17 December 2000

Satcoms

BSkyB Orders Eutelsat Uplink Station from Globecomm
Globecomm Systems Europe Limited has been awarded a US$ 1.3 million contract, by British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB), to provide a digital television satellite uplink facility in the United Kingdom.

Under the terms of the contract, Globecomm Systems Europe will provide design, engineering, installation and testing of an Eutelsat Satellite Uplink Terminal capable of supporting approximately 40 television channels initially, with expansion capability to support 80 or more channels. The project is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of calendar 2001.

Comsat Mobile ISDN Service Now Available Globally
Comsat Mobile Communications (CMC), a business unit of Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications (LMGT), has commercially launched its newest high-speed data (HSD) mobile satellite service, Comsat Mobile ISDN, throughout the Indian Ocean Region. The Comsat Mobile ISDN service is now available to land mobile customers worldwide.

The new offering is Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)-compatible and enables voice and HSD communications at speeds up to 64 kb/s. Comsat Mobile ISDN makes possible direct dial-up LAN-based applications such as World Wide Web and intranet browsing, videoconferencing, store-and-forward video, e-mailing, e-commerce and image transfer.

Earlier this year, Comsat Mobile ISDN service was launched for land mobile customers operating in North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Asia and the Pacific Rim.

EMS Technologies Awarded Anik F2 Ka Band Antenna Contract
EMS Technologies Inc has received an order worth US$ 4.3 million from Boeing Space systems to design, manufacture and test a Ka band multi-element transmit antenna for the Anik F2 satellite.

The Anik F2 satellite, based on the Boeing 702 bus, is being built by Boeing Space Systems for Telesat Canada Inc. In addition to providing C band and Ku band service to supplement and replace those currently provided by the Anik E satellites, Anik F2 will also provide a new direct-to-home, 2-way interactive broadband Internet access and multimedia service using Ka band technology. The Ka band system will provide coverage to users in Canada, the United States and northern Mexico through the use of 45 spot beams.

The Anik F2 Ka band Spot Beam Antenna comprises 4 identical 1.5 m parabolic reflectors and 4 unique feed arrays. Each feed array has 11 or 12 horns and polariser feed chains for a total of 45 beams. At the high Ka band frequencies, very tight tolerances are required to guarantee performance. The feed assembly must also be designed to be very resistant to passive intermodulation (PIM).

While the contract was recently signed, work began on this program in May 2000 under an Authorisation to Proceed from the customer, and is expected to continue until September 2001. The Preliminary Design Review was completed successfully, flight reflector fabrication has begun, and flight feed components are being ordered.

eSAT Inc Upgrades Its VSAT Hub Facility
eSAT Inc, a leading broadband service provider offering and integrating wireless, satellite and network management solutions, has completed upgrades to its Network Hub located in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The upgrades will provide increased efficiency and additional features for customers of eSAT's Nexstream service. Providing IP-based solutions, Nexstream, a bi-directional satellite communications solution, employs satellite downstream and upstream transmission, which bypasses the limitations of earthbound infrastructures.

Nexstream offers significant benefits to organisations with mission-critical applications and high-speed data delivery needs. Its advantages include flexible bandwidth of 16 kb/s to 384 kb/s uplink speed, up to 8 Mb/s downlink speed, DES 56 encryption, and short procurement cycles and installation times.

Nexstream customers are connected to the system through Remote Gateways that communicate directly with interactive servers located at the Hub station, via satellite.

The asymmetrical hub-based design of the improved Nexstream system simplifies end user functionality, while enabling users to control their own network design and bandwidth usage.

Faisat and BellSouth Collaborate on Wireless Network
BellSouth Wireless Data and Final Analysis are collaborating in the development of a new wireless data offering that will expand BellSouth Wireless Data's satellite offerings by integrating new satellite technology with the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network.

Dual-mode subscriber units, ranging from PDAs to mobile data terminals, will enable customers to seamlessly and automatically roam from the terrestrial core of the BellSouth Intelligent Wireless Network to the Faisat satellite system when terrestrial coverage is unavailable.

The Faisat system of "Little LEO" satellites is being built by Final Analysis with partners General Dynamics, Raytheon, L-3 Communications and Polyot of Russia. The system will deliver digital data information and messaging services to mass markets, including Internet-related growth markets beginning 2002.

Design of the integrated terrestrial/satellite wireless data offering is expected to be complete next year. The service would augment integrated satellite services already available that give BellSouth Wireless Data customers the ability to have 100% coverage of their work forces in the United States.

BellSouth Wireless Data and Final Analysis will begin immediately to develop a strategic marketing and network development plan followed by a pilot programme to test the technical operation, user acceptance and design of the integrated terrestrial/satellite offering.

Intelsat to Order IP Satellites
Intelsat's Board has agreed to solicit proposals for the purchase of a next-generation broadband satellite system. The initiative is part of a comprehensive broadband strategy, which also includes current and upcoming services on Intelsat's existing satellite fleet.

The new satellite system will be a key element in the company's progressive roll-out of managed last-mile access services.

Starting next year, two-way, high-speed Internet protocol (IP) access solutions will be offered to service providers on a wholesale basis using existing satellites. The service will help connect end users to the public Internet backbone or to the private network infrastructure of the service provider. Primary customers of this service will be businesses needing a range of applications such as high-speed web access, EDI, e-business, file transfer, voice-IP and shared applications.

Deployment of the next-generation, high capacity, multi-beam satellites by 2004 will give Intelsat enhanced capabilities and greater network capacity to meet increasing customer needs. It will enable end users to take advantage of new evolutions in ground antenna products and, ultimately, to choose from upstream data rates of 128 kb/s to 8 Mb/s and shared downstream rates of 34 to 56 Mb/s.

This broadband access offering complements other Intelsat broadband services, including: existing and future IP backbone connectivity services; recently launched Intelsat Broadband VSAT and other services under development.

Investment in the next-generation system will total more than US$ 1.5 billion, with a contract expected by mid-2001. It will be deployed on a regional basis starting in Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, with future expansion to other regions. Intelsat already has nine new satellites on order for launch in the 2001-2003 timeframe, representing a total investment commitment of over US$ 3.2 billion.

Nigeria Returns to RASCOM
Nigeria has rejoined the Regional African Satellite Communications Organisation (RASCOM) after an absence of eleven years.

Nigeria left RASCOM in 1989 following the organisation's decision to locate its headquarters in Abidjan, capital of the Ivory Coast. At the time Nigeria objected because it felt that the choice of the Ivory Coast did not acknowledge Nigeria's commitment to and investment in the project.

RASCOM intends to launch a three geostationary satellite system to provide low cost telephony (cheaper by a factor of five compared to current tariffs) as well as radio and television broadcasting.

The first satellite will be called RASCOM Star. Alcatel Space has been chosen to manufacture the satellite and a launch date in 2003 has been proposed. It will provide C and Ku band coverage of the whole African continent.

PanAmSat to Participate in the NAP of the Americas
PanAmSat Corporation is participating in the development of a new high-speed network access point (NAP) to serve the needs of Internet service providers (ISPs) throughout the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.

The NAP of the Americas, to be located in Miami, Florida, will exchange Internet traffic between dozens of ISP networks, enabling interaction among millions of Internet users in diverse geographic regions.

A network access point is a high-speed Internet interconnection point that serves to link together ISPs, Internet backbone providers, other telecommunication service providers and educational institutions so Internet users served by one network may efficiently access or peer with another.

In addition to PanAmSat, the NAP of the Americas group has over 80 members, including 360networks, AmericaTel, AT&T, ATC Teleports, Broadwing, Cable & Wireless, EPIK Communications, Florida Fiber Network, Global Crossing, Global NAPS, GlobalXchange, IFX, Impsat, Level 3, Metromedia Fiber Network, Net2Phone, NEXTLINK, Terremark Worldwide Inc., Time Warner Telecom, University of Florida, University of Miami and Williams Communications.

Satmex Orders New Satellite
Mexican satellite operator Satmex has ordered a US$ 300 satellite from Space Systems/Loral.

The new satellite, to be called Satmex VI has been ordered following the recent failure of Satmex's Solidaridad 1 satellite. Construction of the satellite by Space Systems/Loral will begin in a few weeks time with launch scheduled for 2003. Loral has a 49% shareholding in Satmex.

Approximately US$ 250 million of the US$ 300 million cost of the satellite comes from the insurance payout for Solidaridad 1.

Earth Observation

Alcatel Space Awarded Eumetsat Ground Segment Contract
Alcatel Space has signed a contract with Eumetsat for the design, development and delivery of the Eumetsat Polar System (EPS) Core Ground Segment (CGS).

The EPS constitutes Europe's satellite contribution to the Initial Joint Polar System (IJPS), which is being co-ordinated with the United States to provide continuous global coverage for meteorology, climate monitoring and other applications.

The EPS space segment comprises three Metop satellites and instrumentation. EPS data will be used to meet European needs and to fulfil requirements for the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), as well as to provide data for global research programs, such as the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) and the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS).

The contract signed by Alcatel Space and Eumetsat is valued at approximately 60 million Euros.

In response to Eumetsat specifications, Alcatel Space will design the EPS CGS to perform the following tasks:

• satellite monitoring and control,
• mission planning,
• data acquisition and processing,
• product quality control, and
• near-real-time dissemination of products.

EPS CGS will be able to simultaneously handle twelve instruments divided among the Metop and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites.

Manned Space

Brainpool to Send Gameshow Winners Into Orbit
Brainpool TV, a German television production company, has announced that it intends to give Astrium a down payment of US$ 7.5 million towards the cost of sending seven game show winners into orbit.

Winning contestants, to be called "Space Commanders" are to be flown to the International Space Station using Russian Soyuz launchers. Seven flights, each carrying one winner are planned between 2002 and 2008. The cost per flight is probably in the region of US$ 20 million.

Brainpool expects to spend about US$ 46 million on 120 shows and a further US$ 11 million on related sponsorship. Brainpool subsidiary Space TV anticipates sales of over US$ 100 million in each country where the shows will be available (Germany, UK, France, Spain and Italy).

The company will start recruiting contestants from the five countries next year for the first flight. Six hundred contestants from each country will be selected and, over the course of the televised competition, a national winner from each country will be chosen. These five national winners will undergo six months cosmonaut training in Moscow. Viewers of the show will choose the ultimate winner who will then spend eight days in space.

MirCorp Ditches Mir, Adopts ISS
MirCorp's Board of Directors, meeting in Moscow last week, have decided to dramatically change their business strategy by stopping the marketing the Mir space station, but to continue operating MirCorp as a commercial space exploration company.

Specifically, the Board elected to pursue the following markets:

• Development and utilisation of a man-tended module capable of being docked to the International Space Station;
• Commercial utilisation of Energia production lines for manufacture of space transportation vehicles on a commercial basis; and
• Development of commercial infrastructure to support the International Space Station, from communication satellites to the tether program.

MirCorp also intends, where possible, to honour its obligations to its existing customers. It is not in the least bit clear how MirCorp can do this, particularly for its space tourist customers who no longer have a destination to travel to. MirCorp is obviously hoping that these tourists can transfer to the International Space Station but this may prove to be more wishful thinking rather than a real option, particularly during the construction phase of the space station which will continue for years.

MirCorp's existing investors of Gold & Appel and Dr Chirinjeev Kathuria have pledged a new round of financing to be completed within six weeks. In this new round a minimum of US$ 6 million will be used to begin the programs listed above, and to expand the current management team in order to find new investors.

Launch Services

Orbital and Northrop Grumman Team on 2nd Generation RLV Programme
Orbital Sciences Corporation and Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems Sector (ISS) have signed a wide-ranging teaming agreement to support the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) 2nd Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) program.

In addition, Orbital and Northrop Grumman submitted a major proposal to NASA to participate in America's space agency's plan to invest up to US$ 4.5 billion over the next five years to prepare for the full- scale development of the next-generation RLV that may eventually replace the Space Shuttle.

NASA's 2nd Generation RLV program, which is part of the agency's Space Launch Initiative (SLI), is designed to advance RLV technologies and system architectures that will support a decision by NASA for full-scale development of a new RLV by 2005. The Orbital team's submission, whose total potential value was not disclosed, includes proposals for RLV architecture systems engineering and several technology risk reduction activities. Under its proposal, the Orbital team will help define a safe, reliable, low-cost space transportation system that will enhance the civil exploration and commercial development of space.

NASA's 2nd Generation RLV Program is planned for an initial term of 10 months with options extending through 2005. It builds on the results of previous NASA work focusing on systems engineering and conceptual design. The two companies previously partnered on a two-year, US$ 6 million contract in support of NASA's Space Transportation Architecture Studies (STAS) and the follow-on risk reduction activities.

Under the proposal submitted, Orbital would serve as the prime contractor and would lead the architecture definition and systems engineering activities. Orbital also would co-ordinate both the technical and business assessments of alternative future launch architectures across all technology areas.

Unpaid Tax Threatens Rotary Rocket
Rotary Rocket could have its assets at its Mojave Airport test and development facility seized if it does not pay just over US$ 18,000 in overdue property taxes by the end of this month.

Kern County's treasurer-tax collector began action to recover the back tax after Rotary Rocket failed to pay its debt in August. If the payment is not made by January 1st the tax debt will increase to US$ 38,000 because of late payment penalties.

The company also owes US$ 22,453 in unpaid rent to the East Kern Airport District, the operator of the Mojave Airport. No decision has yet been made on how to recover this debt.

Rotary Rocket has been developing a hybrid between a helicopter and a rocket which it had hoped would become the world's first reusable single stage to orbit commercial launch vehicle. However, with the collapse of the LEO launch market following Iridium's bankruptcy, Rotary Rocket found it increasingly difficult over the last two years to raise the US$ 150 million it needed to continue funding its development programme. In June 1999 the company laid off 80% of its 70 strong workforce.

Business

Alcatel Space Ramps Up Production
Satellite manufacturer Alcatel Space has decided to increase its production capacity to fulfil new contracts.

Significant improvements will be made to facilities at company sites at Cannes, Toulouse sites and Valence site. The objective is to reach a global production capacity of about 10 telecommunication satellites per year, from six currently.

The expansion program focuses on investment in equipment and real estate and will cost Alcatel Space about 70 million Euros. The company will also have created 800 new jobs in 2000.

American Millennium Corp Awards Distribution Agreement to Locolizadores Satelitales
American Millennium Corporation Inc has entered into a distribution agreement with Locolizadores Satelitales SA (Losat) for AMCI's VisTrac solution for remote monitoring and control of fixed and mobile assets.

Under the terms of the Agreement Losat will market AMCI's products to the energy, industrial, commercial, container, transportation, and consumer vehicle markets throughout Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Belize, and Panama through their network of distributors.

EMS Technologies Acquires DSSI
EMS Technologies Inc has acquired Digital Space Systems Inc (DSSI), an Ottawa-based firm specialising in software used to manage search-and-rescue operations.

The acquisition follows several years of close collaboration between EMS and the DSSI organisation, which will be merged with the SARSAT Group in EMS' SATCOM Division. EMS's SARSAT Group has long held a leading position in the supply of ground terminals for use with the Cospas-Sarsat satellite-based system for detecting and locating electronic distress signals.

DSSI President and CEO Steven Edgett has been named vice president of the combined organisation, reporting to Neil Mackay, SATCOM vice president and general manager. The combined organisation will be known as the Emergency Management Products Group, and will be based in Ottawa. Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed.

DSSI has worked closely with US and Canadian national Rescue Co-ordination Centres to develop management systems to help them track and manage their geographically dispersed resources during rescue operations. Since DSSI's launch in 1995, it has become a leading provider of these systems, with major government customers that include the Canadian Department of National Defense and the United States Air Force.

EMS supplies hardware, specifically, SAR repeaters on the spacecraft and Local User Terminals (LUTs) and Mission Control Centres (MCCs) on the ground, that generates and communicates location data to emergency management authorities in 20 countries. DSSI provides those authorities with critical software that helps them respond to the distress signal and manage the search for and rescue of victims involved with the distressed ship, downed airplane, or other incident.

Iridium Satellite Completes Iridium Acquisition
With the completion of the acquisition of the operating assets of Iridium LLC and its subsidiaries, Iridium Satellite LLC (ISLLC) now owns Iridium's constellation of satellites, its terrestrial network, as well as its real and intellectual property.

ISLLC paid US$ 25 million (some as cash, but mostly debt) for the assets and believes that it can operate the network, including satellites for less than US$ 7 million per month. Motorola has previously quoted a figure of US$ 10 million per month just for the operation of the satellite constellation.

Services to the US government, which awarded a two year US$ 72 million contract to ISLLC for the provision of unlimited airtime for 20,000 users last week, will commence immediately with commercial services beginning in March next year. The company will market services to industrial users who operate outside the reach of the existing terrestrial infrastructure. Initially voice and data at 2.4 kb/s will be supported. Enhanced data and Internet access at 10 kb/s will be introduced within 6 months and short burst messaging will be added by the end of 2001. Motorola will provide the terminals after restarting its production line. Wholesale prices for access will be under US$ 1.00 per minute, while the retail price of airtime sold by wireless carrier partners for less than US$ 1.500 a minute.

65 of the 66 satellites in the primary constellation are currently operational. The failed satellite will be replaced by an in orbit backup satellite of which eight are available. Twelve additional spare satellites will be launched beginning in June next year through to March 2002. Boeing will take over the operation of the satellites from Motorola.

NEC and Toshiba to Combine Satellite Operations
Japanese electronics companies NEC and Toshiba will merge their satellite operations in April next year. The joint venture will capitalised at 7.0 billion yen (US$ 62.85 million).

NEC will own 60% of the joint venture with the remaining 40% being held by Toshiba. Annual sales of 100 billion yen are expected for the 2005/6 trading year.

Radyne ComStream Acquires ACES
Radyne ComStream has announced the acquisition of Armer Communications Engineering Services Inc (ACES), a private Arizona-based corporation that specialises in innovative solutions for the integration and installation of turnkey satellite communications systems.

This acquisition will provide Radyne ComStream with a broader ability to quickly integrate and install larger amounts of satellite communications systems worldwide for Internet by Satellite services.

The two companies have been business partners in various global projects for the past six years. It is anticipated that the combination will allow ACES to rapidly grow their business while providing yet another marketing channel for Radyne ComStream products.

The acquisition was completed for an undisclosed amount of cash and stock. Armer had unaudited revenues for the 10 months ended October 31, 2000 of approximately US$ 3 million.

People

Loral Skynet Announces Management Shuffle
Loral Skynet has announced changes in the structure of its senior leadership team. The new organisational structure includes the creation of three executive vice president positions and additional promotions.

Joan M. Byrnes, previously vice president of marketing and sales, will now assume the roll of executive vice president of marketing, sales, and business operations. Joan is responsible for all marketing activities, sales and business operations for Loral Skynet. She is also responsible for marketing, sales and operational leadership of the Loral Global Alliance.

Robert Hedinger, previously vice president of business development, will now assume the roll of executive vice president of business development and strategic planning. Bob is responsible for developing Loral Skynet's global growth strategy.

Richard Currier, previously vice president of service development and engineering, will now assume the roll of executive vice president of engineering and technical operations. Rich is responsible for satellite service development, satellite service engineering and technical operations for Loral Skynet.

Additional key leadership changes include: Ted Corus, previously director of strategic operations, will assume the roll of vice president of business operations and management; Charles Davidson, previously director of program management, will assume the roll of vice president of satellite and teleport operations. John Brown, previously vice president satellite engineering and operation, will assume the roll of vice president of satellite engineering and program management. Additionally, Richard Mortellero, previously sales director for the Americas and Europe will assume the roll of vice president of global sales. Robert Cashel, previously director of marketing, will assume the roll of vice president of global marketing and product management. Paul Attner, previously sales director for Asia will assume the role of director of product management.

Management Changes at ATK
ATK (Alliant Techsystems) has named Scott S Meyers as president and Eric S. Rangen as vice president and chief financial officer. Both will report to chief executive officer Paul David Miller (PDM).

Scott S Meyers will concentrate on corporate growth and supporting all related aspects of ATK's activity in this area. Additionally, he will be responsible for strategic planning, investor relations, and information systems.

Eric S. Rangen will be responsible for ATK's finance, audit, and treasury operations.

Teledyne Technologies Names Robert Mehrabian Chairman
Teledyne Technologies Inc has announced that its board of directors has elected Robert Mehrabian as chairman effective immediately.

Mehrabian is currently president and chief executive officer of Teledyne Technologies and he will retain those responsibilities.

The board also approved the promotions of Robyn E Choi and Melanie S Cibik as corporate vice presidents.

Choi, vice president of administration, will be responsible for corporate communications, information systems and Teledyne's procurement activities. Ms Choi reports to Mehrabian.

Ms Cibik, vice president and associate general counsel, manages the office of the Corporate Secretariat and is responsible for the Company's SEC disclosures and compliance activities and the administration of Teledyne's stock plans. Ms Cibik will lead Teledyne's legal team in merger and acquisition activities. Ms Cibik reports to John T Kuelbs, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated.

TRW Names David M. Cote to Succeed Joseph T. Gorman as Chief Executive Officer
TRW Inc has announced that its board of directors has elected David M Cote as president and chief executive officer, effective February 1, 200l. Cote is currently president and chief operating officer.

Joseph T. Gorman, chairman and chief executive officer, will remain chairman and a member of the board until July 31, 2001, when he will retire from the company and both positions. At that time, it is expected that Cote will assume the title of chairman and CEO. Gorman, a 32-year veteran of the company, has served as chairman and CEO for the past 12 years.

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