13 May 2001

Satcoms

More Capacity for EBU
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has just concluded two deals, one with Eutelsat and one with PanAmSat, which extends the coverage of its network of Europe, the Middle East, the Gulf, the Arabian Peninsula and the Americas.

The EBU has acquired a 72 MHz transponder with extended coverage on the Eutelsat W1 satellite at 10° E. The lease brings the total capacity of the Eurovision network over Europe to a combination of up to 38 permanent low bit-rate channels (8-12 Mbit/s) and 14 permanent high bit-rate channels (24 Mbit/s) available for digital video contribution.

The EBU has also reached an agreement with PanAmSat for a permanent lease of one of its transponders affording it enhanced coverage and feeding capacity from and over the Americas. The agreement gives the EBU a permanent lease of 18 MHz on transponder 19 of PanAmSat's PAS-9 satellite at 58° W. The transponder offers global beam coverage and can be operated both to and from Europe and the Americas.

ScreamingMedia to Supply Content for Connexion by Boeing
Boeing has contracted with ScreamingMedia Inc to provide the Connexion by Boeing service with customised, destination-based content.

Under the terms of the agreement, the value for which was not disclosed, ScreamingMedia will aggregate licensed content - including worldwide, national and local news, sports and features - from more than 3,000 publications in its global digital content network, then filter, deliver and instantaneously integrate it into the Connexion by Boeing service. As a result, passengers using Connexion by Boeing will have online access to local destination guides, restaurant listings, hotel information, rental car and transportation information, entertainment listings, cultural events and more.

ScreamingMedia will provide Connexion by Boeing with its own network content and also will use its technology solution software to deliver pre-contracted third-party content. ScreamingMedia's ContentEngine technology will parse, normalise, process, customise and integrate content as part of the delivery process. Connexion by Boeing will then use the acquired destination and news content to supplement the live television and radio content and flight-specific information provided to passengers during flight.

WildBlue Selects Channel Master to Manufacture Consumer Antennas
WildBlue Communications Inc has selected Channel Master LLC to build the satellite mini-dish antennas that consumers will use to access WildBlue's 2-way wireless broadband service. These mini-dishes can also receive the DBS signals for digital satellite TV.

Under the terms of the agreement, Channel Master will develop and manufacture the small 61 by 66 cm transmit-receive Ka band antenna systems, along with DBS UpGrade kits for the program. In addition, Channel Master will provide a number of value-added services including product integration.

WildBlue plans to roll out two-way broadband services via satellite direct to homes and small offices throughout the contiguous United States in early 2002 and subsequently expand service to Canada and Latin America. WildBlue plans to be the first to launch the next generation Ka band spot beam satellite technology that is designed to lower the cost of providing high speed Internet access via satellite. This service is expected to be especially appealing to the millions of homes that will not have access to DSL or cable modem service.

WildBlue's small 61 by 66 cm satellite mini-dish antenna will both transmit and receive data from WildBlue's next generation Ka band satellite, which then retransmits the signal to a gateway earth station connected to the Internet backbone. This antenna will provide a "one dish solution" for both satellite TV and high-speed Internet service.

Earth Observation

Joint Atmospheric Mission for India and France
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the French Space Agency (CNES) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the design of a joint satellite mission, Megha Tropiques, for atmospheric research.

Megha Tropiques (Megha meaning cloud in Sanskrit and Tropiques meaning tropics in French) will be a satellite mission for conducting research on the contribution of water cycle in the tropical atmosphere to the climate dynamics. The satellite is to carry three scientific instruments:

• a Multi-frequency Microwave Scanning Radiometer, MADRAS, providing
  information on rain above the oceans, integrated water vapour content
  in the atmosphere, liquid water in clouds, convective rain over land
  and sea.
• a Multi-channel Microwave Instrument, SAPHIR, providing vertical
  humidity profile in the atmosphere and
• a Multi-channel instrument, SCARAB, providing data on the earth's
  radiation budget.

Of these three instruments, MADRAS will be developed jointly by CNES and ISRO while the other two instruments will be supplied by CNES. The Megha Tropiques will use the 'PROTEUS' spacecraft platform developed by CNES.

ISRO will launch the satellite on its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV, into an orbit at a height of 867 km and an inclination of 20°. In this orbit, Megha Tropique can collect data repetitively over the tropics and supplement and complement the data obtained from geostationary and polar orbit satellites. The satellite will be controlled in orbit by CNES, and the scientific data will be received and distributed by ISRO from Bangalore. The launch is planned for the end 2005.

Navigation

GPS on the Farm
US farmers will soon get the chance to put the new GPS technology to the test through a partnership between NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NavCom Technology Inc.

Tractors will be equipped with receivers providing instant location information, which is vital for precision farming. The technology will allow farmers to navigate fields at night and when visibility is poor. More importantly, with soil sensors and other monitors, it will let them calculate and map out precisely where their fields may need more water, fertiliser or weed control, saving both time and money.

The system combines software developed by JPL and real-time global positioning system (GPS) data from the NASA Global GPS Network to produce corrections to the GPS orbits and clocks. These corrections are broadcast to people using communication satellites operated by NavCom, which has licensed the Internet-based Global Differential GPS software from JPL's parent institution, the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, and plans to market the system this summer.

While existing GPS data can be used to locate a position within a few meters, the new Global Differential GPS system provides an instantaneous position to within 10 cm horizontally and 20 cm vertically anywhere on Earth. No other system provides the same combination of accuracy and coverage.

In space, the new technology may enable improved performance by NASA's Earth-observing satellites. Since the satellites will have precise information on their position, the information may make onboard data processing more efficient and reduce the time needed to transmit the data to the ground. NASA also expects this new positioning technology to open the possibility for new airborne exploration techniques through more accurately controlled flights of airborne sensors.

Military Space

Fire at Russian Military Control Centre
A blaze on Wednesday, caused by an electrical short-circuit, at a Russian military satellite control centre near Kurilovo, about 100 km south-west of Moscow has caused severe damage to the facility.

No one was injured in the blaze which was fought by 100 firemen from Moscow and the Kaluga region as well as 10 military fire crews. However, control of four military satellites managed by the facility was lost for a short time until links were established using other facilities.

L-3 Comms Joins TRW's CCS-C Team
L-3 Communications has announced that three of its divisions, Communication Systems-West, Telemetry & Instrumentation and Storm Control Systems, have recently been selected as part of the TRW Inc team for a Phase One award in support of the Command and Control System-Consolidated (CCS-C) program.

TRW leads one of two teams competing for this program, the other being Integral Systems Inc. CCS-C will replace the current Air Force Satellite Control Network Command and Control Segment supporting Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) and other advanced satellite programs. L-3 Communications' role on the TRW team encompasses leading efforts in space vehicle command and telemetry processing, satellite simulation and data management.

Under the prime contract, each team received a US$ 3.4 million firm-fixed-price contract award. Both contractor teams will perform Phase One efforts consisting of the successful demonstration of proposed command and control systems. Following the results of Phase One, one contractor team will be selected to develop and sustain the CCS-C program from 2002 to 2010 at a potential estimated value of US$ 142.7 million.

L-3 Communications is a major subcontractor on the TRW team, and will supply significant Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) hardware/software to the CCS-C program.

Under the contract, Communication Systems-West will provide systems integration, satellite simulation, software development and maintenance, and logistics support; Telemetry & Instrumentation will provide telemetry processing, front-end hardware and software; and L-3 Storm Control Systems will provide the command procedure platform, spacecraft telemetry displays, Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) connectivity, and software development.

US$ 3.5 Million MTS Order for Comtech
Comtech Mobile Datacom Corp has received US$ 3.5 million in new orders for equipment and services to be used in the US Army's Movement Tracking System (MTS) program.

This is the second large order received by Comtech under an eight-year contract that has a potential total value of US$ 418 million.

The new order covers delivery of satellite tracking and messaging equipment and installation hardware for approximately 400 additional Army logistics vehicles and mobile control stations, and it also includes the associated satellite-based communications services. Delivery of units is to begin in June. Previous orders under the contract have involved delivery and installation of approximately 500 systems.

Science

Upgrading NASA's Deep Space Network
In preparion for the communication needs of an expected population boom in interplanetary spacecraft, NASA is to build an advanced dish antenna, 34 meters in diameter, near Madrid, Spain, one of the three sites of the agency's Deep Space Network.

The Deep Space Network is NASA's global system for communicating with interplanetary spacecraft. In late 2003 and early 2004, the United States, Europe and Japan will each have missions arriving at Mars, two other spacecraft will be encountering comets, and a third comet mission will launch. Several other missions will have continuing communication needs.

NASA has selected Schwartz-Hautmont Construcciones Metalicas SA of Tarragona, Spain, as the successful bidder to build a new antenna to be completed at the Madrid complex by November 2003. The antenna is the biggest piece in about US$ 54 million worth of improvements that NASA's Office of Space Science, Office of Space Flight, and Space Operations Management Office have set as priorities for increasing the Deep Space Network's capabilities by late 2003. Other parts of the plan would improve the capabilities of existing antennas at all three of the network's tracking complexes: Madrid; Canberra, Australia; and Goldstone, near Barstow, California.

The Deep Space Network communicates with spacecraft that are anywhere from near Earth to out past Pluto. The network uses clusters of antennas at the three sites spaced approximately one-third of the way around the Earth from each other so they can cover spacecraft in any direction as the world turns. Each station has one 70 m diameter antenna, plus several smaller ones.

Projections for demands on the network during the November 2003 to February 2004 period indicate the greatest need for increased communications capacity will be at Madrid. NASA plans to land two rovers on Mars in early 2004. Building a new 34 m antenna in Madrid would add about 70 hours of spacecraft-tracking time per week during the periods when Mars is in view of Madrid. The Madrid complex's current capacity is 210 hours within Mars view periods per week.

Technology

Coriolis Satellite RF Test System
RT Logic has announces that Spectrum Astro Inc has installed the RT Logic Telemetrix(TM) 70/70 to serve as the Coriolis Satellite RF Test Set.

The T70/70 provides the functionality to test the Coriolis satellite's S band downlink and uplink capability.

As an S band RF Test Set, the Telemetrix 70/70 verifies the proper operation of the Coriolis satellite's state-of-health uplink and downlink. Signal processing for the downlink includes S band radio frequency (RF) down-conversion, intermediate frequency (IF) demodulation at 70 MHz, subcarrier demodulation, and bit synchronisation. The uplink signal processing includes subcarrier and carrier modulation (to 70 MHz) and up-conversion to S band. The PC-based operator interface supports full configuration and monitoring of the S band test rack.

Coriolis is a test mission for the flight of two US Department of Defense payloads: Windsat and the Solar Mass Ejection Imager (SMEI). The Coriolis satellite is planned for launch in early 2002. The T70/70 is to become part of Spectrum Astro's satellite test infrastructure once the Coriolis satellite production is complete.

Using a standards-based open architecture, the T70/70 employs "best of breed" commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) RF, IF and baseband processing products to meet program requirements. The core of the T70/70 is a VME chassis running a highly reliable real-time operating system. The system uses rack-mount up- and down-converters, a VME IF receiver, a PMC subcarrier demodulator, VME bit synchronisers, and a PMC uplink modulator. RT Logic supplies many of the COTS IF and baseband products within the RF Test Set and provides all software from low-level drivers through comprehensive GUIs. RT Logic's Digital Vector Modulator generates the system's SGLS uplink, performing both baseband and IF modulation.

Launch Services

Aerojet to Develop Peroxide Engine for USAF Space Maneuver Vehicle
Aerojet has been awarded a US$ 10.4 million contract to design and develop a non-toxic peroxide Advanced Reusable Rocket Engine (ARRE) for the US Air Force's Space Maneuver Vehicle (SMV) concept.

Awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, the contract with additional options is expected to earn Aerojet up to US$ 29.9 million over the next four years.

The SMV is a small, unmanned space vehicle envisioned as a reusable satellite bus with substantial on-orbit manoeuvring capability. The USAF is considering the SMV concept for multiple missions including tactical reconnaissance, identification and surveillance of space objects, and space-based logistics.

The ARRE program is expected to start in May 2001 and run through April 2005. Development of the Advanced Reusable Rocket Engine and all its components will be conducted at Aerojet's Sacramento facility.

Boeing Delta IV Integrated Common Booster Core/RS-68 Engine Successfully Completes Test Program
Boeing has successfully completed a series of tests involving the integrated common booster core (CBC) and RS-68 engine for the Boeing Delta IV rocket.

The tests, conducted at NASA's Stennis Space Center, have greatly reduced the risk associated with the initial launches of the Delta IV.

Lasting approximately 303 seconds, the final test was conducted on May 6 and completed a Delta IV Heavy mission profile simulation for the rocket's first stage.

In addition to the CBC test on May 5 Boeing conducted the longest, continuous operation of the RS-68 engine to date. Sunday's test concluded a series of key tests in which Boeing officials confirmed all objectives of the CBC/RS-68 test program were successfully met.

The Delta team initiated a countdown and sequence of events leading up to the ignition of the Boeing Rocketdyne-built RS-68 engine. Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen fuel tanks were simultaneously chilled and fast filled, verifying procedures to be used at the launch sites. Pressure control, vent/relief valves and hydraulic system checks were also successfully conducted.

After all integrated systems were verified, the countdown continued and the RS-68 engine was ignited.

During the 303 seconds of full burn, the Delta team ran a series of commands similar to a Heavy payload flight profile. After successful engine shutdown, the quick-look data indicated that all test objectives were met.

At the adjacent B1B test stand at Stennis, Boeing engineers ran a successful test on a different RS-68 engine that lasted 425 seconds, achieving another milestone for the Delta IV program.

With these tests, and a 160-second RS-68 hot-fire test conducted at the US Air Force Research Laboratory in California on May 4, the RS-68 has accumulated 889 seconds of testing within a 48-hour period, and 12,680 seconds of total test time.

Successfully concluding the CBC/RS-68 test program, the Boeing Delta team will move forward with plans for a pathfinder mission to deliver the tested unit to Delta IV launch operations at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Florida.

The unit will be transported by the Delta Mariner, which can carry up to three integrated CBC units to CCAFS or Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) in California. Once at CCAFS, the unit will undergo a variety of integration exercises at the new Horizontal Integration Facility, which will be used to integrate the first and second stages of the Delta IV. When pathfinder exercises are complete at CCAFS, the unit will be transported to VAFB to run through similar integration exercises.

Boeing has four Delta IV launches planned for next year. The first launch in the first quarter; a US government launch (Defense Satellite Communication System) in the second quarter; a commercial launch (Estrela do Sul 1) in the third quarter, and another US government launch (USAF heavy demonstration) in the fourth quarter. Boeing also has eight planned Delta IV launches in 2003, the first two of which have been announced. They are a commercial launch (Pasifik Satelit Nusantara), and a US government launch (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program).

Launches

XM-1

Launched: 8 May 2001
Site: Sea Launch's Odyssey platform in the Pacific Ocean
Launcher: Zenit 3SL
Orbit: GEO, 85° W
International Number: 2001-018A
Name: XM-1 (Roll)
Owner: XM Satellite Radio
Contractor: Boeing Satellite Systems

XM-1 (Roll) is a digital radio broadcast satellite. The second satellite in the series, XM-2 (Rock) was launched on 18 March. A third satellite will be kept as a ground spare.

The satellite, based on the Boeing Satellite Systems 702 platform weighed 4682 kg at launch. It will generate 18 kW of electrical power at beginning of life. Each satellite carries a 13.3 kW digital audio radio payload built by Alcatel Space Industries of France. It features two active transponders, each with 16 active (and six spare) 228 W TWTAs generating approximately 3 kW of RF power. The satellite has two 5 m folding deployable S band transmit reflectors and one X band global receive antenna. When fully deployed, the solar wings span 40.39 m and the antennas to 14.2 m.

When operational, the satellites will transmit 100 channels of digital radio to the continental United States.

Business

Globalstar Looking at Bankruptcy
Financially challenged Globalstar, which is in the middle of a desperate attempt to stave off bankruptcy later this year has been offered a US$ 500 million rescue package led by Qualcomm, the price - bankruptcy.

Qualcomm's rescue plan was presented to Globalstar's service providers by the Blackstone Group, which has been retained by Globalstar to find a way out of the company's financial mess. In the plan Qualcomm, already a substantial investor in Globalstar as well as an equipment supplier and creditor, would provide US$ 250 million. Another group of investors would also put up an additional US$ 250 million. For the plan to work, Globalstar would have to wipe out its debts by filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of US bankruptcy laws, he very act Globalstar has been trying to avoid for several months.

At the end of last year, Globalstar had about US$ 200 million in cash remaining - enough to fund the operation of the network to the end of this year. To continue operation Globalstar suspended payments of interest and payments against its heavy debt burden to allow all of this money to be used for operations.

New Name for Datron/Transco
Datron/Transco Inc has changed its name to Datron Advanced Technologies Inc to better reflect the company's position as a leader in supplying advanced antenna systems.

Datron Advanced Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of Datron Systems Inc. Located in Simi Valley, Datron Advanced Technologies designs and supplies satellite tracking systems used for remote sensing, telemetry, tracking and command, and satellite communications for government and commercial applications; mobile broadband communication systems for airlines and military transports; and mobile land and marine direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television systems.

Products and Services

New UK Satellite Internet Service
Teles EuroService Limited has granted ABFL exclusive wholesale marketing rights in the UK for the German-based skyDSL satellite Internet service.

ABFL is currently recruiting up to 5 UK resellers for the service which is immediately available throughout the UK. It can deliver information from the Internet at speeds up to 8 Mb/s. UK Retail pricing (at typical usage levels up to 4 Mb/s) is expected to be below the current market rates for 0.5 Mb/s ADSL services.

The skyDSL satellite Internet service has been extensively market tested in Germany for nearly 2 years. Commercial services have also been launched in Italy and Switzerland.

SatCap Launches Exchange Platform
SatCap has launched an exchange platform for satellite and mobile capacity. Satellite capacity can be traded in short, medium and long term contracts. Posting of offers and requests can be done on either an anonymous or a non-anonymous basis.

SatCap is a global marketplace on the internet for trading satellite capacity. Satellite capacity traded at SatCap covers: satellite bandwidth (Short, Medium and Long Term) as well as Mobile Uplinks (Satellite News Gathering vehicles and Flyaways.) Using the internet, buyers and sellers can subscribe to the SatCap website and post their offers to sell and requests to buy on bulletin boards using a simple format. Other interested subscribers can then select a posted offer or request to review the details. After checking the details a bid can be submitted.

People

New Head at Atlantic Research Propulsion Operations
B Frank Rohrback has been named vice president and general manager, propulsion at Atlantic Research Corporation (ARC), a subsidiary of Sequa Corporation headquartered in Gainesville, Virginia, USA.

In his new position, Rohrback assumes full responsibility for the management and direction of the propulsion side of ARC operations - solid and liquid propulsion systems for missile and space applications and advanced composite materials.

Norsat Announces New President And Chief Executive Officer
Norsat International Inc has announced the appointment of Mr Mark Ahrens-Townsend to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Following the completion of the recently announced restructuring of Norsat, Mr Robert H Bucher has tendered his resignation as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Ahrens-Townsend joined Norsat International Inc as a result of the acquisition of SpectraWorks Inc, a developer of DVB Data Hubs. In April 2000 Ahrens-Townsend was appointed Vice President and General Manager of Norsat's Winnipeg operations.

Promotions at SS/Loral
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has promoted four marketing and sales executives to the position of vice president: Anthony J Colucci, Gregory A Harms, H William Weller, and Michael H Wooster.

Each executive is responsible for the marketing and sales of SS/L satellites in the following geographical areas or market segments: Mr Colucci, Asia and the Middle East; Mr Harms, Europe; Mr Weller, international markets and advanced systems; and Mr Wooster, meteorological and air traffic control.

Anthony J Colucci, 43, who joined the company in 1997, was previously SS/L s director of international marketing and sales for Asia-Pacific and Middle East.

Gregory A Harms, 44, joined SS/L in 1996, focusing on the marketing and sales of SS/L satellites in Southeast Asia.

H William Weller, 44, joined SS/L in 1982 and was most recently director of marketing and sales for the Americas.

Michael H Wooster, 47, was previously director of meteorological programs. He joined SS/L in 1995.

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