26 August 2001

Satcoms

Calian's SED Wins Thrane & Thrane Inmarsat Contract
Calian's Systems Engineering Division (SED) has been awarded a US$ 14.5 million contract by Thrane & Thrane. Under the terms of the five-year contract, Calian's Systems Engineering Division will provide the Radio Frequency Subsystem (RFS) and the Global Resource Management (GRM) Subsystem, key components of the Radio Access Network to be provided by Thrane & Thrane to Inmarsat Ltd. for its Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) satellite system.

The RFS provides the transmission and reception of RF signals between the ground-based Satellite Access System and the new Inmarsat 4 satellites. Each of the four RF subsystems comprises a 13 m antenna, RF equipment, power calibration equipment, and a monitor and control system. On-site installations of the first two RFS will be completed in 2002 with the remaining two systems being installed by the end of 2003.

The Global Resource Management (GRM) subsystem is a software management tool operating on redundant Linux computer platforms. Based on the global frequency plan for each ocean region, the GRM dynamically allocates channels to the earth stations in that region. On site installations of the four systems will begin in 2002 and be completed by July 2003.

Inmarsat's BGAN satellite system is expected to provide near global coverage of high-speed packet data and circuit switched telecommunications network services over its fourth generation satellite system to the world's landmasses. The network is intended to complement fixed terrestrial and cellular mobile networks while also enabling Inmarsat to expand its customer base within the maritime, aeronautical and land mobile sectors served by its existing second and third generation satellite systems.

From the user perspective, the BGAN system will offer services to and from a range of fixed and portable Inmarsat satellite terminals. Initial services are expected to include standard services such as voice and high-speed packet services such as email, Internet and LAN access at transmission rates up to 432 kb/s.

China Telecom Upgrades with Tandberg TV Equipment
Tandberg Television, together with long-term business partner NDT, will supply state-of-the-art digital broadcasting
equipment to China Telecom to upgrade its satellite contribution and distribution system.

China Telecom maintains a satellite network with three major hubs in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and offers satellite uplink services to broadcasters. The system will use Tandberg Television equipment to allow television broadcasters such as CCTV and INC to distribute video and data throughout the country via satellite.

Tandberg Television will supply a solution including its latest high-end evolution 5000 series of encoders, along with the newly-launched SM5600 QPSK/8PSK/16QAM modulator with an optional Prekor system, which can double satellite capacity through higher order modulation while significantly reducing receiver dish size requirements. Prekor allows the transmission of much larger amounts of broadcast distribution and contribution material through existing satellite transponders whilst giving a large increase in total link reliability and significant reduction in required receiver dish size. The overall solution will also include high-end professional receivers with ATM interfaces.

Deutsche Telekom to Introduce T-DSL via Satellite
Deutsche Telekom AG and SES Multimedia have signed an agreement for the development and implementation of T-DSL via satellite. This service will complete Deutsche Telekom's broadband offering.

Complementing the terrestrial T-DSL offer of Deutsche Telekom, T-DSL via satellite will provide services to customers who, for technical reasons, have so far been unable to get T-DSL.

The new T-DSL via satellite service will offer true broadband connections to the Internet. Users of conventional modem connections and subscribers to T-ISDN or T-Net will, using an Astra dish equipped with an additional LNB and a DVB-compatible PC-Card, enjoy DSL download speeds of up to 768 kbit/s. They will also be able to access new planned consumers services such as multicast and personalised online access.

Teledesic Prepares to Place Satellite Contract
Teledesic has selected satellite manufacturers Alenia Spazio and Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems as the two finalists to build its global, broadband Internet-in-the-Sky satellite communications network.

Teledesic intends to select one prime contractor and finalise its contract this autumn.

Teledesic has been engaged in active discussions with potential domestic and international industrial partners to determine the best, most cost-effective path forward for its broadband satellite communications network. The company has received its Federal Communications Commission license and the necessary international spectrum allocation from the International Telecommunication Union to begin offering service on a global basis.

Both Alenia Spazio and Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) have experience building non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite systems. This experience, together with their existing manufacturing, integration and testing facilities and processes will reduce risk in developing and deploying a NGSO system under tight deadlines.

In addition, these prior programs enable the use of cost-effective satellite manufacturing techniques and capitalise on prior supplier relationships for manufacturing low-cost NGSO systems.

Alenia Spazio was responsible for integration and testing on the Globalstar program. It built a factory for this purpose in Rome that can be readily used for manufacturing Teledesic's satellites. Alenia Spazio has developed extensive testing procedures and processes that enable the company to build satellites in a short time period. Alenia Spazio also was the first satellite manufacturer to build commercial geostationary Ka band satellites.

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems was the supplier of the Iridium satellite bus. LMCSS has experience in building low-cost buses for NGSO systems as well as extensive experience developing Ka band system payloads.

Earth Observation

NASA Awards Contracts For New Remote Sensing Instrument Technology
NASA has awarded funding for 11 new contracts for technology development of innovative Earth Science remote-sensing instruments under its Instrument Incubator Program (IIP).

The objective of the program is to invest in new and innovative technologies that could lead to smaller, less expensive and more efficient flight instruments.

The technologies selected include active and passive techniques for measuring global carbon dioxide, the build-up of which may be a contributor to the global increase in the greenhouse effect. Also selected are instrument technologies for microwave radiometry and advanced radars to measure global precipitation, soil moisture and sea surface salinity, leading to a more accurate understanding of climate change.

In addition, investments will be made in instrument technologies for the measurement of far-infrared thermal radiation, an emerging science area not previously explored, with the potential to better understand the Earth's radiation balance.

Instrument technologies leading to the potential measurement of tropospheric ozone and other gases from space will be advanced by investments in Fabry-Perot interferometer technologies. Magnetometer technologies can provide a means to study the structure and dynamics of the Earth's interior, leading to better utilisation of natural resources including water and land use and the mitigation of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding, sea level change, and severe storms.

NASA received 64 proposals for technology development efforts and was able to select 11 for funding. The total funds made available for these investigations averages nearly US$ 1 million per year for three years or a total of approximately US$ 29.5 million.

NASA to End Ozone Satellite Mission
NASA is to close down its Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite at the end of September, after ten years in orbit, because it does not have the US$ 10 million per year available to continue operations.

The six and a half tonne satellite was deployed by the Shuttle Discovery and will be either retrieved from orbit by another Shuttle mission or will be allowed to burn up in the atmosphere between 2016 and 2027. Although the satellite was originally designed to operate for three years, seven of its ten instruments are still operational. It will be replaced in 2003 by the Aura satellite. The Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite provides information about the upper atmosphere and is best known for monitoring holes in the ozone layer.

Military Space

Merrimac Receives SBIRS High Component Contract
Merrimac Industries Inc is to provide a variety of products, such as power dividers, couplers, vector modulators, and bi-phase modulators for the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) High constellation to the program's prime contractor Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. Lockheed Martin has released orders for the contract, initially valued at US$ 600,000.

Merrimac is positioned to receive additional SBIRS Program orders and projects that this and possible future orders could be up to US$ 1.2 million.

Lockheed Martin leads a team that is designing the next generation space- based early warning system to provide early detection of missile launches worldwide. SBIRS replaces the 25-year old Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites and ground station. The SBIRS High component is designed to detect and track both strategic and tactical launched ballistic missiles. SBIRS data supports the technical intelligence community, helps characterise the battlefield and provides reliable, timely information to combat forces and decision makers. SBIRS is a part of an integrated "system of systems" that enables the Air Force to achieve Air and Space Superiority and Precision Engagement to dominate air and space. It includes multiple space constellations and an evolving ground element.

Science

China's Shenzhou-2 Lands Safely
260 days after its launch on the 9th of January from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu Province, China, Shenzhou's Orbital Module has completed its mission and has returned to Earth.

The craft landed in the south east Pacific Ocean at after completing 3460 orbits at an altitude of about 320 km.

Shenzhou 2 was the second unmanned test flight of China's Shenzhou spacecraft which is reported to be able to carry 3 or 4 people. The spacecraft consisted of an orbital module, a re-entry module, an attached segment and booster rockets and is believed to be derived from the Russian Soyuz manned spacecraft.

During the flight, experiments on space life sciences, space materials, astronomy and physics were conducted. Shenzhou 2 carried 64 scientific payloads onboard: 15 inside the re-entry module, 12 inside the orbital module and 37 on the attached segment. Payloads included micro-gravity experimental devices such as a crystal growing device, life science experimental devices covering 19 species of animals and plants, space radiation and particle detectors and other scientific equipment.

Shenzhou 1's test flight, in November 1999, had a duration of 21 hours (14 orbits).

SpaceDev to Participate in Boeing Mars Vehicle Study
SpaceDev been awarded a subcontract by Boeing Space & Communications to participate in the Mars Ascent Vehicle Concept Study for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

Boeing Space & Communications was awarded one of three contracts from JPL to develop concepts for a small rocket that will lift science samples gathered by NASA's Mars Sample Return mission and support their return to Earth. SpaceDev is one of two companies selected by Boeing Space & Communications to participate in the Concept Study.

SpaceDev will contribute its experience in hybrid rocket motors to the Boeing study.

Technology

Cree Tests GaN Microwave Devices on ISS
Cree Inc's gallium nitride (GaN) High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) microwave devices and GaN HEMT epiwafer materials have been successfully installed aboard the International Space Station after being launched into space by the Space Shuttle Discovery.

The GaN HEMT transistors and material are being evaluated to determine their radiation hardness over existing semiconductor materials for future satellite applications. The materials and devices were incorporated into the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) for the purpose of determining how various materials endure the environment of space.

The Space Shuttle Discovery delivered the MISSE to the International Space Station after it was launched on August 10. The experiment was mounted onto the outside of the space station's airlock during the first spacewalk of the mission on August 16. After long-term exposure to space conditions, the MISSE will be retrieved and returned to earth on a future shuttle mission for test and evaluation.

Launch Services

Brazil Prepares to Reject Launch Treaty
Brazilian legislator Waldor Pires has recommended that Brazil's Congress should reject a treaty that would allow the US launches from Brazil's Alcantara launch site.

Pires is recommending that the treaty is rejected because, he says, it shows "contempt" for Brazilian sovereignty.

His criticisms include:

• the USA will have the right to guard areas of the base where US equipment is being used;
• Brazilian customs would not be allowed to inspect US equipment shipments to Alcantara;
• money from US launches cannot be used to fund development of a Brazilian launcher.

Over the next few days the treaty will be debated in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Brazilian Congress, following which Congress will vote to reject or accept the treaty which was signed in April last year.

Delta II Launch for ESSP 3/Cloudsat
NASA is exercising a contract option with Boeing for a Delta II vehicle to launch the ESSP 3/CloudSat mission. The spacecraft are planned for launch on April 30, 2004.

This firm-fixed price option is covered under the NASA Med-Lite contract awarded to Boeing in 1996. NASA's total launch services budget for the ESSP 3/CloudSat mission is valued at approximately US$ 60 million.

ESSP-3 (formerly Picasso-CENA), the third mission of the NASA Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) program, will carry three instruments to study clouds and chemicals in the Earth's atmosphere. The ESSP-3 satellite will fly in formation with the Aqua spacecraft to provide a comprehensive global dataset which will greatly improve scientists ability to predict future climate change.

ESSP-3 is a collaboration between NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC); CNES, the French space agency; Hampton University; the Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL) and Ball Aerospace Corp.

CloudSat's trio of satellites will be the first spacecraft to study clouds on a global basis, contributing to better predictions of clouds and their role in climate change. The CloudSat mission is a partnership between Colorado State University; NASA; the Jet Propulsion Laboratory; the Canadian Space Agency, Saint-Hubert; the US Air Force; the US Department of Energy and Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

Launches

Progress M-45

Launched: 21 August 2001
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz U
Orbit: LEO, apogee: km, perigee: km: inclination: °
International Number: 2001-036A
Name: Progress M-45 (ISS flight 5P)
Owner: Russian Space Agency

This is an unmanned supply mission for the International Space Station.

Proton

Launched: 24 August 2001
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Proton
International Number: 2001-037A
Name: classified payload

This Proton launch successfully placed a classified military satellite into orbit. No further information available.

Business

Boeing Plans Major Expansion for Satellite Factory
Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS) is expanding and remodelling its one-million-square-foot satellite factory to accommodate new business and the transfer of satellite manufacturing from other parts of Boeing. Within the existing factory, one-third of the one hundred thousand square foot high bay space for satellite integration and test will be expanded.

BSS, with a current satellite backlog valued at about US$ 4.8 billion, has more than 38 satellites on-order and plans to add the manufacturing of 12 Block IIF Global Positioning Satellites (GPS), currently under contract to Boeing Space & Communications' Seal Beach facility. The schedule calls for manufacturing of the first satellite to begin in late 2002, with the contract running through 2008.

In addition to the integration and test space, the expansion includes a containerisation facility and an acoustic test facility.

Thrane and Thrane to Acquire Nera's Satellite Operation
Nera ASA and Danish company Thrane & Thrane have entered into an agreement to merge its satellite communications interests into one company.

Thrane & Thrane will acquires Nera's satellite communications division - Nera SatCom AS and Nera WBA Satellite AS. Nera receives shares in Thrane & Thrane as payment, corresponding to a 40% ownership in the combined company, in addition to a cash settlement of DKK 235 million.

The agreement is subject to approval from Nera's corporate assembly as well as Norwegian authorities and Thrane & Thrane's general meeting. The agreement is also subject to mutual satisfactory due-diligence.

The merged company will have a turnover of about NOK 1,2 billion, and 580 employees of which 255 are in R&D.

In connection with the transaction a shareholder agreement has been made between the largest shareholders of Thrane & Thrane, Lars Thrane and Per Thrane, and Nera ASA on board selections and ownership reductions. In accordance with the shareholder agreement Nera is committed to reduce its ownership interests in the company to the combined level of Lars Thrane and Per Thrane (31%) under satisfactory market conditions.

People

David Smith Joins Spectrum Astro Business Development Team
Spectrum Astro has announced that David B Smith has joined the company as its new Program Development Specialist responsible for the company's business development activities associated with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Mr Smith will be based in Spectrum Astro's Manhattan Beach, California office and in the company's impending office in Pasadena, California.

Mr Smith's aerospace career began in 1962 as an engineer in the development of the Saturn V rocket, and includes 30 years of service at JPL where he retired as a Principle Engineer on the Mars Program. He spent one year at SpaceDev as the Vice President of Engineering and Chief Technical Officer. Mr Smith's experience at JPL included developing the early architectures for the Mars Exploration Program, leading the JPL reengineering effort, and creating and developing the Team X concept under the Managed Advanced Concepts office. He also performed planetary mission design, navigation, and hardware development for the Galileo, Voyager, Viking, and Magellan missions. He also was the System Engineering Manager for the SIR-C Missions: STS 59 & 68.

KVH Industries Appoints New Chief Operating Officer
KVH Industries has hired S Joseph Bookataub as the company's new Chief Operating Officer.

Mr Bookataub brings extensive experience in the areas of lean manufacturing, ISO procedures and certification, and supply chain management, as well as procurement and quality assurance.

Most recently, Mr Bookataub was vice president of manufacturing for Mayan Networks, an optical networking firm based in San Jose, California. Mr. Bookataub holds a BSEE from the University of Rhode Island, an MBA from James Madison University, and completed the Stanford Executive MBA program.

Norsat Announces New Executive Team
Norsat International Inc has announced the appointment of the senior executive team under Mark Ahrens-Townsend, President and CEO. The new executive team resulted from an in-depth review of the organisational structure and was undertaken to align and consolidate functions across the Company.

The new team combines the knowledge of existing key executives, Michael Heaven, Lindsay Ryerson, and Sharon Batchelor, with new individuals filling critical roles:

Walter Buller, Chief Financial Officer: Prior to joining Norsat, Mr Buller was Chief Financial Officer with a global technology-based public company. At Norsat, Mr Buller is responsible for the Company's Corporate Services Division, which includes the finance, accounting, administration, and MIS departments.

Michael Heaven, Chief Operating Officer: Mr Heaven joined Norsat in October 2000 from Honeywell Inc, where he spent 15 years, most recently as Vice President and General Manager of Operations for its Vancouver manufacturing facility. Mr Heaven is responsible for product development and delivery operations across Norsat.

Ian McEachern, Chief Technology Officer: Mr McEachern joined Norsat in April 2000 after SpectraWorks Inc was acquired. Mr McEachern is responsible for the system architecture and is the proponent for Norsat's open standards two-way system product offering.

Lindsay Ryerson, Vice President, Sales and Network Engineering: Mr Ryerson initially joined Norsat in 1991 and rejoined the Company in February 2000. Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Ryerson spent six years as Vice President and General Manager of Aurora Distributing, a division of Norsat, one that he grew from start-up to becoming the largest satellite products distribution company in Canada with yearly revenue of over $30 million. At Norsat, he is responsible for new business development and worldwide field operations including sales, network engineering, systems integration, and customer support.

Frank Franczyk, Vice President, Product Marketing: Mr Franczyk joined Norsat in April 2000 after SpectraWorks Inc was acquired. At Norsat, Mr Franczyk is responsible for setting the marketing direction of the Company.

Marieke Wijtkamp, Director, Corporate Branding: Ms Wijtkamp joined Norsat in July 2001 after working as Vice President of Marketing and Communications with a small, global technology-based company. At Norsat, Ms Wijtkamp is responsible for developing branding and communication strategies that integrate with the Company's business objectives.

Sharon Batchelor, Director, Human Resources: Ms Batchelor joined Norsat in January 2000. She is responsible for employee relations and communications, benefits, professional development, and staffing.

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