2 July 2000

Satcoms

AsiaSat Granted Approval for Hong Kong BSS Channels
Asia Satellite Telecommunications company Limited (AsiaSat) has been granted a licence by the Chief Executive in Council of the Hong Kong SAR [Special Administrative Region] Government to maintain and operate a payload of four Broadcasting Satellite Service (BSS) channels onboard AsiaSat 4.

AsiaSat 4, which is due for launch at the beginning of 2002, will carry the four BSS channels assigned to Hong Kong in the ITU's 1997 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC 97) as well as a Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) payload.

EMS Orders Norsat ODUs for Astra Service
Norsat International Inc has received an initial order for 10,000 hybrid Ka/Ku band Outdoor Units (ODUs) from EMS Technologies Canada Ltd, a subsidiary of EMS Technologies Inc..

The ODUs will be integrated with EMS indoor units (IDUs) into open-standard Satellite Interactive Terminals (SITs) on the SES Astra BBI (Broadband Interactive) service, further to an order recently announced by EMS from Kokua Communications, Inc. The Norsat ODUs are scheduled for delivery over approximately a two-year period, with initial shipments expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2000, and increased volumes beginning in 2001.

The EMS order and follows on from another recently announced order from LGIC (KoreaSAT) for broadband ODUs.

The Norsat ODU consists of a Ka band transmitter and Ku band receiver, as well as the dish antenna, and has been engineered to international open standards specifications.

Euteltracs Moves to Seasat
Euteltracs, the Alcatel/Qualcomm/Eutelsat satellite-based fleet management system, has extended its geographical coverage by transferring its messaging service to Eutelsat's recently launched Sesat satellite. Sesat coverage includes Europe, western Siberia, north Africa and the Middle East.

Previously, the Euteltracs service used Eutelsat II capacity.

The service will now support new users in the Middle and Far East and the Arabian peninsula, with coverage that extends to Novosibirsk (Russia), Ourolimtsi (China) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).

FCC Revokes Broadband Satellite Licences
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has revoked the licences held by three satellite operators for the construction and operation of broadband satellites because the companies did not begin satellite construction by a deadline of May 1998.

The companies affected are:

* Netsat 28 (1 satellite at 95° W)
* Morning Star Satellite Co LLC (satellites at 62° W, 147° W, 30° E, 107.5°E)
* PanAmSat (satellites at 58° W, 125° W)

Netsat 28 and Morning Star did not produce an eligible contract for satellite construction by the May 98 deadline, though Netsat 28 eventually signed a contract with Space Systems/Loral in December 1999

PanAmSat's licence concerns the PAS 10 and 11 satellites. PanAmSat filed a request to modify these licences to include intersatellite links (ISLs), but since the FCC has not yet assigned frequencies for ISLs PanAmSat requested that the milestone schedule be suspended until frequency assignments are available. The FCC rejected this application on the grounds that it could be used as a tactic for continuously introducing delays into the construction process.

EMS, which is in the process of acquiring Netsat 28, is considering an appeal against the decision as well as other options.

Phones and VSATs for Mexican Petrol Stations
Satmex and Globalstar de México have signed an agreement with The National Organization of Gas Expenders (ONEXPO), an operator of 4,500 petrol stations across Mexico, to implement satellite-based data and voice communications services throughout its dealer network.

Under the terms of the agreement, Satmex and Globalstar de México will provide consulting services to ONEXPO to develop a plan for the use of both very small aperture terminals (VSAT) and Globalstar fixed phone units at ONEXPO dealers across Mexico. These two systems will be used in varying combinations to allow individual dealers to send and receive customer transaction and other data over Satmex geostationary satellites and also to provide voice telephone service to dealers in remote locations who currently have limited or, in some cases, no access to terrestrial telephone service.

Second European Satellite for GE Americom
GE American Communications (GE Americom) has announced plans to launch GE-2E, an all Ku-band satellite to serve the rapidly growing European market.

GE-2E, GE Americom's second European payload is planned to begin operation from 24° W in the 4th quarter of 2002. The satellite is expected to meet the delivery needs of broadband data and Internet content and service providers in
addition to cable and broadcast television programmers across Europe, including Scandinavia and the Middle East.

GE Americom's current European capacity, GE-1E at 5° E (half of the capacity on the Sirius 2 spacecraft), is nearly full.

TRW Ships Astromesh Reflector
TRW's Astro Aerospace subsidiary has delivered the third in a series of four large, lightweight, deployable reflectors designed to serve as an antenna for high-power spacecraft communications systems to Hughes Space and Communications Co.

Measuring more than 12 m in diameter and weighing only 55 kg, the reflector is one of the largest developed for satellite communications applications, such as mobile communications systems. Its large size enables it to carry hand-held voice and data communications from geo-stationary orbit.

The antenna was built using TRW's patented AstroMesh technology. AstroMesh reflectors, which have been built in 6m and 12 m designs, are made of a graphite composite tube truss structure that unfolds from a cylindrical stowed shape. When stowed, the reflector folds into a package only 10% of its full diameter.

TRW Astro Aerospace designs and manufactures space deployable structures, including deployable truss masts, telescopic booms, storable tubular extendible members, solar arrays and deep truss structures.

The antenna is probably intended for the Thuraya mobile phone satellite which is scheduled for launch in August or September this year.

Earth Observation

NPOESS Preparatory Project Study Contracts Awarded
TRW Inc and Lockheed Martin Space Systems have each been awarded a three-month study contract by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) for the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project (NPP).

Scheduled for launch in 2005, NPP has two primary objectives. NPP will reduce risk on NPOESS, the USA's next-generation, polar-orbiting environmental weather satellite system, by assessing the operational capability of NPOESS' ground system elements and three of its four primary instruments. The other objective is to ensure the continuity of earth science data between the launch of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) spacecraft in the next three years and NPOESS spacecraft toward the end of this decade.

TRW is building the spacecraft and integrating the instruments onto NASA's EOS Aqua and Aura satellites. TRW is also leading a team developing an affordable, total system solution for NPOESS under a 27-month program definition and risk reduction contract.

For the NPP study, TRW will determine how to best accommodate advanced environmental science instruments on one of TRW's existing, qualified spacecraft products in NASA's Rapid II catalog. NASA's Rapid II spacecraft catalog is a procurement approach that offers rapid development and production of spacecraft using standardised spacecraft products.

Military Space

IBS First Phase Study Contract for Lockheed Martin
A Lockheed Martin led industry team has been selected for the competitive first phase of the Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS) program, a Joint Services programme that will effectively manage the flow of intelligence data from
satellites and sensors to warfighters.

The Lockheed Martin team was awarded a US$ 2 million contract for the six-month programme definition and risk reduction phase.

The IBS project is a six-year, Department of Defense programme for the Joint Services, with a potential value of US$ 60 million. An engineering and manufacturing development contract is expected to be awarded in April 2001.

The IBS service will make the large amounts of data from intelligence gathering satellites and other sensors more manageable for users. The service will allow members of the U.S. military to set preferences for data and information they need, such as enemy troop movements, fortifications, weaponry and terrain obstacles. IBS will have the capability to sort through the streaming data and funnel relevant information to users based on their pre-set mission profiles. When fielded, IBS will provide continuous, world-wide service to the military. Eventually, the service will also provide data in a Common Message Format.

Science

ISRO Planning Lunar Mission
According to India Today, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) intends to launch a probe to the moon in 2005. The main reason behind the project is reported to be to motivate Indian scientists and the Indian nation.

The project, which will probably be for a lunar orbiter, is still in the planning stage and has an expected price tag of Rs 3.4 billion. ISRO believes it already has the key spacecraft and launcher technology necessary to achieve this goal.

Manned Space

Cdn$ 72 Million Canadarm Contract for MacDonald Dettwiler
The Canadian Space Agency has placed a Cdn$ 72 Million Contract with MD Robotics, of Brampton, Ontario for work on the International Space Station.

The contract is to support the logistics and engineering behind the Mobile Servicing System (MSS). This system, which includes the new generation Canadarm, is indispensable to the assembly of the Space Station. Almost 600 jobs will be created in leading-edge engineering and space technologies.

Under the terms of the contract, MD Robotics will have the mandate to carry out the maintenance of the MSS, to make required updates on its software, to provide necessary spare parts and to maintain the engineering expertise essential to the proper functioning of this new robotic manipulator for the next three years.

The Mobile Servicing System is a sophisticated robotic system critical to the assembly, maintenance and servicing of the Space Station. The Canadian elements of the MSS are comprised of four components including the Space Station Remote Manipulator System, the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator, the Mobile Base System and the Artificial Vision Unit. This combination represents some of the most advanced robotics in the world.

Technology

Atlantic Research's Apogee Motor Performs Well
Atlantic Research Corporation's LEROS 1C Liquid Apogee Engine has successfully performed orbit-raising manoeuvres for two A2100 satellites built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale Operations.

The LEROS 1C engine uses a conventional columbium chamber with hydrazine and nitrogen tetraoxide as propellants. It delivers a specific impulse in excess of 325 seconds, which is up to 10 seconds higher than other engines of its class. This increased performance offers significant advantages, including increased payload capability, longer on-station life, and reduced launch costs.

The LEROS 1C was developed and manufactured by ARC UK Ltd of Westcott, England. The LEROS 1C is the third generation in the successful LEROS 1 engine series, of which over 45 engines have been flown on various communications satellites and interplanetary missions.

ARC UK Ltd is currently developing the LEROS 1D apogee engine, designed to deliver specific impulse in excess of 330 seconds. Development is also proceeding on an advanced 5-lbf attitude control thruster, the LEROS 20Ha, which will use the same propellants as the LEROS 1C and 1D apogee engines. Both programs are co-funded by the European Space Agency.

ARC, a unit of Sequa Corporation, is a leading developer and producer of solid propellant rocket motors, gas generators, advanced composite materials and liquid propulsion systems, including the liquid propellant rocket motor line acquired from Royal Ordnance in late 1998.

Triple Junction Solar Cells from Emcore
Emcore Corporation has announced that the company's new triple-junction solar cells with 26% efficiency are in production and are being shipped to customers for space qualifications.

During qualification testing, these cells demonstrated a power loss of only 8% under a typical 15 year geostationary orbit characteristic of communication satellites. These new solar cells are expected to significantly improve satellite communications economics by increasing payload capabilities.

Those applications demanding the absolute highest performance can gain 10% more power with Emcore's triple-junction solar cells than with previous triple junction cell designs. These triple-junction compound semiconductor solar cells are being produced at Emcore's facility in the Sandia Technology Park, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The high initial efficiency coupled with the lowest on-orbit power loss in the industry enables satellite manufacturers to offer increased payload for the same solar array size at a cost comparable to previous designs.

The average efficiency of Emcore's triple-junction solar cells currently in production is 26%, and the maximum efficiency observed to date is 26.8%.

Launch Vehicles

Boeing Rationalises - 900 Jobs to Go
Boeing has revealed that it will eliminate up to 900 jobs from its Delta rocket and C-17 military transport programs in Huntington Beach and transfer the work to plants in Colorado and Alabama. The move is part of a consolidation of manufacturing operations that began in 1998, a few months after Boeing acquired competitor McDonnell Douglas.

About 300 production jobs will be eliminated from Delta programs. Up to 300 more support jobs will also be lost.

The transition will begin in the third quarter, and is expected to be complete by the second quarter of 2002.

Most Delta work now done in Huntington Beach will be moved to Pueblo, Colorado., and Decatur, Alabama. The Huntington Beach facility still will manufacture Delta IV nose cones and hydraulic systems and other components for the Delta II and Delta III.

Delta IV work now done in Pueblo will be moved to Decatur as part of the consolidation. Existing work forces in Pueblo and Decatur will absorb the additional work. The plan will maximise the use of existing Delta facilities, which are currently 80% under-utilised.

After the move, Huntington Beach's primary mission will be engineering, research and management of rocket manufacturing programs.

Boeing's space shuttle production and maintenance operations, also in Huntington Beach, will not be affected.

Boeing to Launch Radarsat 2
The Boeing Co will launch Canada's Radarsat-2 Earth-observation satellite, with the world's most advanced synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system, on board a Delta II rocket in 2003.

MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, awarded Boeing the contract to launch the satellite.

Satellite mass is expected to be 2,600 kg, and it will be placed in a sun synchronous orbit with an altitude of 798 km and an inclination of 98.6°.

Radarsat-2 will offer data for new applications tailored to market needs, thereby enhancing the satellite's potential for providing new environmental and resource information. It will also have an all-weather, 24-hour viewing imager with a ground resolution of 3 m.

Launches

Feng Yun 3C

Launched: 25 June 2000
Site: Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, China
Launcher: Long March 3C
Orbit: GEO 105° E
International Number: 2000-032A
Name: Feng Yun 3C
Contractor: Shanghai Aerospace Technology Research Institute, the Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology

Feng Yun 3C is a meteorological satellite.

Nadezhda, Xinhua-1, SNAP-1

Launched: 28 June 2000
Site: Plesetsk, Russia
Launcher: Cosmos 3M

Orbit: LEO, apogee: 708 km, perigee: 684 km: inclination: 98.1°
International Number: 2000-033A
Name: Nadezhda 06

Orbit: LEO, apogee: 708 km, perigee: 684 km: inclination: 98.1°
International Number: 2000-033B
Name: Xinhua-1
Owner: Tsinghua University and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd
Contractor: Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd

Orbit: LEO, apogee: 708 km, perigee: 684 km: inclination: 98.1°
International Number: 2000-033C
Name: SNAP-1
Owner: Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd
Contractor: Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd

Nadezhda 06 is a navigational satellite intended to be used with the COSPAR-SARSAT international rescue system

The Tsinghua-1 microsatellite, is a collaborative project between Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, and SSTL, UK. It carries multispectral Earth imaging cameras providing 39 m nadir ground resolution in 3 spectral bands, as a demonstrator for the upcoming Disaster Monitoring Constellation of microsatellites, as well as experimental communications payloads.

SNAP-1 is a research spacecraft for evaluating the use of commercial micro-miniature technologies for nanosatellites. It has a mass of 6.5 kg and carries advanced micro-miniature GPS navigation, camera technology, onboard computing, propulsion and attitude control technologies.

The SNAP-1 and Tsinghua-1 spacecraft will attempt to rendezvous in-orbit and demonstrate formation flying of such small satellites for the first time.

TDRS-H

Launched: 30 June 2000
Site: Kennedy Space Center
Launcher: Atlas 2A
Orbit: GEO 171° W
International Number: 2000-034A
Name: TDRS-H
Owner: NASA
Contractor: Hughes Space and Communications

Once operational TDRS-H will be renamed TDRS-8.

TDRS-H is a tracking and data relay satellite used by NASA primarily during space shuttle missions and NASA science satellites. In addition to the Space Shuttle, other NASA programs using the TDRS fleet include the Hubble Space Telescope, STARlink, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), Landsat (LSAT), the Earth Observing System (EOS), Expendable Launch Vehicle tracking, and soon the International Space Station.

It is based on a modified Hughes HS 601 platform and carries S, Ku and Ka band payloads. It is the first of a series of three TDRS satellites being built by Hughes to update NASA's TDRS fleet.

TDRS-H receive data rates are 300 Mb/s at Ku and Ka band, and 6 Mb/s at S band. It carries the additional capability for Ka band receive rates of up to 800 Mb/s. Transmit data rates are 25 Mb/s for Ku and Ka band, and 300 kb/s for S band. In addition, S-band phased array antenna can receive signals from five spacecraft at once, while transmitting to one.

The spacecraft is equipped with a pair of innovative folding antennas. The 4.6 m diameter, flexible graphite mesh antenna reflectors fold up for launch, then "spring back" into their original cupped circular shape on orbit. These steerable, single-access antennas can simultaneously transmit and receive at S band and either Ku or Ka band, supporting dual independent two-way communication.

When fully deployed, the TDRS-H satellite measures 21.0 m in length and 13.2 m in width. At beginning of life, its weight on orbit will be 1777 kg and it generates 2300 W of electrical power.

Sirius 1

Launched: 30 June 2000
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Proton/Block DM
Orbit: GEO
International Number: 2000-035A
Name: Sirius 1
Owner: Sirius Satellite Radio
Contractor: Space Systems/Loral

Sirius 1 is a geostationary communications satellite which will be used to broadcast digital radio to North America

Business

Globalstar's Woes
Conflicting reports are coming out of Globalstar and its backers on the repayment of a US$ 250 million credit facility from The Chase Manhattan Bank which was drawn on in early June and which expired on June 30th.

Globalstar is believed by analysts to have drawn on the revolving credit agreement on or about June 10th. When repayment was due on June 30th Globalstar defaulted and the loan's guarantors, Lockheed Martin, Qualcomm, DASA and Loral Space & Communications, were called on to make good the payment, which they then did.

Lockheed Martin repaid US$ 207 million, including fees and interest, to The Chase Manhattan Bank and is now in dispute with Globalstar about the form of its reimbursement. Under the terms of its agreement with Globalstar, Lockheed Martin is entitled to repayment of any amounts paid under the guarantee. Loral Space & Communications has paid US$ 57 million to Lockheed Martin. That payment is based on a separate indemnification agreement made by Loral to Lockheed Martin.

When the credit facility was set up in 1996 the guarantors received warrants for Globalstar common stock in consideration for their guarantee. Globalstar has offered the guarantors pay-in-kind notes due in 2003. Lockheed Martin has rejected this offer. In effect the net result is that Globalstar has received a US$ 250 million cash injection and the guarantors to the Chase credit facility have been left with notes which could be effectively worthless when they become due in 3 years time if Globalstar folds.

By year end, Globalstar expects to have some US$ 90 million left from the US$ 250 million it received under the credit facility, plus any revenues it receives from sale of its services. Analysts now believe that Globalstar, which is losing approximately US$ 30 million a month, has enough money to continue operating until March 2001.

New Subsidiary at Motient
Motient Corporation, formerly American Mobile Satellite, has announced the creation of a new subsidiary, Motient Satellite Ventures LLC.

The new subsidiary includes an investment group made up of Columbia Capital, Spectrum Equity Investors and Telcom Ventures LLC. The investment group will initially invest US$ 50 million to acquire a 20% ownership in the new subsidiary, which may be converted into stock of the parent company. The group also has an option to increase their investment over the next two years to a majority stake in the venture.

OrbComm Hits Money Problems
LEO satellite data communication service provider OrbComm Global LP (OrbComm) has fired 112 employees and contractors "to align its operational expenses with its revenue and funding sources".

OrbComm believes this reduction in workforce, about 20% of its staff, will not prevent it from supporting its core competencies, including the maintenance and operation of the OrbComm satellite constellation and the provision of OrbComm services to a growing community of customers around the world.

Orbital Sciences Corporation, which designs, manufactures and launches OrbComm's satellites, is delaying production of future OrbComm satellites. Orbital Sciences is reported to have stopped all work on the satellites.

This revised production schedule will allow OrbComm to dedicate its capital to the marketing, sales and installation of subscriber units for new and existing customers. The procurement of additional satellites is neither time- nor operationally critical at this time to the distribution of OrbComm service.

OrbComm's problems appear to stem not so much from its own financial position, but from those of its main investor, Teleglobe. Orbcomm has a negative cash flow and is still in the phase of building its market and requires considerable, regular, cash injections from its shareholders Teleglobe and Orbital Sciences. Teleglobe is losing money at an alarming rate and has just been acquired by Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE). BCE is rumoured to believe that Teleglobe's 66% stake in OrbComm is a luxury it cannot afford to keep. Recently Teleglobe missed a US$ 8 million payment it was due to make to OrbComm, precipitating the current problems at the LEO satellite operator.

OrbComm's other investor, Orbital Sciences, also has financial problems having lost its shareholder's confidence following a series of disagreements about its accounting practices. Orbital Sciences has recently dismissed its accountants KPMG and has reissued its last four annual financial reports.

Teledesic Opens Saudi Office
Future global broadband satellite operator Teledesic LLC has opened an office in Riyadh and appointed telecommunications regulatory veteran Sami Al Basheer to head the office as its director of Middle Eastern and North African affairs.

Prior to joining Teledesic, Al Basheer served as chief of the regional office for the Arab States at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and served as the chairman of its Telecommunication Advisory Development Board, where he was responsible for ITU efforts on Global Telecommunication Development. He also served as the chairman for the 1995 ITU World Radiocommunicaiton Conference and was a member of the ITU Council representing Saudi Arabia from 1983-1998.

People

Dave Smith Joins SpaceDev
SpaceDev Inc has appointed Mr. David B. Smith to the newly created position of Chief Technical Officer. He will also assume the role as Vice President of Engineering with responsibility for consolidating overall company technical activities, and to ensure the development of quality hardware and flight systems.

One of Smith's first duties will be to assume management responsibilities for the company's commercial deep space missions, including the company's commercial Lunar, asteroid and Mars exploration initiatives.

In related news, Mr. Charles H. Lloyd, Chief Financial Officer, has been made responsible for setting up a new business structure for lunar and deep space mission funding. He will be working with corporate sponsors and partners in the broadcast and Internet arenas, and will be identifying future investors for SpaceDev's opportunities. As a result of increased interest in and work on the potential commercial lunar mission, SpaceDev is seeking a new target asteroid, with a later launch date, for its proposed Near Earth Asteroid Prospector (NEAP). The mission still has a high corporate priority, and the new target and tentative launch date will be announced later in the year.

New President at the EBU
The directors general of Europe's public service broadcasters have elected Arne Wessberg, head of the Finnish broadcaster YLE, as President of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

Wessberg, who is also President of Eurosport, will succeed Albert Scharf, Director General of the Bayerischer Rundfunk (Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation). Scharf completes his ninth consecutive two-year term as EBU President on 31 December.

Boris Bergant, Deputy Director General of RTVSLO, Klaus Berg, Director General of ARD/Hessischer Rundfunk, Michèle Cotta, Director General of France 2, and Roberto Zaccaria, President of RAI were elected to the four offices of Vice-President.

Prashanth Narasimha Joins The Fantastic Corporation
The Fantastic Corporation has appointed Mr. Prashanth Narasimha as Vice President Corporate Marketing, starting in August 2000.

Mr. Narasimha is a strong strategist with broad ranging international technology, marketing and managementexperience and will lead Fantastic's global marketing activities.

He will be responsible for all global Marketing aspects including Product Marketing, Product Management, Competitive Analysis, Product Solution & Pricing as well as PR and Marketing Communications.

As part of the Executive Office, Mr. Narasimha will directly report to the CEO and will be based at The Fantastic Corporation's headquarters in Zug, Switzerland.

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