-5 spacecraft carries two research experiments intended to demonstrate advanced space technologies. Mission duration is one year.

One of these experiments is the Space Technology Research Vehicle-2 (STRV-2) satellite-to-ground laser communication experiment by AstroTerra Corporation. Its objective is to establish a high-bandwidth laser communication link between a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a fixed ground station with slant ranges up to 2,000 km and data rates up to 1 Gb/s. Test will begin 20 June. The STRV-2 laser project, was funded by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organisation and the US Army Space and Missile Defense command.

Business

African Sky Communications Completes Initial Network Funding
African Sky Communications has completed initial funding and received conditional approval from the Canadian Venture Exchange for its Offering Memorandum.

The company has raised a total of $1,422,500 at $0.40 per unit. Each unit consists of one common share and 1/2 A and 1/2 B warrants. Each whole A warrant entitles the subscriber to purchase one common share at $0.70 until December 15th, 2000 and each whole B warrant entitles the subscriber to purchase one common share at $1.15 until March 6, 2001.

The proceeds of this financing will be applied to the implementation of the Company's first two pilot projects in South Africa. The pilot projects consist of two TeleTrade Centres (TTC) and two Wireless Private Subscriber Services (WPSS) networks in communities located outside of Johannesburg, South Africa.

The TeleTrade Centre is a communications centre located in communities with a population of not less than 30,000 within a 10 mile radius. The TTC will offer communications services on a prepaid basis and will facilitate the delivery of telemedicine and distance learning services utilising VSAT satellite communications.

The WPSS network is a wireless network connecting businesses, residences, and local community institutions such as schools and health clinics to the global communications network. These services will generally be offered on a prepaid basis.

The first TeleTrade Centre is expected to be implemented by the end of June 2000.

Further to the announcement of December 3rd, 1999 the Company has cancelled the private placement, which it submitted for approval to the Canadian Venture Exchange for 14,000,000 common shares at $0.40. The Company will be seeking future funding for the purpose of expanding its coverage in South Africa.

African Sky Communications Inc is a Canadian public company listed on the Canadian Venture Exchange trading under the symbol 'PHN'. The Company focuses on providing communications services throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. African Sky Communications Inc, through a joint venture has obtained the right to provide communication services in South Africa. In addition the Company has an agreement with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to implement and operate communication networks in it's 21 member states. Currently South Africa has a teledensity (number of main telephone lines per 100 people) of less than 12 and the COMESA region has a teledensity of less than 1. The Company is utilising wireless and satellite based communications and is delivering services such as telemedicine and distance learning specifically to the women and children in the region. Currently the Company is in the process of implementing the first phase of it's network in South Africa.

American Millennium Corporation Announces Private Placement
American Millennium Corporation Inc (AMCI) has entered into an option agreement with six private investors.

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the investors will have rights to purchase from the Company options and warrants up to an aggregate of 8,000,000 newly issued shares (constituting approximately 25% on a fully diluted basis) of the Company's common stock, at prices ranging from US$ 1.00 to US$ 5.25 per share. If the investors were to elect to exercise such rights in full, the total proceeds to the Company under the agreement would be approximately US$ 15,500,000 to US$ 23,500,000, depending upon exercise periods. The investors are not obligated to purchase any shares from the Company.

The rights of the investors to acquire shares under the agreement will terminate if the investors fail to pay the required option fees (which fees, if paid, will be credited to the purchase price payable upon subsequent purchases of shares by the investors) or make certain purchases of shares within time frames established in the agreement. Under the agreement, in order to retain the right to purchase the entire number of shares referred to above, the investors will be required to invest approximately US$ 7,000,000 within approximately thirteen months. There is no assurance that all or any of the options will be purchased under the agreement.

AMCI is a provider of wireless and wire-line solutions for tracking mobile assets and remote monitoring of fixed assets through a network of Low Earth Orbit satellites (LEOs), geostationary satellites (GEOs), and Local Area Networks (LANs). AMCI has hundreds of satellite communication systems in the field tracking, monitoring, and reporting data on oil wells, natural gas compressors, rail cars, and trucks.

Asian Star Chosen to Market Chinese Academy of Space Technology
Asian Star Development Inc has been selected by China's space agency, the Chinese Academy of Space Technology, China's, as the agent for the Academy.

Asian Star will represent the academy in introducing and promoting, on an international basis, the academy's various commercial products, such as satellite communication networks, global positioning systems and all other commercial products developed by the Academy.

The world-wide mandate includes developing programmes of cultural and technological exchanges, contacting potential technology partners and clients, and co-ordinating international joint ventures and alliances for the Academy.

ATC Teleports Acquires US Electrodynamics
ATC Teleports Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Tower Corporation has completed the acquisition of US Electrodynamics Inc for approximately US$ 60 million in cash and stock.

The acquisition of USEI includes 52 antennas and teleport facilities in Brewster, Washington, Whitinsville, Massachusetts and Kingman, Arizona for Internet, voice, data and video services. The new facilities will make ATC Teleports the largest teleport operator in the US, with over 160 antennas at 10 teleport locations. A 16.4-meter antenna on Intelsat 707 satellite at the Brewster, Washington teleport will increase ATC Teleports' single hop global reach for Internet transmissions as far as India. The acquired facilities will expand ATC's existing nationwide fibre connectivity to include the West Coast and direct access to MAE West.

ATC Teleports, Inc. is a leading provider of domestic and international satellite and IP network services. The company owns and operates more than 160 antennas accessing most major satellite systems from US teleport locations in Arizona, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Texas, Washington state and Washington DC. ATC Teleports supplies terrestrial connections to major points of presence (POPs), co-location facilities and switching centres. It has 24x7 Technical Operations Centres at all major facilities. The teleports offer comprehensive networked solutions, including complete engineering, management and technical assistance for full-time and occasional-use video, Internet, data, voice, as well as Maritime applications.

Integral Systems Stock Buy Back Plan
Integral Systems Inc has announced that its Board of Directors has approved a plan to repurchase up to 10% of its common stock. The stock repurchase program will be transacted over an indefinite period of time and purchases will be made as management and the Board of Directors deem prudent.

Integral Systems is a leading provider of satellite ground systems and has supported over 100 different satellite missions for communications, science, meteorological and earth resource applications. Customers throughout the world use Integral Systems' EPOCH 2000 software product, the world's first COTS satellite command and control software package. The Orbit Analysis System (OASYS) module of EPOCH 2000 also is sold as a stand-alone product and allows operators to perform satellite orbit determination and control. In addition to these products, the Company provides systems for satellite payload processing, spacecraft integration and test, simulation, and environmental monitoring.

Iridium Supports Castle Harlan's Bid

Iridiums lawyers have argued in favour of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York accepting Castle Harlan's US$ 50 million bid for the Iridium system, saying it is the best offer available.

Castle Harlan is currently providing US$ 200,000 a month to finance Iridium's continuing operations. This figure would increase to US$ 900,000 a month from the time its bid is approved until the deal is finalised.

Castle Harland's final bid, which would include a US$ 2 million break up fee and a 5% equity shareholding in the new company for Iridium's creditors will be presented to the court on July 21.

A competing bid from Venture Partners is also on the table.

A hearing is currently scheduled for 31 July for the court to rule on bids for Iridium.

PanAmSat Opens Hong Kong Office
PanAmSat has opened a regional office in Hong Kong to meet the demand for global satellite-based video and data broadcasting services throughout Greater China and Southeast Asia.

PanAmSat's Hong Kong office will be the first point of contact for broadcasters, telecommunications companies, Internet service providers and corporations throughout the region to receive information on PanAmSat's world-wide capabilities, including four satellites serving China and Southeast Asia.

Maurice Liu has been appointed to lead the new Hong Kong office as regional director, Greater China and Southeast Asia.

Sea Launch to Leave Cayman Islands
Satellite launch company Sea Launch has announced that it is to move its head office from the Cayman Islands to Long Beach, California.

The company already has its floating launch platform base of operations and technical support facilities at Long Beach.

Although Sea Launch originally based itself in the Cayman Islands because no direct taxation is paid there, it has been reported that the company, a joint venture between Boeing, RSC Energia, KB Yuzhnoye/PO Yuzhmash and Kvaerner Group, was pressured into moving by the US government. Lead partner Boeing is heavily dependent on government contracts and was, apparently, encouraged to move the company to the USA where its book will be open to taxpayer scrutiny as well as having its profits taxed.

Seven Seas to Sell Assets to Stratos
Seven Seas Communications Inc has reached a definitive agreement to sell its assets to Stratos Global Corporation. The transaction is subject to due diligence and other closing conditions.

Seven Seas is the largest reseller of global and regional satellite communication solutions in the Americas. The company offers a full suite of products including Inmarsat, MSAT and Globalstar, as well as value-added services.

With several strategically located sales offices, Seven Seas has built a leading position in key land and maritime vertical market segments including natural resources, commercial fishing, and yachting.

Stratos, headquartered in Toronto, Canada, provides customers operating in remote locations a variety of wireless IP, data, and voice solutions through a range of technologies including Inmarsat, VSAT, microwave and Globalstar. Stratos serves an array of diverse markets including government, military and industrial users anywhere in the world.

Titan to Acquire Ivoire Telecom
The Titan Corporation has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire a majority interest in Ivoire Telecom, a provider of voice and data transmission service to the corporate VSAT market in several West African countries through its local subsidiary companies.

Ivoire Telecom currently provides voice and data transmission service to corporate customers in eight countries with licenses to expand into additional service offerings such as the provision of long-distance service in each country of operation. Closing is expected to occur in the second quarter upon completion of the definitive agreement and satisfaction of certain other conditions. No financial details regarding the transaction were released.

The acquisition, once completed, of a majority interest in Ivoire Telecom is part of Titan's strategy, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Titan Wireless, of capitalising on the cost-effectiveness of Titan's satellite technology, the opportunities presented by deregulation, and an increasing desire by the corporate market for higher quality voice, data, and Internet service. The acquisition will quickly expand Titan's presence in Africa's corporate VSAT market. Ivoire Telecom is currently providing voice and data transmission services in the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, and Guinea and plans to expand into additional African countries. The company also holds a minority interest in a telecommunications business in the Central African Republic.

In addition, Ivoire Telecom will provide Titan with a new hub in Paris, France, and a new gateway in Abidjan, Ivory Coast from which to expand its long-distance operations. Through hubs in the US and the UK, Titan and its partners currently carry voice and data traffic to 13 different satellite gateways in countries throughout Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The Ivoire Telecom hub and gateway will provide Titan with additional long-distance traffic originating or terminating in Europe and Africa. The acquisition also will provide Titan with the right to establish additional gateways to carry long-distance traffic in each country where Ivoire Telecom is currently operating.

People

Management Changes at Teledyne
Teledyne Technologies Incorporated has announced that Stefan C. Riesenfeld has decided to resign from his position as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, effective June 6, 2000, to pursue a new opportunity.

Effective immediately, Dale A. Schnittjer will serve as acting chief financial officer. He will also continue his duties as corporate controller while Teledyne actively recruits a new chief financial officer.

Pace Micro Technology Appoints New Director
Pace Micro Technology plc has appointed a new non-executive director, Marvin L Jones.

Marvin Jones is currently Chief Executive Officer of the National Cable Television Center and Museum in the USA. He has vast experience in the US cable television and communications industry through senior executive positions at AT&T and TCI and his own business as an independent cable television consultant.

Pace Micro Technology plc is the world's largest dedicated developer of digital set-top box technology. The company is a pioneer of digital technology for the home and has played a key role establishing the international market for pay television services.

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