29 October 2000

Satcoms

CONUS Connects Classrooms Across USA
Recently, more than 30,000 fourth through eighth grade students from across the United States took a field trip to study Lake Superior - without leaving their classrooms.

Conus Communications, a leading provider of Video Production and Satellite Services, orchestrated the field trip for the University of Minnesota's Bell Museum of Natural History. The electronic field trip, Great Lakes: A Superior Adventure, was the sixth BellLIVE! production executed by Conus.

In three separate one-hour live-via-satellite interactive broadcasts, nine students, Great Lakes aquatic experts and program hosts successfully engaged and educated the 30,000 participants amid the many exhibits at the newly opened Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, Minnesota. Conus, teaming with BellLIVE! staff, managed the program's complex logistics that included a crew of 70, film-style lighting and both indoor and outdoor locations. Conus linked 6 cameras, a microscope feed and two computer scan converters to a fully equipped production truck and Ku-band mobile uplink. The program was simultaneously transmitted on C-band.

Globalstar USA Signs Agreement With US General Services Administration
Globalstar USA, the exclusive provider of Globalstar's satellite-based mobile communications in the US, has announced the signing of a Basic Ordering Agreement with the United States General Services Administration (GSA).

The agreement facilitates the purchase of Globalstar USA products and services by federal and federally funded agencies by eliminating layers of competitive bidding and requests for proposals from multiple providers. These agencies will be able to purchase Globalstar services at corporate account pricing with only five satellite phone lines, as opposed to the usual 25 lines per account, based on the buying power of their shared volume. These agencies can take advantage of special Globalstar USA's promotional offers. Agencies purchasing Globalstar equipment and services under this agreement will also have the activation fee waived.

Ji Tong Orders Norsat DVB Data Hub
Norsat International Inc has received an order from Ji Tong Network Communications Co Ltd, one of China's five national carriers, for a SpectraWorks Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) Data Hub for application in China's Golden Bridge project.

Golden Bridge will be a public information network linking government departments, over 500 major cities, and a number of research institutes and enterprises. The SpectraWorks Data Hub will be used to provide fast Internet, Voice over Internet Protocol (IP), video-on-demand (VOD), multicasting, videoconferencing and file transfer using DVB protocols. Delivery is scheduled for December 2000.

Ji Tong Network Communications Co Ltd is headquartered in Beijing, China and is a leader in the development of Voice over IP and other telecommunications services including VSAT, Internet and Intranets, and systems integration. Ji Tong leases transponder space from Chinasat, AsiaSat and other satellite operators in the region.

Norsat Ships Ka Band Terminal Prototypes
Norsat International Inc has completed the shipment to Korea of 12 Ka band terminal prototypes for field testing on Korea Telecom's satellite broadband network.

The applications to be tested included two-way Internet and distance learning. Volume deliveries are expected to begin later in the year.

SkyOnline Selects IDC's SuperFlex for DVB Broadcasting
SkyOnline Inc has selected IDC's SuperFlex system to form the DVB satellite datacasting infrastructure portion of their new hybrid satellite/wireless local loop distribution network.

The selection, which comes after extensive testing, will see IDC providing uplink equipment initially to SkyOnline's California teleport facilities, which later will be moved to SkyOnline's new headquarters near Washington DC, and an initial roll-out of receive equipment to hundreds of urban and rural locations across Mexico, Venezuela, Guatemala and Argentina. The network will be used to deliver high-speed multimedia content and telecommunications services.

SuperFlex is an award-winning 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.

STM Wireless Awarded CDMA Patent
STM Wireless's patent application for a special form of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), called Cyclic Code Phase Multiple Access (CPMA) has been awarded under US patent US6108317.

The patented technology provides all the benefits of classic CDMA, while significantly reducing the cost of the network infrastructure, particularly for applications involving a large number of simultaneous users as encountered in broadband satellite networks. Designed for a low to moderate throughput in the upstream channel, the technology is applicable to Ka band SOHO and consumer VSAT applications and is complementary to STM's current line of TDMA VSATs.

Conventional CDMA techniques, when applied to VSAT networks, use a unique code for each VSAT transmission, requiring an independent receiver for each code. For large networks, this can result in a very large and expensive hub. STM's CPMA enables simultaneous demodulation of transmission by a large group of VSATs using a common receiver, thereby greatly reducing the size and cost of the hub. This is done by using a cyclic manipulation of a common base code to create the CDMA code set. By constructing a double-cyclic code set, full channel loading is achieved with the bandwidth efficiency of QPSK.

The CPMA technique developed by STM is part of its ongoing research and development to innovate new technologies which may be used in DVB based two-way broadband satellite networks using the Ka band spectrum with very small antennas. While the patented technology has been developed for use in bent-pipe satellites, it can also be used in on-board processing systems in order to reduce the size and complexity of onboard receivers. The CPMA technology results in efficient use of available spectrum, in addition to allowing a significant reduction in the size and cost of the VSAT transmitter and associated hub equipment.

STM plans to explore the application of CPMA in the design of low cost VSAT and hub equipment for future Ka Band networks.

Stratos Extends British Airways Skyphone Contract
Following a competitive tendering exercise, British Airways has agreed to extend and expand its contract with BT Aeronautical for the provision of its Skyphone satellite communications for passenger and operations use for the next three years.

British Airways (BA) is currently refitting its fleet of long-haul aircraft with upgraded satellite communications systems, and BT's Skyphone service will eventually be available in First, Club World and where applicable, in Business Economy. Bulkhead phones will also be available for all passengers.

The Skyphone service provides BA passengers with global voice telephony and round-the-clock free access to customer service agents on the ground. It provides BA with state of the art web-based usage and operational data on a real time basis. Substantial promotional activity is planned to make passengers aware of the benefits of the Skyphone service. Operational communications services are offered via a teaming agreement between BT and avionics supplier ARINC, announced twelve months ago.

By choosing to remain with Skyphone, British Airways is now able to offer the latest Skyphone Mobile Connect service to its passengers. This service allows the passenger to "virtually roam" onto the aircraft with their mobile phone, effectively turning the onboard seat phone into a clone of their mobile phone. This allows them to make outgoing calls from the seat phone with calls billed to their mobile phone number and to have calls made to their normal mobile phone number routed automatically to their seat phone. The Mobile Connect service can be turned on or off during the flight as the passenger desires. It is anticipated that this new service, which allows passengers to stay in contact throughout the flight, will substantially increase use of onboard telephones.

Earth Observation

India Approves Cartosat 2
The Indian Space Research Organisation's plans to build an advanced remote sensing satellite, Cartosat 2, with an optical resolution of 1 meter have been approved by the Indian government.

Cartosat 2 will be placed in orbit by India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in 2003 or 2004. Cartosat 2 will cost 2.3 billion rupees (about US$ 50 million).

Science

NASA Plans Six Mars Missions
NASA has announced a series of orbiters, landers, rovers and sample return missions which will explore Mars over the next decade and a half.

Six major missions are planned as part of a long-term Mars exploration program which has been developed over the past six months. The new program incorporates the lessons learned from previous mission successes and failures, and builds on scientific discoveries from past missions. The NASA-led effort to will include international participation from Italy and France. The next step will be an 18-month programmatic systems engineering study to refine the costs and technology needs.

NASA was forced to rethink its approach to Mars last year after the highly embarrassing failures of its Mars Climate Orbiter and Mars Polar Lander spacecraft.

In addition to the previously announced 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter mission to map Mars and the twin Mars Exploration Rovers in 2003 which would look for signs of water, NASA plans to launch a powerful scientific orbiter in 2005. This mission, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, will focus on analysing the surface at a 20 to 30 cm resolution in an effort to follow the tantalising hints of water from the Mars Global Surveyor images and to bridge the gap between surface observations and measurements from orbit.

NASA proposes to develop and to launch a long-range, long-duration mobile science laboratory that will be a major leap in surface measurements and pave the way for a future sample return mission. NASA is studying options to launch this mobile science laboratory mission as early as 2007. This capability will also demonstrate the technology for accurate landing and hazard avoidance in order to reach what may be very promising but difficult-to-reach scientific sites.

NASA also proposes to create a new line of small "Scout" missions which would be selected from proposals from the science community, and might involve airborne vehicles or small landers, as an investigation platform. Exciting new vistas could be opened up by this approach either through the airborne scale of observation or by increasing the number of sites visited. The first Scout mission launch is planned for 2007.

In the second decade, NASA plans additional science orbiters, rovers and landers, and the first mission to return the most promising Martian samples to Earth. Current plans call for the first sample return mission to be launched in 2014 and a second in 2016. Options which would significantly increase the rate of mission launch and/or accelerate the schedule of exploration are under study, including launching the first sample return mission as early as 2011. Technology development for advanced capabilities such as miniaturised surface science instruments and deep drilling to several hundred feet will also be carried out in this period.

Manned Space

Deorbiting Mir
Russia has prepared plans for deorbiting the Mir space station in late February 2001 . . . unless more money can be found.

The plan calls for Mir's orbit to be lowered to an altitude of about 80 km so that the station (or most of it) burns up in the Earth's atmosphere in February next year.

Four options for removing the space station from orbit were examined:

• breaking the space station into several pieces and deorbiting each individually - rejected as unsafe because the larger the number of parts the larger the risk of some of them coming down in the wrong place;
• using a missile to blow the station up - rejected because this would result in too much debris;
• leaving Mir in place so that it would decay naturally in several years - rejected because of the ongoing cost of monitoring and supporting the station;
• controlled deorbiting using two Progress cargo ships into the Pacific Ocean.

Russian officials report that they have about a month to decide whether to follow the deorbiting plan, however there have also been reports that the Russian government has deferred any decision on Mir until early next year. As with many aspects of this ongoing saga, confusion and half truths are the order of the day, with very few hard facts being available.

The Russian government may consider extending the life of Mir if MirCorp, which leases Mir, can find additional funds, however, although lucrative contracts are "just around the corner" for MirCorp, few customers appear to be prepared to sign on the dotted line. MirCorp is planning a US$ 117 million IPO next year, but the cash injection from this may arrive too late to save Mir.

In the meantime, the Foundation for the Non-governmental Development of Space (F.I.N.D.S.) has reached agreement with MirCorp to fly a 7 km electro-dynamic tether, called FireFly, aboard the Mir space station in 2001. This will provide a continuous low level of thrust which will be able to counter atmospheric drag and keep the station in orbit without the need for costly refuelling flights.

Launch Services

Beal Closes Rocket Business
Beal Aerospace Technologies Inc, a privately financed start-up that was building a commercial launcher without US government support, has closed down its operation.

The main reason cited by Beal for pulling out of the business was its inability to compete with launch vehicle manufacturers which have their development costs subsidised by NASA. Last week Congress approved an initial US$ 290 for the funding of development for up to two man rated launch systems within five years. Although man rated, these launchers would also compete head on with Beal's BA-2C rocket.

France and Italy Agree on Vega Launcher
The Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) have signed a major agreement to co-operate on the development of launchers.

France and Italy will participate in the demonstration program for the European Space Agency's P80 solid propellant engine P80. The first test has been scheduled for 2003.

This project, valued at 128 million Euros, will test new boosters for the future Ariane 5 rockets and will be used by Italy for the first stage of the VEGA launcher. This small launcher will help put satellites weighing 1 to 2 metric tons into LEO. Italy will also participate in the Ariane 5 Plus and ARTA 5 program, as well as in the FLTP research program on reusable launch vehicles.

Launches

GE-6

Launched: 21 October 2000
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Proton K/Block DM
Orbit: GEO, 72° W
International Number: 2000-067A
Name: GE-6
Owner: GE Americom
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems

GE-6 is a commercial communications satellite carrying 28 Ku band and 24 C band transponders. It will provide direct-to-home (DTH), media and entertainment distribution plus enterprise and Internet protocol (IP) solutions in North America. It has a 15 year design life.

Europe*Star 1

Launched: 29 October 2000
Site: CSG Kourou, French Guiana
Launcher: Ariane 4
Orbit: GEO 45° E
International Number: 2000-068A
Name: Europe*Star 1
Owner: Europe*Star Ltd
Contractor: Alcatel Space Industries

Europe*Star 1 is a commercial communications satellite which carries 30 Ku band transponders. The satellite, with a launch mass of 4150 kg is based on the Loral FS1300 platform.

Business

CCC GlobalCom to Acquire Telecom Network Systems International
CCC GlobalCom Corporation has entered into a Definitive Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% of the Preferred and Common stock of Telecom Network Systems International Inc (TNS).

The assets acquired include telecommunication switches, earth stations, debit card platforms, marketing materials and a performing revenue base of over 6,000 users. Certain TNS management will remain in place under Employment Agreements to provide management continuity and operational efficiency.

TNS offers a variety of prepaid telecommunication services such as: prepaid calling cards, long distance, Internet and voice mail. In addition, post-paid products include: long distance, Internet, and Web hosting services. TNS services a broad base of users with special emphasis on certain ethnic groups such as: Latin Americans specifically from Venezuela, Colombia and Mexico; and central and eastern European markets specifically in Poland, Latvia and Russia. The Company also serves a domestic United States users base concentrated in the state of Florida.

Channel Master Open Asia Office
Satellite antenna systems manufacturer Channel Master has opened an international operations centre in Hong Kong, China.

Located in the China Resources Building, Suite 4410, 26 Harbour Road in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, Channel Master Asia Limited will be responsible for the procurement of Channel Master products, and also provide management supervision and technical assistance to the company's manufacturing facilities and sub-contractors throughout Asia. Additionally, this office will provide customer service and sales support.

Ronnie Cheong, has been appointed Managing Director of Channel Master's Asian operations.

Products and Services

BT's New Middle East Broadcast Services
BT Broadcast Services is offering a range of digital TV and Internet services across the Middle East on the newly launched Nilesat 102 at 7° W..

BT has installed a new 9 m antenna to accessNileSat 102 at its Martlesham Teleport to enables broadcasters to deliver direct-to-home (DTH) TV and fast Internet services to the Middle East from the UK. A return path from the Middle East is also available.

People

New Senior VPs at PanAmSat
PanAmSat has announced the promotion of Bruce A Haymes and James B Frownfelter to the positions of senior vice president.

Mr Haymes now reports directly to R Douglas Kahn, PanAmSat's president and chief executive officer, and Mr Frownfelter reports directly to Robert Bednarek, PanAmSat's executive vice president and chief technology officer.

Mr Haymes has been promoted to the newly created position of senior vice president, business development from vice president and associate general counsel. Mr Frownfelter, formerly vice president, space systems, has been promoted to senior vice president, space systems.

As senior vice president, business development, Mr Haymes is responsible for overseeing the company's merger and acquisition strategy, execution and integration as well as minority investment activity. Mr Haymes' mandate is to preserve and improve PanAmSat's position in the fixed-satellite service business while expanding the company's position in the delivery of new media services, including PanAmSat's NET-36 IP Broadcast Network. Mr Haymes joins the company's senior executive management team.

In his new role as senior vice president, space systems, Mr Frownfelter is responsible for the development of sales and marketing plans for each new and existing spacecraft that identify target markets and customers as well as the resources necessary to support sales in these markets. He also oversees the acquisition of additional orbital slots for development and the deployment of significant ground infrastructure to support PanAmSat's satellite network. In addition, Mr Frownfelter also serves as the new chairman of PanAmSat's Satellite Strategy Team.

Mr. Frownfelter will continue to manage the design, acquisition and construction of new spacecraft and launch vehicles as well as the company's Spectrum Management group, which is responsible for all co-ordination with other satellite operators to ensure proper performance of the satellite systems in orbit.

Web spacenewsfeed.co.uk