27 August 2000

Satcoms

Aeronautical Antenna Contracts for Datron Systems
Datron Systems Inc has been awarded two development contracts valued at more than US$ 1 million from Rockwell Collins and the Boeing Company.

Rockwell Collins through its joint venture with News Corporation called In Flight Network plans to provide live television, recorded video, audio, Internet and e-mail services throughout the world to airline passengers, both in flight and on the ground. The Boeing Company through "Connexion by Boeing" plans to provide passengers with Internet and corporate intranet access, e-commerce, live television and entertainment, transmission and receipt of data, shopping, travel and destination information - all in real time.

The contracts call for development work related to the design of lens antennas derived from Datron's patented Luneburg lens technology, which was initially developed for airborne direct broadcast satellite television and first flown on a commercial airliner in 1996. The current contracts call for engineering services and products ranging from feasibility analyses to delivery of limited quantities of flight test units. Completion of the latter requirement is dependent on additional funding from the customer.

The current contracts do not cover production quantities and there are presently no assurances such contracts will be awarded to Datron. However, these development contracts are precursors for Datron to be considered as a supplier for production quantities and thus to participate in a potentially significant opportunity.

AnySat Awards US$ 2.4 million Contract to Globecomm Systems
Globecomm Systems Inc has been awarded a US$ 2.4 million contract by AnySat Company Ltd, a Korea-based telecommunications startup, to provide a Ka band satellite earth station network in Seoul, South Korea.

Under the terms of the contract, Globecomm Systems will provide a Ka band earth station network consisting of one hub and fifteen remote terminals.

This is AnySat's first Ka band system, and will enable them to transmit streaming video and IP data via the Koreasat-3 satellite to customers throughout the region. Installation is expected to be completed by April 2001.

Once installed, this network will provide a one-way satellite link from the hub to the remote terminals. For the time being, a terrestrial network will provide the return link from the remote terminals to the hub. With this system in place, an upgrade to provide two-way satellite communication can be easily implemented in the future.

Costa Rican Operator Orders 1,000 Terminals For Truck Fleet From American Millennium Corporation
Costa Rica-based Satellite Communications Central America (SCCA) has placed an initial order for 1,000 VisTrac satellite-based systems for tracking and monitoring truck fleets in Costa Rica and Panama from American Millennium Corporation Inc.

This is the first of several orders expected from SCCA totalling 4,000 systems.

With the VisTrac system installed in a vehicle, using only a web browser, fleet management staff can see where the vehicle is located on a map and communicate directly with the vehicle's onboard data terminal.

CyberStar Selects IDC Receiver for Broadband Multimedia Data Services
CyberStar, a Loral company and a leading provider of satellite and broadband data services, has selected International Datacasting Corporation's SuperFlex satellite receiver technology for their new broadband multimedia data services infrastructure.

The selection was accompanied by orders to IDC valued at approximately Cdn$ 375k for an initial quantity of satellite data receivers, training and a network expansion in Europe. The initial rollout will be to launch new data services for Akamai Technologies and a number of other blue chip streaming media and enterprise customers.

After the initial rollout phase it is expected that the network will grow to several thousand sites over the next year.

IDC's award-winning SuperFlex is a digital satellite networking system designed to distribute Internet services, multimedia data and streaming media by satellite in point-to-multipoint applications. The system incorporates advanced technology using Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), Internet Protocol (IP), SNMP, IGMP and MPEG international standards. SuperFlex is currently used by such clients as British Telecom, NonStopNet, Kingston TLI, Telefonica, GTE, Hutchison, the Virtual University of ITESM and General Dynamics.

Europe*Star and Globecast Team for Indian IP Services
Satellite operator Europe*Star has signed a contract with GlobeCast to be on-board Europe*Star FM1, to deliver a new broadband IP platform from Europe to the Indian Subcontinent.

Europe*Star is a joint venture between Alcatel Spacecom and Loral Space & Communications. It will provide fixed satellite services to Europe, Southern Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and South East Asia.

The agreement with GlobeCast is for one transponder, with an additional 36 MHz capacity.

Europe*Star FM1 is a high-powered geostationary satellite due to be launched next month, the first of a two satellite co-located system. It will be equipped with 30 Ku band transponders.

Globalstar Extends South American Coverage
Globalstar do Brasil, Globalstar's exclusive service provider in Brazil, has inaugurated the second of three gateways planned for that country, bringing the total number of commercially operational gateways throughout the world to 20.

Located in Petrolina, Brazil, the newest gateway will provide Globalstar service to the northeastern region of the country, much of which has had little or no access to any telecommunications services.

Later this year, a third Brazilian gateway, located in Manaus, will be brought into service, completing coverage of the South American continent.

In addition, TE.SA.M. (Télécommunications par Satellites Mobiles), Globalstar's service provider in all South American countries outside of Brazil, formally introduced commercial service in Chile, making Globalstar service now available throughout nearly 90% of North and South America. TE.SA.M. Chile will deliver Globalstar service through its gateway in Bosque Alegre, Argentina.

More Orders for Radyne ComStream
Radyne ComStream has announced the receipt of several orders from strategic customers, the total of which is well in excess of US$ 1 million.

The company received several contracts from Indian companies for Radyne ComStream's family of satellite modems, redundancy switches and frequency converters used for telephone and Internet services. These follow-on and new orders continue to demonstrate Radyne ComStream's dominance and emphasise the company's position as the supplier of choice for satellite communications hardware in the Indian market. Over the past year, Radyne ComStream has delivered more than US$ 7 million in equipment to Indian companies.

Comsat-Venezuela has chosen Radyne ComStream for a voice and data network to fulfil Comsat-Venezuela's contract with CANTV, the Venezuelan carrier. Radyne ComStream will initially supply 30 Ku band earth stations, with an additional 90 earth stations to be delivered over the next 12 months. Radyne ComStream was chosen for their field proven equipment reliability and very short delivery time. This is phase I of a 300 node multi-year contract which will run through 2003.

The company also announced the receipt of a contract for high speed Digital Video Transmission equipment, to be used in the expansion of an existing direct-to-home network for Hughes Network Systems.

Multicast ISP and InterPacket Team for Global Multicast Content Distribution
Multicast ISP Inc, the leading provider of multicast streaming media, and InterPacket Networks Inc, a global leader in Internet via satellite, have announced an alliance to deliver multicast streaming media to InterPacket's more than six hundred ISPs and enterprise customers, representing a potential audience of millions of broadband subscribers.

The alliance provides Multicast ISP with global distribution for its streaming content channels and delivers premium streaming content to InterPacket's global customer base.

Both companies use a satellite-based infrastructure to deliver Internet access and services on a global basis. InterPacket uses twelve satellites around the globe to provide IP access and faster speed to their ISPs and corporate customers while Multicast ISP combines multicasting and encryption technologies with state of the art delivery to provide broadcast quality streaming media. Together, they will boast a global audience for streaming media that will attract the attention of major content providers.

Multicast ISP Inc, headquartered in Wappingers Falls, New York, is a pioneering provider of Internet-based, real-time multicast content distribution. Multicast ISP provides a secure, conditionally accessible streaming network for high quality Internet broadcasting. By using satellite distribution, Multicast ISP bypasses the slow and congested terrestrial Internet to directly, efficiently, and economically broadcast streaming video, audio, and data to the "edge" of the Internet.

InterPacket uses its expertise at integrating satellite technologies to benefit ISP's, businesses and content distributors in more than 100 countries around the world. InterPacket provides its customers with high-speed Internet backbone connectivity and a wide range of value-added applications.

New Brazilian Satellite for Loral Fleet
Loral Space & Communications is to expand its satellite fleet with the addition of the Estrela do Sul satellite, currently under construction by Space Systems/Loral.

Loral Skynet do Brasil will offer its customers coverage throughout Latin America with connectivity into North America from its orbital slot at 63° W. The high-powered 1300 satellite will carry 36 Ku band transponders, with two spot beams, providing a dedicated Ku band solution for the Brazilian market.

Estrela do Sul is expected to be launched in mid-2002. In order to commence service to Brazil and surrounding areas, Loral Skynet do Brasil has acquired the Anik-C1 satellite from Telesat Canada. This satellite, which has been renamed Brasil 1, has been moved from 106.8° W to 63° W, where it will provide service until the launch of Estrela do Sul.

Brasil 1 is an HS 376 that was launched in 1985 and currently has 8 Ku band transponders available for service. In its new location, the satellite will provide coverage of the middle region of Brazil including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia. The satellite will be used for a variety of full-time and part-time applications, including satellite newsgathering and backup for terrestrial fibre applications.

In March of 1999, Loral Skynet do Brasil was selected as the winner of an auction to acquire a Brazilian orbital satellite slot, giving the company the right to use Brazil's 63° W slot, from which it will offer Ku band satellite services to customers within Brazil and throughout most of the Western hemisphere. In addition to these services, Loral Skynet do Brasil will also be able to offer coverage in other parts of the world through the member companies of the Loral Global Alliance.

Regulatory Approval For Quake Wireless Heavy Equipment Tracking Communicator
Quake Wireless Inc, an authorised manufacturer of subscriber communicators for the Orbcomm satellite network, has received regulatory type approval from Orbcomm Global LP, under licensing issued by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), for its QHE-2500(TM) heavy equipment tracking and monitoring communicator.

Type approval, which certifies subscriber communicators for resale and distribution throughout the US, requires extensive testing and evaluation processes to verify all components meet performance and operation standards required for reliable communications with the Orbcomm satellite network.

Quake's subscriber communicators, designed specifically for operations in harsh environments and industrial applications, are used for tracking, monitoring and communicating with remote high-value mobile and fixed assets. Coupled with the reliable, ubiquitous message performance of the Orbcomm satellite system and Quake's DataTrak software, the QHE-2500 enables Quake to simplify fleet management by delivering timely information about assets located around the world directly to users' desktops via the Web. In addition to tracking with GPS precision, the communicators provide users with two-way data communications, application-specific interfaces, an on-board computer that can support a wide range of customised applications and sophisticated VHF communications electronics.

Station 12 Orders STM's DAMA VSAT Network
Station 12 has placed an order to upgrade its STM supplied DAMA VSAT network using the latest MC-SES technology.

Station 12, which has one of the largest satellite service operations in Europe, has been using STM's DAMA VSAT system as part of a field deployable voice and data communications network.

STM's DAMA system provides bandwidth-on-demand voice and data capabilities, along with access to a broadband overlay for IP based video streaming and other applications. The system offers full mesh connectivity for telephony, data and video on-demand applications. The product family includes a line of VSAT products designed for seamless connectivity using single line and multi-line terminals, as well as an integrated VSAT-WLL system offering thin route wireless subscriber services. All VSAT terminals are interoperable in a fully interconnected, single-hop satellite network with low delay and high voice and data quality. The Subscriber Earth Station, and its companion multi-channel VSAT, along with the integrated wireless local loop system (SpaceLoop), which are all part of STM's DAMA product family, are available in both C band and Ku band and can be supplemented with DVB based overlay for broadband IP applications.

Earth Observation

Teal Forecasts 43 New Commercial Imaging Satellites in Next 10 Years
Teal Group Corporation has completed its first Commercial Imaging Satellite Forecast for 2001-2010, estimating that 43 commercial imaging satellites will be built and launched worldwide during the period.

Teal analysts believe commercial imaging satellites will account for only about 3% of all satellites in the next 10 years, in terms of units. At an estimated value of US$ 3.62 billion, these satellites will also make up only about 3% of the total value of all satellites.

While there have been an average of 1.8 commercial imaging satellites launched annually during the past 10 years, Teal analysts believe this average should jump to 4.3 per year in the coming decade.

Prior to 1995, report Teal analysts, if you wanted to purchase Earth imagery, you had to rely on either the IRS, Landsat, or SPOT systems. On April 3, 1995, Orbimage entered the market with its 68-kg OrbView 1 satellite, based on Orbital Sciences Corp's MicroLab-1 bus.

Orbimage followed up on August 1, 1997 with its 146 kg OrbView 2 satellites, based on Orbital's Pegastar bus. On November 4, 1995, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) launched its 2,749 kg Radarsat 1 satellite, based on Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp's BCP 4000 bus.

On September 24, 1999, Space Imaging became the sixth important player in the market, with the successful launch of its 720 kg Ikonos 1B satellite, based on Lockheed Martin Missile & Space Co's LM-900 bus. It also became the first private company with the capability to provide spy-quality resolution of 1-meter-across panchromatic (black and white) and 4-meters-across multispectral (colour). The best quality available up until Ikonos 1B was 5.8m by the IRS-1C satellite.

More recent entrants include the governments of Brazil and China, with the October 14, 1999 launch of their joint Ziyuan 1 satellite. On June 28, 2000, China's Tsinghua University, in co-operation with prime contractor Surrey Satellite Technology, deployed the Tsinghua-1 satellite, based on Surrey's MicroBus-70 bus.

Teal analysts note that the resolution capabilities of commercial imaging satellites have consistently improved to the point where the US military is increasingly looking to purchase imagery from commercial ventures such as Orbimage and Space Imaging, as well as from EarthWatch, Inc., which will soon launch a QuickBird 1 satellite as capable as the Ikonos 1B.

A parallel trend is that commercial imaging satellites are also becoming much smaller in size, reducing overall program costs. Now, report Teal analysts, it's possible to build a top-of-the-line imaging satellite and launch it aboard a small rocket like Lockheed Martin Corp's Athena 2 or Orbital Sciences' Pegasus XL for under US$ 150 million.

Navigation

Projected Automatic Vehicle Location Revenues to Double by 2004
Annual Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) revenues for commercial vehicle fleets are projected to grow from US$ 500 million in 1999 to US$ 1 billion by year-end 2004, according to a recent study from The Strategis Group.

Growing adoption rates among private fleets will allow the Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) industry to continue its steady growth. In past years, it has been the for-hire trucking industry that has pushed the commercial AVL market through its infant stages.

AVL services generally entail an in-vehicle terminal equipped with a GPS receiver that can determine the position of the vehicle, and a wireless transceiver that can transmit the vehicle's location and other status updates to the dispatcher. The dispatcher uses a computer to monitor the vehicle's position, and to transmit assignments to the driver. Drivers receive the messages on a terminal in the vehicle that allows them to respond to the dispatcher. AVL service providers include Qualcomm, Motient, @Track, Trimble, Teletrac and @Road.

Science

Avtec Systems to Supply University of California Berkley Ground Station
Avtec Systems Inc has been awarded a contract to supply its high-speed front-end telemetry processing systems to the University of California at Berkley for the High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (HESSI) spacecraft, the next mission in NASA Goddard's Small Explorer series of space missions.

HESSI will obtain high-resolution images and spectra of the Sun at X-ray and gamma ray wavelengths to investigate the physics of particle acceleration and energy release in solar flares.

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 telemetry and command 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.

Manned Space

Mir's Space Tourist Starts Training
MirCorp's first Citizen Explorer, businessmen Dennis Tito, has entered training at Russia's Star City for his commercial flight to the Mir space station next year.

Tito received his medical certificate from the panel of doctors that approve cosmonauts for space flight. This cleared the way for the start offormal training at the Star City cosmonaut facility located outside of Moscow.

MirCorp president Jeffrey Manber said Tito has signed the formal contract for his Citizen Explorer flight, and has placed a down payment of several million dollars with MirCorp for the mission. The remaining amount will come in regular payments between now and Tito's mission. MirCorp's Citizen Explorer flights to Mir cost approximately US$ 20 million, and will last approximately 7-10 days.

Tito is a former US space program engineer who founded Wilshire Associates - the Santa Monica, California-based company that revolutionised the field of investment management consulting. For his Citizen Explorer mission, Tito will be accompanied by two Russian cosmonauts, and will fly to and from Mir on a Soyuz transport spacecraft launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

In a first for Russia's space program, Tito will follow a staggered training program that enables him to spend approximately two weeks at Star City followed by two weeks in California to run his business. As the flight date approaches, Tito will remain in Russia for the final training and mission preparations.

The Citizen Explorer program is part of MirCorp's broad based business plan that foresees a wide commercial demand for the Mir station, ranging from such traditional uses as materials processing and Earth imaging to non-traditional applications including advertising and an Internet space portal. In addition to the Citizen Explorer program, MirCorp recently reached an agreement with Mark Burnett, executive producer of the internationally known Survivor television series, for the creation and marketing of a TV program in which the winner will travel to Mir.

Launch Services

NASA Awards Studies For Emerging Launch Systems
NASA has awarded four small businesses 90-day contracts totalling US$ 902,000 to develop concepts and requirements to provide access to the International Space Station on emerging launch systems.

These studies could uncover a potential backup capability, augmenting the station's primary resupply vehicles - the US Space Shuttle, Russian Progress, European Space Agency Automated Transfer Vehicle and the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicles.

The companies selected are:

• Andrews Space and Technology of El Segundo, California (US$ 195,000)
• Microcosm Inc of El Segundo, California (US$ 198,000)
• HMX Ltd of Reno, Nevada (US$ 245,000)
• Kistler Aerospace Corp of Kirkland, Washington (US$ 264,000)

The contingency resupply service under study would seek to be capable of launching within a week if necessary and could enhance the Space Station's operational flexibility if primary delivery methods were unavailable. Established launch services companies are studying the same idea under existing contracts managed by NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The study contracts, set aside for small business, are managed by Marshall under the Alternate Access Project of the Space Launch Initiative.

Launches

Delta III DM-F3

Launched: 23 August 2000
Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launcher: Delta 3
Orbit: apogee: 20,171 km, perigee: 152 km: inclination: 27.9°
International Number: 2000-048A
Name: DM-F3

This launch was intended to put a representative dummy payload (DM-F3) into orbit to demonstrate the capabilities of the Boeing's Delta 3 launch vehicle which has been dogged by failures and lack of customer confidence. DM-F3 was designed to match the mass and frequency characteristics of common commercial communication payloads sized for Delta 3.

The target orbit was reported to be 25,778 x 183 km however the achieved orbit appeared to fall far short of this at 20,171 x 152 km.

This was the third launch of a Delta 3. The first Delta 3 blew up just over a minute into its maiden flight in August 1998. The second one left the Orion 3 satellite in a useless orbit when an engine failed in May 1999.

Instruments aboard the 4,463 kg dummy satellite provided information to validate Boeing baseline data on launch vehicle performance. Boeing modified the payload to assist US Air Force engineers in the calibration and testing of electro-optical space imaging systems. Reflective surfaces on the simulated satellite also provide laser cross-section targets at both visible and infrared wavelengths. In addition, the DM-F3 payload will be used by the Air Force to verify its thermal standards and models for satellites. Verification of models used to predict payload dynamics will be accomplished by viewing the spin rate of the payload. In addition, the University of Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research plans to analyse data to determine the effect of the orbital environment on the payload.

Business

Datron Systems Rejects Acquisition Proposal From Radyne Comstream
Datron Systems Inc has received an "expression of interest" from Radyne ComStream Inc which it has rejected.

Radyne has expressed interest in acquiring all the outstanding stock in Datron for US$ 17.00 per share, payable in cash or an undefined combination of cash and stock. The Datron's Board has determined that in its view the transaction as proposed by Radyne is highly contingent and inadequate and has rejected Radyne's proposal.

Iridium's Final Days?
Over the last few days Iridium has begun closing down the limited range of services still being carried by the satellite constellation in preparation for the de-orbiting of its multi billion dollar system of satellites.

Up to August 24, Iridium was operating a limited service, mainly within the USA. This has now been terminated and the only service available now is between Iridium handsets.

Final attempts to find a buyer for the US$ 5 billion LEO phone system have failed after bidder Castle Harlan withdrew its US$ 50 million offer last month after deciding that even at that throw away price it could not see how it could make the operation of the system economically viable.

Iridium currently has 88 satellites in orbit of which 11 are known to have failed. It is also suspected that a further ten or so have also failed or have serious problems. Motorola, which is currently acting as caretaker for the constellation of satellites is expected to begin bringing the satellites still under control out of orbit over the next few months if not weeks. Delays are not expected since operating the satellites is reported to be costing Motorola up to US$ 10 million per month. The satellites will be destroyed as they enter the Earth's atmosphere.

A bankruptcy hearing scheduled for 23 August to discuss further take-over proposals was cancelled because no qualified buyer had come forward.

Norsat Teams With Fujitsu For Broadband Systems
Norsat International Inc has announced the signing of a strategic manufacturing and marketing Memorandum of Understanding with Fujitsu General Limited.

Under the MOU, Fujitsu General will undertake the manufacturing of components based on Norsat's technology and engineering designs. The components will be integrated into satellite interactive terminals (SITs) for two-way satellite broadband networks. Norsat will market the Fujitsu General-produced components globally as part of its broadband network solutions. Fujitsu General will market in Japan under a separate arrangement.

Orbcomm Defaults on Payment
Little LEO operator Orbcomm Global LP has missed an interest payment on US$ 170 million in bonds. The bonds go into default after a 30 day period of grace.

In response to its financial woes, Orbcomm has hired Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities to advise it on recapitalisation.

Unlike LEO phone systems Iridium and Globalstar, Orbcomm's financial problems are not the result of its sales being much lower than expectations. In January Orbcomm's shareholders Teleglobe Canada and Orbital Sciences restructured their ownership of the company. As a result of the restructuring, Teleglobe was left with a 60% shareholding and the responsibility for investment. Teleglobe has its own financial problems and has stopped providing financial support to Orbcomm as it builds its business, leaving Orbcomm with a very serious cash flow shortfall.

Scientific-Atlanta Appoints Distributor for South and Central Americas
With more than 50% of South America's digital video signals being delivered by Scientific-Atlanta's PowerVu products, the Atlanta-based company has selected TVC Latin America as its distributor for digital receiver/decoders (IRDs) across South and Central America and parts of the Caribbean.

In June 1999, TVC Latin America contracted to distribute Scientific-Atlanta's broadband products in the region, including RF electronics, optoelectronics products, cable headend equipment, and taps and passives. Current plans call for TVC to market the PowerVu headend receiver, commercial receiver, and the business satellite receiver, all of which are compatible with the PowerVu Plus systems. TVC will make the digital receivers available in nearly every country in South and Central America and parts of the Caribbean region including Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bahamas, Costa Rica, Curacao, Greater Antilles Islands, Lesser Antilles Islands, Trinidad and Tobago.

Products and Services

Dual Band Antenna From MTN
Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN) has announced the launch of a marine stabilised dual frequency satellite communications system. This system is capable of continuously and simultaneously transmitting and receiving at both C and Ku band frequencies.

The high-performance communications system in a dual configuration can track two satellites with one antenna each simultaneously. The dual configuration allows diverse antenna placement to eliminate satellite blockage.

The C, Ku band antenna system has the following features:

• Multi-band operation
• Remote feed change-out from below deck
• Compact design integrating all bands together
• Consecutive circular and linear polarisation
• Fibre optic interface
• Beacon tracking receiver
• Environmentally protected within radome

People

Space Foundation Hires Jim Jannette, Adds Directors
The Space Foundation has hired Jim Jannette as Director of Marketing and has added ex astronaut Guion Blutford Jr and Lou Dobbs to its Board of Directors.

The Space Foundation has named Jim Jannette as Director of Marketing. Jannette is a public relations and marketing veteran with more than 30 years experience in the aerospace industry.

In his new position Jannette is responsible for all Foundation marketing activities, including promotion of the National Space Symposium, International Space Symposium, Space Discovery graduate courses, Teaching With Space in-services, and education conferences.

Dr Guion S Bluford Jr., vice president and general manager for Federal Data Corporation (FDC) and program manager of the NASA Glenn Research Center's Microgravity Research, Development and Operations Contract and Lou Dobbs, chairman and CEO of SPACE.com have been elected to three year terms on the Space Foundation's Board of Directors.

Space Imaging Expands Sales and Marketing Teams
Space Imaging has announced the addition of three directors to North American sales and marketing and two directors to international sales and marketing.

Jeffrey R. Probst has been appointed director of North American marketing, located at Space Imaging's headquarters (Thornton, Colorado). Probst is responsible for creating and maintaining the visibility of the company with a focus on marketing communications, product development, marketing research and proposal development.

Gary G. Adkins has been appointed director of federal sales for North America. Adkins is responsible for developing US government markets.

Howard J. Klayman has been appointed director of Space Imaging's customer service centre (Lanham, Maryland). Klayman has an extensive background in technical support, customer care and technical operations and is responsible for managing and implementing the operation and architecture of Space Imaging's customer service centre.

For the expansion of Space Imaging's international team, Todd F. Anderson has been appointed director of international sales and marketing, located at Space Imaging's headquarters in Thornton, Colorado. Anderson is responsible for managing and directing major international programs and developing long-term strategic marketing initiatives in support of international regional affiliates.

Charles F. Visser has been appointed director of international operations, located at Space Imaging's headquarters (Thornton, Colorado). Visser is responsible for defining and overseeing all technical marketing operations and global programs to ensure customer and regional affiliate satisfaction.

Space Imaging is a leading supplier of visual information products derived from space imagery and aerial photography.

Tachyon Appoints Chief Marketing Officer
Tachyon Inc, provider of fast, two way Internet access via satellite, has appointed Rick Adams as its Chief Marketing Officer.

Adams will be responsible for all of Tachyon's marketing activities, from product development and management to establishing the company's brand worldwide.

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