28 January 2001

Satcoms

In Demand Offers Video On Demand
In Demand LLC has signed an agreement with technology company Pathfire to transmit digitally compressed content to cable video-on-demand file servers utilising In Demand's satellite capacity and uplink facilities.

In Demand plans to begin satellite VOD transmission on a non-test basis to cable headends April 1.

The platform will utilise In Demand's existing network integrated with Pathfire's (formerly Video Networks Inc) pitch-and-catch server hardware and multicast software. The service will provide faster and more cost-effective delivery of VOD content, as well as more flexible programming options for cable customers.

PanAmSat Contract For Radyne Comstream
Radyne ComStream's wholly-owned subsidiary Armer Communications Engineering Services (ACES) has announced a US$ 4.4 million dollar contract with PanAmSat in support of the company's new customer service centre under construction in Ellenwood, Georgia.

In addition to furnishing the control room equipment for the centre, the ACES will also perform engineering, installation and training services.

The new PanAmSat 24-hour customer service centre will streamline several technical operations into one consolidated facility, which will be responsible for PanAmSat-provided service design, procurement, installation, implementation and long-term service monitoring and control. The new facility, scheduled for completion in mid-2001, will serve as the nerve centre of PanAmSat's customer service operations and the single point of contact for the company's network operations as well as more efficient, integrated customer service and support. Among the product mix in the CSC will be Radyne ComStream Block Downconverters (BDC). The BDC product line features high-quality, indoor rack mounted downconverters for applications requiring ultra high frequency stability.

Pathfire and PanAmSat Team for New Video Delivery Service
Pathfire (formerly Video Networks Inc), a leading business-to-business provider of digital media content distribution and management services as well as related e-commerce applications, and PanAmSat have formed a joint venture to introduce a new-satellite based international video delivery service that will improve how news, entertainment and feature programming is managed by broadcast, cable and other media companies worldwide.

The new service will combine PanAmSat's global satellite infrastructure with Pathfire's media management tools. The service will beam digital programming content in Internet protocol (IP) formatted files via satellite to broadcast, cable, media and entertainment companies around the world. This new automated approach offers an alternative to "live" or prescheduled satellite feeds by processing high volumes of media through Pathfire's Media Commerce Network.

The agreement will bring Pathfire's content management network to international broadcasters and will open up a wider area of distribution for syndicators and other content owners.

PanAmSat and Pathfire expect that the new service will enable them to capture a larger portion of the market for digital programming management, which is projected to grow from US$ 132.7 million in 1998 to more than US$ 2.6 billion by 2004.

By eliminating much of the line-up and co-ordination time, the service will provide a more efficient means of delivering television programming, video clips, advertisements and other media. In addition, it also will substantially reduce production and distribution costs.

PanAmSat's satellites and teleport services will provide the critical link between Pathfire and content users. Pathfire will deliver encoded content to PanAmSat's facilities in Ellenwood, Georgia, where it will be uplinked to a satellite-based IP multicasting platform. The information will then be beamed to numerous content users, downlinked by a small satellite dish for access by a satellite receiver and stored on a secure Pathfire receive-site server. Through adoption of IP technology to transmit the content and the use of its remote server management software, Pathfire can confirm receipt of the entire transmission, guaranteeing delivery.

Once customers receive the content, Pathfire's Digital Media Gateway content-on-demand system enables customers to manage, distribute and exchange digital media assets. Pathfire's revolutionary NewsTracker news distribution system, a component of the Digital Media Gateway, has dramatically changed news feed operations for NBC NewsChannel and all 215 NBC News affiliate stations nationwide. NewsTracker enables broadcasters to quickly and easily access and manage broadcast-quality digitised content. NewsTracker's Java-based interface allows news producers to browse through content and select broadcast-quality video clips and associated scripts right from their desktops.

Pathfire's Media Commerce Network is a common platform for digital content distribution and management, over which digitised audio and video content travels easily and efficiently to traditional and new media participants. An open architecture and the use of industry standards ease the integration of Pathfire's e-commerce software into diverse user environments. Sophisticated bandwidth utilisation and network management software enable Pathfire to provide the most efficient and cost-effective digital delivery mechanisms available for media content.

Satelindo Selects Scopus Digital Broadcasting Platform
Satelindo, Indonesia's largest satellite broadcaster, has selected Scopus' Codico product line as the basis for a new DTH (Direct To Home) system. The DTH system is deployed Indonesia and is transmitting throughout South East Asia.

The Scopus equipment is used with Satelindo satellites to transmit the new "Asia Channel" over the Asian Broadcasting Corporation's programming. The channel reaches tens of millions of homes throughout the country and the region. To meet client requirements, Scopus' DTH system is open ended and allows future integration with all the major control access systems. Scopus is contracting with Nortel on this project.

The corner stones of the DTH system are the Codico E-1000 Professional Encoder and the Codico RTM-3600 Statistical Multiplexer/Re-multiplexer. The E-1000 is a Professional Encoder supporting both MPEG-2 4:2:0P@ML and 4:2:2P@ML encoding levels. The E-1000, housed in a single unit rackmounted enclosure, uses an advanced video pre-processor to provide efficient bit rate and buffering control, and delivers flexible encoding capabilities and high quality pictures at any given bit rate. The Encoder operates either at constant bit-rate (CBR) or at variable bit-rate mode (VBR) to support Scopus' statistical multiplexing process. The RTM-3600 is an MPEG-2 DVB compliant Statistical Multiplexer / Re-multiplexer that provides cost-effective MPEG-2 DVB stream multiplexing and efficient re-multiplexing. It is capable of multiplexing up to 15 MPEG-2 transport streams, re-multiplexing video programs and has a statistical multiplexing mode. The Scopus system also includes an Network Management system, the NMS-4000, and series of IRDs, model IRD-2600.

Singtel Aeradio Selects Norsat DVB Data Hub
Norsat International Inc has signed an agreement with SingTel Aeradio Pte Ltd to supply a large, fully redundant SpectraWorks DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) Data Hub for its SingTel Satellite DVB-IP High Speed Integrated Service System.

Delivery and installation are scheduled for completion by the end of February 2001.

SingTel Aeradio Pte Ltd (SAPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the SingTel Group, is a leading IT service provider in Singapore.

Military Space

Space Laser Tests Continue to Provide Design Data
Data from a recent integrated ground test of the Alpha high-energy laser, its beam director telescope and the associated beam alignment and correction system have provided the team developing the Space-Based Laser Integrated Flight Experiment (SBL-IFX) with new information about how best to monitor and maintain the pointing of the SBL-IFX beam director on orbit.

The beam director is the part of the Air Force and Ballistic Missile Defense Organization's (BMDO) proposed experimental missile defence system that will project the high-energy laser beam across space and focus it on a distant boosting missile target.

Team SBL-IFX, a joint venture comprising Lockheed Martin, TRW and Boeing, conducted the six-second lasing test on December 8 at TRW's Capistrano Test Site near San Clemente, California. It was performed as part of the team's current US$ 240 million SBL-IFX development contract with the US Air Force.

This latest test involved generating a megawatt-class laser beam with the TRW-built Alpha, then feeding it through the Lockheed Martin-built beam control system and a 4 m diameter beam director telescope, both of which are housed in a special vacuum chamber that simulates the space environment.

The primary goal of the test was to determine if the telescope's metrology systems could maintain the pointing and proper alignment of its primary and secondary optics during a high-energy lasing event.

The telescope and beam alignment and correction system used during the test are both operated by Lockheed Martin. They were integrated with the Alpha laser in the early 1990s as part of the Alpha LAMP (Large Advanced Mirror Program) Integration program, one of several previous SBL technology demonstration programs.

A secondary goal of the test was to determine if laser characteristics such as power, beam uniformity and frequency spectrum would be adversely affected by the interaction of the laser beam with the optical systems used to correct, point and focus the beam on its target. Initial evaluation of the test data indicates that no such adverse interactions occurred.

Without these metrology systems the IFX laser beam could become distorted, which would degrade its strength or cause it to miss its target altogether.

The integrated Alpha/LAMP test is the latest in a series of technical risk reduction activities that Team SBL-IFX has undertaken since May 1999 to develop and mature the component technologies required to produce, integrate and perform a ground-based demonstration of a full-scale SBL-IFX integrated test unit before the end of the decade.

Plans call for the SBL-IFX, a satellite carrying a high-energy laser, to be launched in 2012, with an on-orbit demonstration of its defensive capabilities against a live, boosting target planned for 2013.

Team SBL-IFX comprises TRW Space & Electronics Group, Redondo Beach, California; Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space Operations, Sunnyvale, California; and Boeing Space & Communications Group, Seal Beach, California.

Turkey to Cancel Alcatel Satellite Contract
The Turkish embassy in Paris has announced that the Turkish government intends to cancel a spy satellite contract with Alcatel after the French parliament passed a genocide bill which recognised the massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in 1915.

The Turkish government is, officially, waiting to see if the legislation is ratified by French President Jacques Chirac before confirming sanctions.

Little information is available on the spy satellite but it appears that tenders for the project had recently been evaluated and the Turkish Defence Ministry was in pre-contract negotiations with Alcatel and had, reportedly, signed an preliminary contract.

The Turkish Ministry of Defence is now reported to be going to re-issue the tender with Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) likely to be the winner. In the original tender Alcatel offered a spy satellite for US$ 204 million and IAI offered an Ofek series satellite for US$ 270 million.

Launch Services

Boeing Combines Delta Rocket Programs
The Boeing Co.'s Delta II, Delta III and Delta IV rocket programs have been merged into a single organisation to be led by Dan Collins, formerly vice president of the EELV/Delta IV program.

In order to provide continuity of service to Delta II and Delta III customers, Jay Witzling has been appointed vice president and deputy program manager of the new organisation.

The move to combine the programs is in response to the earlier consolidation of Delta manufacturing into company facilities in Decatur, Alabama and Pueblo, Colorado.

China and Sweden Co-operate on Satellite Control
The Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General (CLTC) have signed a co-operation agreement to provide mutual ground station support in which each of the organisations can purchase services from the other.

CLTC manages China's launch facilities and it tracks and controls all China's domestic satellites through a control centre and a TT&C network. It has ground stations across China and one ground station on the South Tarawa Island, Kiribati. CLTC also manages mobile stations and ships for TT&C.

SSC's division for Satellite Operations provides support to operators of various types of satellites. SSC owns and operates control centres and ground stations in Sweden, and it owns 50% of Tromsoe Satellite Station in Norway. In an alliance with Universal Space Network, SSC operates a global network of ground stations, PrioraNet.

The new agreement enables CLTC to benefit from the services of SSC and its partner stations within the PrioraNet and SSC can take advantage of the Chinese ground stations for its own purpose or for customers.

ILS Protons to Launch Two Astra Satellites
Société Européenne des Satellites SA (SES) has contracted ILS to launch Astra 2C on a Proton booster in June 2001 and Astra 1K in December 2001.

ILS is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin of the United States and Khrunichev and RSC Energia of Russia, providing commercial Proton launch services from the Baikonour Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Astra 2C will be the twelfth spacecraft in the Astra series and the fourth to be co-positioned at SES' second orbital position of 28.2° E, alongside Astra 2A, 2B and 2D. A BSS 601 HP type satellite currently under construction with Boeing Space Systems of El Segundo, California, Astra 2C will feature up to 32 transponders in the frequency ranges 10.70 - 11.20 GHz and 11.70 - 12.20 GHz. The spacecraft has a design life of 15 years and will weigh 3,728 kilograms at launch.

Astra 1K, to be launched into 19.2° E, will be SES' second spacecraft featuring a combined Ku/Ka band payload, as well as the most powerful and versatile Astra craft so far. Under construction with Alcatel Space in Cannes, France, Astra 1K will also be the heaviest satellite ever built in Europe: 5,250 kilogram at lift-off. The spacecraft's three-fold mission consists of: full replacement capacity for Astra A, B, C and D bands; two-beam frequency reuse providing geographical expansion - one beam over the Iberian peninsula, the other over Continental Europe with extended coverage into Eastern Europe and the European part of the CIS; Ka-band return path capabilities with extended footprint into Eastern Europe and full back-up for the existing Ka-band payload on Astra 1H.

Inmarsat and L-3 Storm to Offer Satellite Control Services
L-3 Communications' Storm Control Systems (L-3 Storm) division and Inmarsat have signed an agreement to offer advanced technologies for the spacecraft control marketplace and to provide satellite services for operators world-wide.

The two companies will be marketing and commercially supplying the next-generation Inmarsat Storm Satellite Support System (I4S), which will provide completely automated satellite command and control capabilities for international communications satellites. The next-generation I4S builds on the current version of the product, which is used to provide automated operations for a number of satellite missions, including a multi-spacecraft constellation from Inmarsat.

The next-generation I4S will offer a full suite of software products for telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) as well as system automation features, including eclipse, sun/moon-blinding, ranging, and ground control operations. The system will feature a Java graphical user interface.

Kelly Space and Vought Aircraft Team for 2nd Generation RLV
Kelly Space & Technology Inc (Kelly Space) and Vought Aircraft Industries Inc have signed a teaming agreement and submitted proposals to develop, in co-operation with NASA, a 2nd Generation Reusable Space Launch Vehicle (RLV) System and associated technologies.

NASA's 2nd Generation RLV program, part of the agency's Space Launch Initiative, is designed to advance RLV system architectures and reduce commercial investment risk in support of a decision in 2005 by the Federal Government and commercial investors to proceed into full-scale development of new privately owned and operated RLV systems.

The team's submission, whose total potential value was not disclosed, includes proposals for RLV architecture systems engineering and several important technology risk reduction activities. Kelly Space will serve as the prime contractor and lead the architecture definition and systems engineering activities. Vought will lead development and advancement of key technology elements.

Under its proposals, the team will continue to refine its 2nd Generation RLV architectures and system designs that lead to production of a highly safe, far more reliable, commercially viable space transportation system whose launch service prices will significantly enhance development and expansion of current and prospective government and commercial uses of the space environment.

The Kelly Space horizontal takeoff, multiple-stage to orbit, piloted RLV concept uses the company's patented tow-launch technology, which uses a Boeing 747 aircraft and tow cable system to assist in ascent of the RLV system to its 20,000-foot airborne launch site. Horizontal takeoff and initiation of rocket-powered flight from an airborne location permits increased operational flexibility, facilitates greatly enhanced crew and passenger safety, significantly improves system reliability, and lowers the cost to government and commercial customers for launch of their crews, passengers and cargoes to and from earth. In addition to satellites and other cargoes, the Kelly Space RLV system is destined to carry astronauts and private citizens to and from space.

In 1998 Kelly Space demonstrated the tow-to-launch technology in a successful U.S. Air Force small business innovative research (SBIR) program, conducted with NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center and the Air Force Flight Test Center.

Airframe design and integration is the cornerstone of Vought's participation in the RLV program. Vought will leverage its extensive commercial airframes systems engineering expertise to translate requirements into structural design criteria. The scope of this effort includes developing the vehicle's computer-aided design, finite element and thermal models. It also includes airframe studies to ensure that system affordability, reliability, safety, operability and performance requirements are achieved.

Kelly Space & Technology has been working on reusable space vehicle concepts since being founded in 1993. In addition to the successful U.S. Air Force demonstration of its tow-to-launch technology, Kelly has developed and refined its RLV architectural concepts under its "Space Transportation Architecture Studies" program and the more recent "2nd Generation RLV System Engineering and Risk Reduction Definition" program, both performed under contract to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Kelly's teaming agreement with Vought for RLV airframe development marks the transition to an increasingly hardware-oriented development of the Kelly concept.

Launches

Progress

Launched: 24 January 2001
Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz U
Orbit: LEO, apogee: 313 km, perigee: 297 km
International Number: 2001-03A
Name: Progress M1-05 to Mir

This will be the last mission to the Mir space station. It carries 2,677 kg of fuel to be used to de-orbit the space station in a few weeks time on 6 March. The Progress cargo vessel docked with Mir on Saturday.

Business

Europe*Star Opens South Africa Office
Europe*Star, a joint venture between Alcatel Spacecom and Loral Space & Communications, has officially initiated service in southern Africa with the establishment of a regional office in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Europe*Star office is headed up by Roy Ingle, the company s regional director for Africa, who will oversee Europe*Star s activities throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland.

People

EMS Technologies Names Space and Technology Group VP
EMS Technologies Inc has announcing the appointment of Jay R Grove as vice president and general manager for EMS Space & Technology Group- Atlanta, effective January 15, 2001.

Grove will report to Dr. Gerald Bush, president - EMS Space and Technology Group. Grove will be responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the Atlanta space organisation, which designs and manufactures high-reliability advanced technology products for ferrite, microwave and antenna subsystem markets. The Group has 350 employees in Atlanta and features a best-in-class ferrite production facility.

NASA HQ Announces Personnel Changes
NASA has confirmed that Administrator Daniel S Goldin has agreed to remain in post until the new Bush Administration makes some final decisions about the direction of the space agency.

Several positions formerly held by political appointees have also been filed on a temporary basis:

• Steve Varholy, Acting Chief Financial Officer
• Mary Dee Kerwin, Acting Associate Administrator for Legislative Affairs
• Paula Cleggett, Acting Associate Administrator for Public Affairs
• Beth McCormick, Acting Associate Administrator for Policy and Plans

In addition, Courtney Stadd will serve as NASA's Chief of Staff and White House Liaison.

Pace Micro Technology Reveals New Board and Executive Structure
Pace Micro Technology has announced changes to its Board and Executive team, to support a company reorganisation that will focus in the business in the areas of home gateways, network development and software solutions, home networking and new telecommunications technology.

Tim Fern, currently Director of Engineering, is appointed to the Board as chief technology officer. In his new role, Fern continues his responsibility for R&D, focusing on Pace's core home gateway technologies of satellite, cable, terrestrial, DSL and wireless broadcast platforms. In addition, he will develop Pace's business for 'value added' engineering services in customer network development and engineering services.

Andy Trott, currently director of technology and strategic development, will become the divisional CEO of a newly formed division for home networking and Internet appliance technologies. He will develop the opportunities for networked home technology and services, where the Pace technology is the gateway for interactive communication in the home, enabling consumer devices and services to interact with each other and the outside world.

Vegastream, a specialist in voice over Internet protocol technology acquired by Pace in 2000, will also play an important role in the reorganisation. Vegastream, led by chief executive officer Mike Hafferty, will continue to develop its business in 'new telecommunications' through their range of Vega gateways for the business-to-business market.

In a further change to the Executive Team, Neil Gaydon, currently president of Pace Americas, is promoted to director of worldwide sales, replacing Paul Ashmore who is leaving the company. Gaydon will retain his focus on the development of Pace's business in the US, in addition to his new responsibilities for sales teams in Europe and the Far East.

Further Board changes involve Kurt Risdon and Rob Fleming. Risdon, materials director in charge of manufacturing and the supply chain, will retire from the board and his successor will be announced shortly. Fleming, operations director, will be retiring from his executive role but will remain on the board as a non-executive director. Both changes will take effect at the end of May 2001.

Powell Appointed to Head FCC
As expected, President Bush has named Federal Communications Commission member Michael K Powell as the agency's new Republican chairman.

Powell, is a lawyer and the son of Secretary of State Colin Powell. He will head up the Commission which is controlled by two Republican and two Democrat commissioners. A third Republican commissioner will be appointed shortly to give Powell a GOP majority to pass his agenda.

Powell was appointed as an FCC commissioner by President Clinton in 1997 and his current term expires in June 2002.

Tandberg Television Expands Senior Management Team
Tandberg Television, a leading supplier of open digital broadcasting solutions, has appointed Peter Blampied as General Manager of the European, Middle Eastern and African (EMEA) market.

Peter Blampied will be based at Tandberg Television's UK office at Strategic Park, Southampton and will be responsible for the company's team of sales, marketing and technical support professionals across the region.

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