11 February 2001

Satcoms

Americom Asia-Pacific Establishes Hong Kong Teleport for GE-1A
Americom Asia-Pacific LLC has announced an alliance with Hong Kong's largest broadcaster Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting (GSB), to provide teleport services to the recently-launched GE-1A satellite.

From its facilities in Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong, GSB will provide a full range of teleport services for the powerful Ku band satellite GE-1A, located at 108.2° E. Services can be provided on two of the satellite's three beams: the Northeast Asia and the China beams, which combine to cover China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and the northern regions of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Nepal. The teleport will enable the delivery of broadband data and Internet applications, VSAT network services, occasional use feeds, and SCPC and MCPC video programming to cable headends, broadcast stations, enterprises and hotels.

The teleport consists of an 11 m Ku band antenna and several RF chains, with possible connectivity to Internet and fibre backhaul between Hong Kong and the US. Video compression and IP encapsulation platforms are also available at the teleport. The facility was completed in early December 2000 and is available immediately.

The spacecraft features 28 active 36 MHz Ku band transponders with 120 W TWTAs. The GE-1A satellite is an A2100AX spacecraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, with a minimum useful life of 15 years. GE-1A will deliver Internet applications, VSAT, data and telecommunications services, cable and broadcast programming.

GSB is a subsidiary of Television Broadcasting Ltd (TVB), a publicly listed, blue-chip company in Hong Kong. In April 2000, the Hong Kong Special Administration Regional government granted a license to GSB to provide teleport services to third parties. GSB has built a teleport with antennas servicing GE-1A, APSTAR-2R, PAS-2 and PAS-8. Three more antennas will be in service this year and, when completed, the teleport will have more than 10 earth stations providing a broad range of transmission services. Recently, GSB was granted a license to develop and deliver a pay-TV service in Hong Kong. GSB and its affiliated companies are planning to separate from TVB with shares of the newly formed company to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange later this year.

Bell Canada Plans to Integrate Internet and Satellite TV
BCE Inc (Bell Canada Enterprises) has announced plans to develop a new technology that will integrate always-on high-speed Internet access with satellite television and enhanced digital storage.

This will permit the company to combine Bell ExpressVu, its leading satellite TV service, with its Sympatico High Speed Edition DSL Internet access service along with content from Bell Globemedia, its multi-media company

This new technology, code-named 'ComboBox', will allow Bell ExpressVu and Sympatico High Speed Edition to provide more efficient and easy access to existing services and open up new opportunities for a wide array of interactive services that will greatly enrich the customer experience. In addition, with Bell Globemedia, we have the video, Internet and information resources to support the creation of new interactive content especially for the Canadian market.

The services will be delivered via an Internet gateway connected through Bell's DSL service and an enhanced television set top box. By integrating these capabilities, Bell ExpressVu customers will be able to access the Internet from their television, send and receive e-mails, chat on-line, use instant messaging, obtain interactive information on the broadcast programs that they are watching, as well as play games, download content and create customised programming. Similarly, Bell's high-speed Internet customers will be able to add interactive digital television and home networking capabilities to their DSL service.

An important feature of this technology will be an embedded digital storage capability as part of a "personal video recorder". Using this, customers will not only be able to easily record broadcast programs for later playback, but will be able to use Internet content to create personalised news, information and entertainment programs. Customers can choose what they want to watch and have it available when they want to watch it.

Cyberstar Opens Singapore Control Centre
Loral CyberStar has opened an Asian network operations centre (NOC) and master control room (MCR) in Singapore. Using the latest technology and equipment, the new NOC/MCR will monitor all satellite and equipment operations as well as provide helpdesk functions for CyberStar products.

The new NOC/MCR is co-located with CyberStar's Asian business headquarters in Singapore and is staffed by Asian technical staff and engineers to provide round-the-clock operations and helpdesk services as well as monitor the many Asia-region satellites on which CyberStar leases transponders, including Agila-II, JCSAT-3, Telstar 10, PAS-2, PAS-8, and AsiaSat 2 satellites. To ensure further reliability and continuous service for Asian customers, the Singapore NOC/MSR will be fully redundant with CyberStar's main NOCs in the United States and Germany. All three NOCs provide real-time network performance management, technician call-out management, network configuration, change management and technical support.

EMS Technologies to Supply Satellite Repeaters to Khrunichev
Under a contract worth US$ 23 million, a Canadian unit of EMS Technologies Inc will supply Russian satellite operator and builder Khrunichev State Research and Production Center Moscow, with three flight satellite repeaters and one engineering model.

The satellite repeaters will provide fixed satellite service communications throughout Russia, Eastern Europe and Western Asia and are to fly on board the Dialog satellites.

These repeaters, being designed and manufactured by EMS Technologies' Space & Technology Group in Montreal, Canada, will receive, filter, amplify and re-transmit communications signals in C and Ku band and are expected to be delivered over a 48-month schedule.

Globalstar Opens 24th Gateway
Globalstar has officially opened its 24th gateway in Ogulbey, Turkey, continuing the company's worldwide rollout of service.

Formally inaugurated in late January, this new gateway expands Globalstar network coverage across parts of Southeast Europe, the Middle East, and northern Africa. From this gateway, commercial service has now been initiated in Turkey and will be offered in Egypt starting later this month. Service in these countries is being provided through TE.SA.M. (Telecommunications par Satellites Mobiles), a Globalstar service provider partner which operates Globalstar service in 28 countries across South America, Europe and northern Africa.

With the addition of the Ogulbey gateway to the company's network, Globalstar coverage now serves well over 70% of the world's landmass along with extensive offshore and mid-ocean maritime areas.

Intelsat and Verestar Open 155 Mb/s Internet Link to China
Intelsat and Verestar Inc have successfully implemented the first satellite-based OC-3 (155 Mb/s) duplex Internet service between the United States and China.

The service uses Verestar's Brewster facilities, in Washington State, USA, which provides access to the Intelsat space segment, as well as direct connectivity to the US fibre backbone. The satellite capacity used is a Ku to Ku band link on the Intelsat spacecraft at 174° E.

International Datacasting Wins Middle Internet East Contract
International Datacasting has been selected to design, build, and implement a broadband satellite system delivering Internet content and connectivity for the Middle East.

The initial contract is valued at Cdn$ 3.9 million. This new infrastructure will provide high-speed Internet access and streaming multimedia, video, and audio to consumers and business customers across the Middle East.

International Datacasting's SuperFlex technology was selected over a number of competitors for this project because of its modular, integrated approach that incorporates "best-of-breed" products including system components from Skystream Networks and Telemann Global Systems. The system also features broadband ISP and network design technologies provided by IDC subsidiaries Storm Internet and CDS Prometheus.

SuperFlex is a digital satellite networking system designed to distribute broadband multimedia content (such as Internet content and streaming media) by satellite. The system incorporates advanced technology using Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), Internet Protocol (IP) and MPEG international standards.

Mach 6 Selects Harmonic to Power New IP VSAT and One Way Services
Mach 6, one of the leading independent solution providers for IP and Video satellite services, has selected the Harmonic's CyberStream IP-over-satellite system, by Harmonic Data Systems. Mach 6 is using CyberStream to establish their new commercial two-way VSAT and one-way services.

CyberStream enables Mach 6 to offer multiple commercial satellite solutions. Solutions include high-speed data transfers, multimedia applications, television and radio broadcasting, and Intranet and Extranet connectivity for businesses. The integrated system was tested for several months before going operational on December 16, 2000. Full time links and bandwidth-to-order options are now being offered in Europe and the Middle East.

CyberStream products used by Mach 6 include the CyberStream VSAT hub with DVB outbound and TDMA Inbound communications, CyberStream VSAT Terminals, the CyberStream Integrated Management System, the Enterprise1 LAN router/receiver device and the SatBox USB receiver device.

New Satellite for Intelsat
Intelsat has finalised an agreement to purchase an all Ku band satellite that will be used to create a new orbital role at 85° E.

Chinese satellite operator Sinosat has acquired rights to use six transponders on this satellite during the entire orbital manoeuvre life of the satellite, which will be manufactured by Astrium SAS of Toulouse, France. China Great Wall Industry Corp is scheduled to launch the spacecraft, which will be known as the Intelsat APR-3 satellite, in the Spring of 2002. As part of this arrangement, Sinosat also has acquired rights to use two C band transponders on the Intelsat satellite at the 178° E, scheduled to be operational by October 2003.

The primary applications for the new satellite will include corporate VSAT networks, video distribution to cable head-ends, and Internet connections to ISPs.

Qualcomm Ships 20,000th C Band Unit to Autotrac
Qualcomm Incorporated has shipped the 20,000th Omnitracs C band unit to Brazil's Autotrac Comercio e Telecomunicacoes.

The satellite-based Omnitracs mobile communications system, known as Omnisat in Brazil, has led the industry worldwide for more than a decade in providing fleet management solutions. Features include real-time, two-way messaging, automatic vehicle tracking, GPS positioning and seamless coverage in Brazil.

Tenzing and Hughes Global Services to Launch Broadband Internet and E-mail Service for Airlines
Tenzing Communications, a global communications provider offering travellers in-flight access to Web content and e-mail, has announced an agreement with Hughes Global Services. (HGS) to offer global in-flight broadband communication services which will enable passengers to send and receive e-mail and browse the Internet at speeds up to several Mb/s.

This alliance enables Tenzing to integrate broadband capabilities into its existing onboard systems, expanding the range of in-flight communication options for airlines and their passengers. By the end of 2001, passengers will be able to choose their connectivity speed and surf the Web in real time, as well as send and receive e-mail from behind corporate firewalls via an onboard virtual private network.

WorldSpace Forges Alliance With Indonesian Electronics Giant
WorldSpace has signed a manufacturing, marketing and distribution agreement with the leading Indonesian electronics manufacturer, PT Hartono Istana Teknologi (HIT).

HIT has extensive electronic manufacturing experience under the Polytron, Digitec, and Okei brands, and also produces specially branded consumer electronics products for stores such as Wal-Mart. Established in 1977, it is the largest Indonesian manufacturer of consumer electronic goods, producing a wide range of entertainment electronic products and home appliances for the domestic and export market. Also a leader in research and design, HIT develops its own engineering resources to introduce new technologies to domestic and international markets.

Earth Observation

France and Italy Agree on Earth Observation
France and Italy have agreed to co-operate on the implementation of a multi-sensor (radar and optic) earth observation satellite constellation for civil and military purpose.

Four radar satellites and two high-resolution optic satellites will be launched between 2003 and 2006. The agreement effectively combines the CNES Pleiades project and the Italian Cosmo-Skymed project.

The optic component will be developed in France and will be a follow on the SPOT. The radar component will be developed in Italy. The ground segment will be developed by both Italy and France.

The system will be open to all European countries, especially to Spain, partner of France and Italy in the Helios program, as well as to Belgium and Sweden, partners in the SPOT program.

Sunsat Fails
South-African micro-satellite Sunsat has suffered a permanent failure and has been declared a total loss.

Built by the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, Sunsat was launched in February 1999 and was used for remote sensing and amateur radio communication. It was commercialised by Sunspace.

The last contact with the satellite, which has ceased operations, was on 19 January.

Science

Mir Contaminated With Uranium
American scientists have discovered that an instrument cover recovered from the Mir space station is contaminated with minute specs of the decay products of uranium. The big question is how did they get there.

The scientists, from California Polytechnic State University in Saint Luis Obispo, who discovered the radioactive decay products say this is the first positive evidence that the area of space close to Earth is contaminated with radioactivity. They believe that the radioactivity could have any of three possible sources:

• nuclear bomb tests carried out at orbital altitudes in the sixties by the US and also possibly by the Soviet Union and China
• a supernova which, several thousand years ago, spread the uranium, along with many other heavy element into its neighbouring star systems (including our own) when it exploded
• uranium from other satellites which have disintegrated and which carried small reactors for power generation or used depleted uranium as a ballast

The researchers discovered the uranium whilst analysing the gamma radiation given off by a small thermal blanket which was flown outside Mir from June 1991 to August 1995, protecting a scientific instrument from solar radiation and micrometeorites. The gamma rays detected were characteristic of leas-214 and bismuth-214, both decay products of uranium-238.

Testing Receivers on ESA's Huygens Probe
The European Space Agency is conducting a special calibration test on the Huygens receivers on the Cassini probe which is on its way to Saturn.

The tests are necessary because Cassini and Huygens may well have communications problems once they reach the Saturn in 2004 because the Doppler shift on radio transmissions between the two probes was not taken into account when the band limiting filters in the receivers on Cassini which receive the signals from Huygens were designed.

ESA has spent the last few months modelling the receivers performance in detail as the basis for developing a recovery plan. The model has already been calibrated using Engineering Model test results and the currently ongoing tests will allow the model to accurately reflect flight model performance.

Manned Space

Space Adventures Set Up Tito's ISS Visit
Denis Tito, Californian millionaire and probable first space tourist, is having the his trip to the International Space Station arranged by Virginia based Space Adventures.

Originally Tito was planning to travel to the Russian Mir space station under a contract with MirCorp. When this fell through because of Russia's plans to de-orbit Mir and it was announced that he would now fly to the ISS it was widely assumed that MirCorp was making the arrangements with the Russian authorities. Not so.

It looks like the canny Mr Tito has had parallel deals with MirCorp and Space Adventures for about a year, presumably just in case one of them failed to deliver. Tito has now finalised his flight contract and signed a contract with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency (Rosaviacosmos) last week. His flight to the ISS as a passenger on a Russian Soyuz craft is currently scheduled for 30 April.

Launch Services

EADS to Create Launcher Division
The European Aeronautic Defense and Space company (EADS) is to create a new division, EADS Launchers, which will include all of its launcher related activities.

EADS' launchers activities are currently split between EADS Launch Vehicle and Astrium.

Gathering together these activities within EADS Launchers is expected to help reduce Ariane 5's production cost to 50% of those of the first Ariane 5 lots.

EADS Launchers will include EADS Launch Vehicle activities, Astrium launchers activities, Astrium orbital infrastructures, Starsem and Eurockot.

NOAA-N to Fly on Delta II
NASA has announced that it is to exercise a contract option for a Delta II vehicle to launch NOAA-N for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The spacecraft is scheduled for a January 2003 launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

This firm-fixed-price option is covered under the NASA Medium Light (MED-LITE) launch service contract awarded by the agency in 1996, to McDonnell Douglas Corp, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company.

NASA's total launch services budget for NOAA-N is approximately US$ 56 million.

NOAA-N will be placed in polar orbit where it will take images and measurements of the Earth's atmosphere, cloud cover and surface, as well as to monitoring the proton and electron fluxes near the Earth. NOAA-N will also be capable of receiving, processing and re-transmitting data from free-floating balloons, buoys, and remote automatic-observation stations around the globe, as well as detecting and re-transmitting search-and-rescue distress signals.

Rotary Rocket Goes Into Hibernation
Rotary Rocket, the innovative launch vehicle developer, has ceased operation and is selling off its facilities. The company is solvent but cannot raise the investment it needs to continue and so is waiting for better times.

In the three and a half years since its inception, Rotary Rocket has constructed and hover tested an early version of its hybrid helicopter/rocket launch vehicle. Funding has been provided by individual private investors but more money is required to continue development and for full flight testing which, unfortunately, has not been forthcoming.

Yesterday, Rotary auctioned off its facility at the Mojave Airport. For sale to the highest bidder were tools, computers, testing equipment, office equipment and a three-story office/hanger and rocket assembly building.

Two ILS Launches For Echostar
EchoStar Communications subsidiary, EchoStar Orbital Corporation, has signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin's International Launch Services (ILS) to provide launch services for the EchoStar VII and EchoStar VIII satellites, which also includes options for launch services for additional satellites.

EchoStar VII and VIII are advanced, high-powered direct broadcast satellites (DBS) featuring spot-beam technology that will be used by EchoStar's Dish Network.

EchoStar VII is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of this year on a Lockheed Martin Atlas III launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral, Florida. EchoStar VIII is expected to launch during the first quarter of 2002 on a Russian Proton K launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.

EchoStar VII, which will operate from 119° W, is being designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems in Sunnyvale, California. EchoStar VIII, which will operate from 110° W, is being designed and manufactured by Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California. EchoStar VII and EchoStar VIII each will be capable of operating 32 DBS transponders, switchable to 16 transponders operating in a high-powered mode. In addition to the transponders that provide US coverage, each satellite contains spot-beam transponders which have been designed to work together to increase and enhance the delivery of Dish Network's local channel services.

Launches

Sicral 1, Skynet 4F

Launched: 7 February 2001
Site: CSG Kourou, French Guiana
Launcher: Ariane 44L

International Number: 2001-005A
Orbit: GEO, 16.2° E
Name: Sicral 1
Owner: Italian Ministry of Defence
Contractor: Sitab

International Number: 2001-005B
Orbit: GEO, 1° W or 6° E
Name: Skynet 4F
Owner: British Ministry of Defence
Contractor: Astrium


Sicral 1, is Italy's first military satellite and will provide communications services for the Italian Ministry of Defence. The satellite, which weighed 2,596 kg at lift-off, is equipped with nine SHF, UHF and EHF band transponders. Its onboard power is 3.29 kW at the beginning of its 10 year operational life.

Skynet 4F will provide strategic and tactical communications services for the British armed forces. It weighed 1,489 kg at lift-off and has an onboard power of 2 kW (BOL). The satellite carries four SHF, two UHF and two S band transponders. Its operational life is eight years.

STS 98 - US Laboratory

Launched: 7 February 2001
Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launcher: Shuttle Atlantis
Orbit: LEO, apogee: 328 km, perigee: 328 km: inclination: 51.6°
International Number: 2001-006A
Name: ISS 5A (US Destiny Laboratory Module) on the Shuttle Atlantis (STS-98)
Owner: NASA

This shuttle mission will deliver the 14,056 kg Destiny laboratory module to the International Space Station.

Destiny is the first of six main research laboratories that will be available to astronauts on the ISS. The other labs will be the US-built centrifuge accommodation module; the European Space Agency laboratory, Columbus; the Japanese experiment module, Kibo; and two Russian research modules.

Destiny contains five systems racks that will provide life-sustaining functions on board, including electrical power, cooling water, air revitalisation and temperature and humidity control. Each rack weighs about 545 kg. Six additional systems racks will be flown to Destiny on the next Shuttle flight, STS-102. Thirteen racks that will provide platforms for a variety of scientific experiments will follow on subsequent missions.

Crew: Kenneth Cockrell (commander), Mark Polansky (pilot), Robert Curbeam (mission specialist), Marsha Ivins (mission specialist), Thomas Jones (mission specialist).

Business

Orbcomm Bankruptcy Sale
Orbcomm Global, the operator of the world's first fully operational low-Earth orbit satellite- based data communication system, is seeking bankruptcy court approval to begin an auction process to sell the business as a going concern.

Orbcomm has been operating under Chapter 11 protection since September 15, 2000. During this period, Orbcomm has continued to provide uninterrupted data communication services to its customers and business partners around the world.

If Orbcomm receives bankruptcy court approval for the auction, it plans to issue an invitation to submit bids to prospective bidders shortly thereafter. The auction process would then take place during the rest of the month of February. After evaluating all bids received, Orbcomm would seek to obtain bankruptcy court approval of what it concludes represents the "highest and best" bid in early March, with the transaction closing shortly thereafter.

Orbcomm provides two-way monitoring, tracking and messaging services through the world's first commercial low-Earth orbit satellite-based data communication system. Orbcomm applications include tracking of mobile assets such as trailers, containers, locomotives, rail cars, heavy equipment, fishing vessels, barges and government assets; monitoring of fixed assets such as electric utility meters, oil and gas storage tanks, wells and pipelines and environmental projects; and messaging services for consumers and commercial and government entities.

Stratos Becomes Sole Iridium Distributor
Stratos Global Corporation of Canada has entered into an agreement for sole management of the world-wide sales and distribution of the Iridium mobile satellite communication services on behalf of Iridium Satellite LLC.

Stratos, through its wholly owned US subsidiary Satellite Distribution Services Inc (SDSI), has entered into a 5-year agreement with Iridium Satellite LLC to manage all of the top-level commercial service providers of the new Iridium services, as well as co-ordinating the marketing functions with Iridium.

Products and Services

DSNG Encoder From Scopus
Scopus, a leading provider of digital compression technology to the broadcasting industry, is to launch the CODIOC E-1700 DSNG encoder at NAB 2001.

Housed in a 1RU enclosure, Scopus' new encoder is especially designed to fit into the smallest DSNG vehicles while maintaining the highest industry standards set.

The CODICO E-1700 features a built-in modulator to allow the combination of both encoding and modulation in one unit. By better utilising the DSNG vehicles' space, the E-1700 enables broadcasters to triple their transmission capacity.

People

Tandberg TV Promotes Eric Clooney
Tandberg Television has promoted Eric Cooney, its current Director of Sales and Marketing, to the position of Vice President and General Manager of Tandberg Television Americas.

The promotion will see him take overall responsibility for the company's growing presence in North, Central and South America.

Tandberg Television has also announced that its current Americas VP and General Manager, Pat Bohana, is taking early retirement.

Worldspace Announces Three Appointments
The WorldSpace Corporation has announced that three veteran executives from the fields of marketing, engineering, and finance have accepted senior positions at the international satellite audio and multimedia broadcasting company.

Joining WorldSpace in the position of Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing & Sales is Mr Timothy J Puckorius. He will be responsible for directing WorldSpace Corporation's efforts to bring its innovative products and services to consumers around the globe.

Joining WorldSpace as Senior Vice President of Business Integration and Product Strategy is Mr Yajaman N Bhushan. He will be responsible for co-ordinating and integrating the requirements of the regional WorldSpace businesses at headquarters.

Serving as Senior Vice President of Finance is Mr John M Novack. Mr Novack will be responsible for directing the company's strategic planning, Web site enhancement, joint ventures, business analysis, procurement and contracts, and laying the groundwork for the company to pursue a possible initial public offering in the near future.

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