25 February 2001

Satcoms

EDD Wins Several New Contracts
Boeing Electron Dynamic Devices Inc (EDD) of Torrance, California, has recently won several new contracts worth a total of more than US$ 34 million.

Under the contracts, EDD provides travelling wave tube amplifiers (TWTA) and electronic power conditioners (EPC) to Alcatel Space Industries of Toulouse, France, and to Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto, California.

EDD was awarded a contract to provide 164 TWTAs and EPCs to Alcatel Space Industries and an additional 16 more TWTAs under a contract option. The TWTAs and EPCs will power four, next-generation communications satellites for GE International. This is EDD's first business with Alcatel in nearly two years.

EDD also won three contracts from Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for TWTAs. The three programs are Sirius Satellite Radio Flight Set 6, EchoStar-9 and Satmex-6. According to Ballhaus, these awards closely follow the successful completion of several sets of flight hardware that EDD has recently produced for Loral.

HP and TeltecGlobal to Establish Internet-enabled Business and Community Centres in Developing Nations
Hewlett-Packard Company and TeltecGlobal Inc, have formed a three-year strategic co-operation agreement to develop Internet-enabled business and community centres in urban and rural communities in developing nations.

The agreement is part of HP's World e-inclusion business initiative to broaden developing countries' access to the social and economic opportunities of the digital age.

The agreement also will include the application of LINCOS (Little Intelligent Communities) units to connect the centres to educational, health and commercial services in underserved communities.

Housed in recycled shipping containers, LINCOS telecenters are satellite-operated and solar power-enabled and will offer modern IT equipment with high-speed Internet connections that can operate independently of traditional infrastructure.

HP and TTG are planning initial joint projects in the Philippines, Tanzania, Vietnam, Russia, Brazil, Kenya, Uganda and Togo. Other existing HP partners and customers are expected to participate.

Radyne Comstream Reports New Orders
In its latest financial report, Radyne Comstream has announced several new orders received during the last quarter of 2000.

Significant contracts received and milestones achieved in the fourth quarter include:

• US$ 4.0 million order with PanAmSat for engineering installation and training in support of new customer service centre
• US$ 1.6 million order with Elektra for dual uplink digital audio satellite network in Mexico
• US$ 0.5 million order for block down converters to support PanAmSat program
• US$ 0.5 million order from PT Aditech Matra for SCPC satellite modems for Indonesia
• US$ 0.5 million order from BellSouth for high speed DVB modulators
• US$ 0.4 million order from VSNL
• Additional orders from Comsat Venezuela for VSAT terminals totalling almost US$ 2 million for the year.

Earth Observation

Italy to Supply DesertSat Minisatellite to Egypt
Egypt and Italy have signed an agreement for an Earth resources satellite which is to protect Egypt's desert environment and cultural heritage.

The agreement was negotiated between the Italian Space Agency and the Egyptian National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences and was signed during Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's recent visit to Rome.

The satellite, to be named DesertSat, will monitor Egypt's agricultural and water resources, its cultural heritage, the erosion of Mediterranean coasts, and the progress of the Sahara desert into the Nile Delta.

A schedule has not been announced, though it is known that the project will be carried out in four phases: training of Egyptian experts, designing the satellite, production of the satellite and launch. The project may also include to construction of an earth station for the reception and processing satellite images.

DesertSat will be based on the Microsatellite Italiano di Technologia Avanzata (MITA) platform, which weighs approximately 50 kg and can carry payloads of between 100 and 300 kg. The cost for the platform is reported to be about 5 million Euros.

Science

EMS Technologies to Build MAESTRO Instrument for Scisat-1
EMS Technologies of Ottawa has been awarded a contract worth Cdn$ 2.2 million to build the MAESTRO instrument (Measurements of Aerosol Extinction in the Stratosphere and Troposphere Retrieved by Occultation) that will be deployed on the Canadian Space Agency's SCISAT-1 satellite to help increase the understanding of the depletion of the ozone layer.

The scientific goal of the SCISAT-1/ACE (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment) mission is to measure and understand the chemical processes that control the distribution of ozone in the Earth's atmosphere, particularly at high latitudes. The data, recorded as SCISAT-1 orbits the Earth, will provide Canadian scientists with improved measurements relating to global ozone processes and help policy makers assess existing environmental policy and develop protective measures for improving the health of our atmosphere and prevent further ozone depletion.

The MAESTRO instrument joins another Canadian instrument, the Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS), designed and built by ABB Bomem. Both instruments are designed to gather information on the chemical processes occurring in the ozone layer, approximately 8 km to 50 km above the Earth's surface.

Technology

Canadian Space Agency Awards Development Contracts
The Canadian Space Agency has awarded 49 contracts worth a total of Cdn$ 12 million to Canada's space industry.

The contracts flow from two programs managed by the Canadian Space Agency in fulfilment of the Canadian Space Plan, approved by the government in 1999.

Through the Earth Observation Applications Development Program (EOADP), the Canadian Space Agency is strengthening partnerships with Canadian businesses well-suited to capitalise on space-based Earth observation technologies.

The Space Technology Development Program (STDP) is supporting Canada's leadership in the development of innovative and emerging technologies and applications that will strengthen the competitiveness of the Canadian space industry, and position it to meet current and future needs of the Canadian Space Program.

Among the companies benefiting from these awards is Com Dev Space, which has bee awarded four contracts with a total value of Cdn$ 1.4 million.

In the first contract, Com Dev will develop Ka band dielectric microwave filters that are smaller and lighter than anything currently available. A second contract will assist Com Dev in developing Solid State switch matrices that will extend frequency range as well as deploy optimal technologies to reduce size, mass and cost. Com Dev will also participate in the second phase of development of MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) RF switches along with its two subcontractors. In the fourth contract, Com Dev Space's Battery group will receive assistance to continue developing space qualified small cell lithium-ion batteries.

Com Dev to Supply High Power Coax Switches
Com Dev Space, one of Com Dev's two major operating divisions, has received an Authority to Proceed (ATP) on a multi-program supply agreement with a major European space contractor to supply high power coaxial switches.

The first order received under the agreement is valued at US$ 2.8 million. Further orders are expected to follow as the customer wins additional business.

Com Dev Space manufactures advanced products that are sold to the major satellite prime contractors for use in commercial communications and earth science satellites. Com Dev is the world's largest producer of satellite switches for space.

Launch Services

ATK Delivers First Flight Composite Structure for Atlas V
ATK Aerospace Composite Structures Company has delivered the first flight composite structure for the Atlas V family of space launch vehicles to Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver, Colorado.

The composite heat shield, which was produced at ATK's Utah Composites Center in Clearfield, will be integrated into the first Atlas V launch vehicle at Lockheed Martin's Waterton Canyon facility just outside of Denver. The heat shield, which measures 3 m in diameter, mounts to the aft transition structure and surrounds the RD-180 engine at the aft end of the Atlas V vehicle.

ATK Aerospace Composite Structures Company was selected by Lockheed Martin in 2000 to produce three separate structures for the Atlas V, which is designed to meet the US Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) requirements.

In addition to heat shields, ATK is fabricating composite Centaur interstage adapters (CISAs) and boattails for the Atlas V. Qualification units of those structures were shipped to Lockheed Martin in December 2000, with the first flight units scheduled for delivery in February 2002.

BAe Systems to Supply Upper-Stage Remote Control for Atlas V Launch Vehicle
BAe Systems Controls has been selected to develop and produce Upper-Stage Remote Control Units for the Lockheed Martin Atlas V launch vehicle.

Award of the URCU contract, valued at about US$ 20 million through 2006, builds on an already significant Controls presence on Lockheed Martin's newest launcher.

The URCU regulates power distribution for vehicle avionics and performs engine control functions for the rocket's upper stage - the part of the launch vehicle responsible for deploying satellites and other payloads.

URCU development is expected to take two years. The current contract calls for production of four engineering development units and 14 production units starting in 2003.

In 1999, Controls received a contract for the Atlas V's Booster Remote Control Unit, deliveries of which began in May 2000. The company also is building the vehicle's Ordnance Remote Control Assembly, production deliveries of which will begin this year, and is developing its Redundant-Rate Gyro Unit.

Integral Systems to Relocate NOAA's Ops Centre
Integral Systems Inc has been awarded a firm-fixed-price contract to relocate the satellite command and control facilities at NOAA in Suitland, Maryland.

The contract was awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA) as part of their asbestos abatement program at the Suitland Federal Center, Federal Building #4.

The contract calls for Integral Systems to relocate the control centres for three operational satellite systems

• the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)
• the Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite (POES)
• the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP).

This transition of control facilities has to be accomplished without interruption to the seven-day - twenty four hours per day operations of these systems.

Launches

Odin

Launched: 20 February 2001
Site: Svobodny Cosmodrome, Russia
Launcher: Start 1
Orbit: LEO (sun synchronous), apogee: 605 km, perigee: 605 km: inclination: 97.83°
International Number: 2001-007A
Name: Odin
Owner: Swedish Space Corporation
Contractor: Swedish Space Corporation

Odin is a Swedish scientific satellite which carries a submillimeter wave astronomy instrument and a radiometer for atmospheric studies.

The 250 kg spacecraft has an operational lifetime of at least two years.

The astronomical objective of the mission is to study the physics and the chemistry of interstellar space by searching for water and oxygen molecules. These molecules are crucial clues for improving our understanding of comets, giant molecular clouds and nearby dark clouds, the deep atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn and the formation of stars in nearby galaxies.

Business

Norsat Sticks With Broadband Despite Financial Problems
Norsat International Inc has announced changes to its operations in response to delays in satellite broadband network deployments, primarily the Ka band programs in Europe and a broadband network in China.

Norsat is to consolidate its operations to Burnaby and Winnipeg and to reduce its overall workforce by approximately 30%, or 50 positions. This is expected to result in a restructuring charge, currently estimated at approximately Cdn$ 2.0 million. The staff reductions include streamlining global sales and marketing under Lindsay Ryerson, an existing Norsat Vice President, who will assume responsibility for all Norsat's broadband components and systems business. Gordon Deans, Vice President Norsat Broadband Networks and Percy Rivera, President Norsat Atlanta, will be leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.

In spite of these reductions, Norsat will continue to pursue existing and new satellite broadband projects as deployments are announced. Norsat will continue to sell and deliver its microwave components to the VSAT market.

Norsat's strategy remains focused on satellite broadband and has retained its key personnel involved in its Ka band terminals and DVB Data Hub development programs.

As Norsat has not found a buyer for its Norsat America Inc distribution business and in an effort to further reduce operating costs, Norsat is finalising the sale of Norsat America's assets. This process will be substantially complete by the end of February 2001.

PCCW Buys Satellite Business from Hutchison
Pacific Century CyberWorks (PCCW) has acquired a satellite communications business from Hutchison Whampoa Ltd for US$ 103 million in stock.

PCCW has bought Hutchison Telecommunications Technology Investments which includes satellite company Hutchison Corporate Access (HCA).

HCA has a staff of 70 and does not provide any domestic telecoms services within Hong Kong. Hong Kong's telecoms regulator and its stock exchange have approved the deal.

PCCW is to pay for the acquisition with newly issued shares.

HCA provides VSAT services to corporate customers in more than 40 countries and had revenue in the year 2000 of approximately US$ 39.5 million with an after-tax profit of US$ 1.79 million.

Tadiran Scopus Changes Name
Tadiran Scopus is officially changing its name to Scopus Network Technologies.

The new name is intended to reflect the expansion of its business activities as it is broadens its MPEG-2 DVB offerings to the broadcast world. Scopus Network Technologies is evolving to serve the growing needs for digital delivery over broadband networks.

Scopus Network Technologies also reports that it has completed a first round of private financing raising US$ 17.4 million to support the development of existing and new business efforts. Leading Scopus' private funding round was Polaris Venture Capital with a US$ 8 million investment and Vertex Israel with an additional US$ 3.2 million. Other investors included Dr Yossi Vardi, Sadot Fund, Formula Ventures, SFK and Catalyst.

Scopus, a leading supplier of digital compression technology to the broadcast industry, will use the funding to further expand and leverage its Codico platforms for the development of professional end-to-end solutions for MPEG-2 , DVB digital TV delivery over broadcast networks and future interactive broadband systems. The funding will also allow Scopus enhancing its marketing and sales network worldwide.

People

David Braunstein to Lead Business Development Efforts for SAT Corporation
Integral Systems Inc has announced the appointment of David Braunstein to the position of Executive Vice President at its wholly owned subsidiary SAT Corporation (SAT).

Braunstein will be tasked growing SAT's business and merging the product and marketing resources of SAT with those at Integral Systems.

SAT provides satellite and terrestrial monitoring systems to satellite operators and users throughout the world.

New General Manager at Comsat Brasil
Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications (LMGT) has named Nilson X Soares as general manager for its Brazilian subsidiary, Comsat Brasil.

Soares, will focus on merging Comsat Brasil's expanding portfolio of network integration, security and value-added Infocom services with its heritage of providing premier telecommunications services and applications for Brazilian businesses.

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