20 January 2002
Satcoms
BAIIT to Build Video, Data and Voice Network in China Using ViaSat
VSAT Network
LinCsat and HNS to Offer Canadian 2-way Satellite Broadband
Service
Science
No Funds for FAME Science satellite
Launch
Services
Globecomm Wins
Hong Kong TT&C Contract
Intelsat Chooses Launchers for Tenth Generation
Satellites
Business
Telenor Completes Acquisition of COMSAT Mobile Communications
Trimble Raises
Additional US$ 19.2 million in Second Closing Of Private Equity
Placement
Products and Services
Richardson Electronics Introduces the IPT Suitcase From Swe-Dish
Satellite Systems
People
Loral Names Chief Technical Officer
New President at Alcatel Space
Orbimage Appoints
Senior Vice President for Worldwide Marketing and Sales
Spot Image Appoints COO
BAIIT to Build Video, Data and Voice Network in China Using
ViaSat VSAT Network
Beijing Application Institute of Information
Technology (BAIIT), China has awarded a US$ 7 million notification of award,
including a signed contract for US$ 4 million, to use StarWire VSAT networking
products from ViaSat Inc to build a private network for video, IP data, and
telephony.
When installed, the network will be the first
major VSAT network to take advantage of cost savings and bandwidth capacity
increases provided by Paired Carrier Multiple Access (PCMA), a ViaSat-exclusive
technique that can increase bandwidth capacity by as much as 100%.
The
objective of the BAIIT VSAT network is to expand the range and capacity of its
private IT network through efficient co-ordination with the terrestrial
network. BAIIT believes the VSAT network will improve the capability,
robustness, cost-efficiency and customer-satisfaction of its service operation
significantly.
Phase I of the network, covered under a signed contract
for US$ 4 million, includes network management installations and more than 50
remote sites and is scheduled to be finished by the middle of this year. Phase
II is planned to follow up within the next 12 months, which would expand the
network to over 300 remote sites. BAIIT plans three integrated networks using
fixed-beam, high-powered Ku band transponders on AsiaSat 3S to provide three
different services:
PCMA is a patented ViaSat
technology that increases the capacity of satellite bandwidth. While most
satellite transmissions require separate frequencies to transmit and receive,
PCMA combines them into the same bandwidth. A terminal equipped with PCMA
recognises the signal that it sent and simply cancels out that information,
leaving it with the information received from the transmitting location. PCMA
is compatible with all modulation, coding, and multiple access techniques on
"bent pipe," non-cross-strapped satellites.
Advanced IP features in
StarWire, such as flexible IP data rate control and dynamic IP routing, save
additional bandwidth and meet the network requirements for terrestrial backup
and augmentation, LAN interconnection, and flexible high-speed data
communications at fixed and portable VSAT earth stations. The StarWire system
includes an integrated IP routing stack and Ethernet interface. StarWire
advanced IP features combined with the PCMA advantage allow the BAIIT network
to serve a much larger number of concurrent users than is possible with other
VSAT equipment for the same satellite bandwidth. StarWire telephony features
augment terrestrial telephone connectivity at larger sites in the BAIIT network
and are the primary telephone infrastructure at small / mobile sites.
This is the first deployment of StarWire into the China market. BAIIT,
headquartered in Beijing and with branches in most major cities in China, is a
leading IT service provider, that operates and manages The Private Satellite
Communication Network of BAIIT, an integrated communication platform that
focuses on multimedia applications including video, data, and voice. The
company also provides telecommunication, computer networking, and video
transmission service to China government agencies.
LinCsat and HNS to Offer Canadian 2-way Satellite Broadband
Service
LinCsat Communications Inc, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of iMark Corporation , and Hughes Network Systems (HNS) have announced an
agreement to offer DirecWay high-speed Internet broadband services to
government, commercial, small office/home office (SOHO), and residential
customers in Canada. LinCsat is Hughes' first "Powered By" partner in
Canada.
"LinCsat Powered by DirecWay" will be launched
nationwide in the first quarter of 2002. The service will be marketed by
LinCsat directly, and through a network of value-added resellers and
independent retailers serving rural and underserved communities
nationwide.
No Funds for FAME Science satellite
NASA
has cancelled the Full-Sky Astrometric Mapping Explorer (FAME) program after
the projected cost of the probe exceeded the US$ 180 million cap on the
project. Costs were expected to exceed the cost cap on the project by at least
US$ 25 million.
The project's Principal Investigator,
Kenneth Johnston of the US Naval Observatory, has so far failed in his attempts
to find an additional source of funding for the project. The next step may be
to have FAME reclassified as a NASA Discovery mission which would make funds of
up to US$ 299 million available for the project. Unfortunately, Discovery
missions are intended to be limited to exploration of the solar system and for
the search for extra-solar planets in orbit around other stars - FAME is
designed to make detailed measurements of the positions of stars and their
motions.
FAME was intended to be a follow on to the Hipparcos mission.
It was to have measured the position, parallax and photometry of some 40
million stars with apparent magnitudes between 5 and 15.
Globecomm Wins Hong Kong TT&C Contract
Globecomm Systems Inc has been awarded a contract
valued at US$ 2.9 million from APT Satellite Company Limited (APT) to provide a
Radio Frequency System for Tracking, Telemetry & Command (TT&C) and
Uplink Services in Hong Kong. Under the terms of the contract, Globecomm will
design, install and commission a TT&C Earth Station with installation
scheduled to begin in June 2002.
APT, which is a wholly
owned subsidiary of APT Satellite Holdings Limited, is a major satellite
transponder services provider in the Asia Pacific region. The RF System, which
will work as an integrated part of APT's newly built Satellite Control Center
Phase-2 in Hong Kong, will give APT improved control of its new satellite,
Apstar V and Apstar VB, resulting in the increase transponder capacities and
new services including uplink and broadcasting services to its customers
throughout the Asia Pacific region.
Intelsat Chooses Launchers for Tenth Generation Satellites
Intelsat LLC has signed two launch services contracts
- one with Boeing Launch Services for a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL vehicle and the
second with International Launch Services (ILS) for its Proton M/Breeze M
vehicle - for the launch of the two Intelsat X series satellites (10-01 and
10-02).
The 10-01 and 10-02 satellites, manufactured by
Astrium and based on its Eurostar E3000 platform, are scheduled for launch
during the second and third quarters of 2003. These spacecraft have a design
life span of 13 years each and will be deployed over the Atlantic Ocean region.
The X series are the first Intelsat satellites to use plasma propulsion for
in-orbit station keeping. This more propellant-efficient design allows for an
increase in the useful mass of the spacecraft by fifty percent over the
Intelsat IX generation; this mass can be used for providing more transponders
or more power per transponder. Both satellites will provide Internet,
broadcast, corporate network and carrier solutions to Intelsat customers.
The 10-01 is scheduled to be deployed at 310º E and has been designed
to provide 23 Ku band and 56 C band transponders (measured in 36 MHz equivalent
units). The 10-02 is planned for the 359º E location with 36 Ku band and
70 C band transponders (measured in 36 MHz equivalent units).
Milstar 2-F3
Launched: 16 January 2002
Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, Florida
Launcher: Titan 4B with Centaur
Orbit: GEO
International Number: 2002-001A
Name: Milstar 2-F3 (USA 164)
Owner: US
Air Force
Contractor: Lockheed Martin Space Systems
Milstar 2-F3
is a military communications satellite. It is the second Block II configuration
satellite to be launched.
Milstar is used for communications among
ships, submarines and land-based Naval stations via Navy Extremely High
Frequency Satellite Communications Program terminals. The system provides
communications networks to Army units via the Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable
Tactical Terminals mounted on vehicles, and to individual troops and small
units from the Single Channel Anti-Jam Man-Portable terminals. For the Air
Force, the Milstar system provides links for Air Force Command Post
Terminals.
Telenor Completes Acquisition of COMSAT Mobile Communications
Telenor
has completed the acquisition of Lockheed Martin Telecommunication's Comsat
Mobile Communications operations. The final purchase price is subject to
adjustments in accordance with the asset purchase agreement.
Simultaneously to the acquisition, Telenor gathers all its
mobile satellite activities under the new business area name Telenor Satellite
Services, and becomes one of the world's largest global mobile satellite
operators. Comsat Mobile now becomes the US subsidiary of Telenor, under the
name Telenor Satellite Services Inc.
Comsat Mobile, with annual
revenues in excess of US$ 100 million, provides global mobile communications
solutions to the maritime, land mobile and aeronautical communities, and offers
data, voice, fax, telex and video capabilities via satellite. The completion of
this transaction transfers CMC's operations, including all employees as well as
the two earth station facilities in Southbury, Connecticut, and Santa Paula,
California, to Telenor. Additionally, in September 2000 Telenor purchased a
portion of LMT's Inmarsat shares to become the largest single owner of Inmarsat
Ventures plc, holding the maximum permitted stake of 15%.
Trimble Raises Additional US$ 19.2 million in Second Closing Of
Private Equity Placement
Trimble has raised an additional US$ 19.2 million as
part of a second closing of the US$ 26.75 million private placement completed
on December 21, 2001, bringing the total amount raised to US$ 45.95 million.
Terms and conditions for the second close were the same as those of the first
close.
In connection with the second closing, Trimble
issued 1,280,004 shares of its common stock at a price of US$ 15.00 per share
to certain qualified investors. Additionally, Trimble has granted these
investors five-year warrants to purchase an additional 256,002 shares of common
stock, subject to certain adjustments, at an exercise price of US$ 19.475 per
share. Trimble plans to use the net proceeds from this transaction to pay down
a portion of its outstanding debt. Salomon Smith Barney served as financial
advisor to Trimble.
Richardson Electronics Introduces the IPT Suitcase From
Swe-Dish Satellite Systems
Richardson Electronics, a global provider of
engineered solutions for RF and wireless communications and broadcast products,
has announced the introduction of the Swe-Dish IPT Suitcase.
The product will be available through Broadcast Richardson,
a division of Richardson Electronics. Broadcast Richardson is an authorised
distributor in the Western Hemisphere for Swe-Dish's new line of IP (internet
protocol) products as well as their popular DSNG (digital satellite news
gathering) Fly-Away and Drive-Away systems.
The Swe-Dish IPT Suitcase
is recognised as the world's most compact and quickest-to-air satellite
terminal. This unique, IP-based solution allows live transmission of broadcast
quality TV, radio and data from almost anywhere in the world. The carbon-cased
system is virtually the size of carry-on baggage (66 x 48 x 28 cms), with a
design that combines the benefits of simple, one-person operation and
exceptional technical performance.
The IPT Suitcase generates full
broadcast quality transmission already encoded for immediate distribution via
broadband to virtually anywhere in the world at up to 2 Mb/s. Its quick
deployment, performance and convenience makes it ideal for broadcasting sports
and entertainment from difficult locations, for disaster relief applications,
corporate and other video conferencing situations, as well as providing
temporary ISP nodes for remote workers. The unit operates from 24V DC or a main
power source. The suitcase is also robust enough to withstand true 'in the
field' treatment including precipitation of up to 10 cm per hour and heavy
winds.
Loral Names Chief Technical Officer
Loral Space &
Communications has announced that Dr Joel Schindall has been named vice
president and chief technical officer. In this position, Dr Schindall will
develop and co-ordinate Loral's strategic and technical growth objectives. Dr
Schindall will report to Eric Zahler, president and chief operating
officer.
Dr Schindall, 60, most recently was senior vice
president of engineering and development and chief engineer at Globalstar, the
global mobile satellite telephone company. At Globalstar, Dr Schindall was
responsible for the successful development and deployment of the ground and
communications segments of the system. He also oversaw the overall engineering
integrity of the Globalstar system and identified potential additional system
applications and technologies.
Before joining Globalstar, Dr Schindall
spent more than eight years with the former Loral Corporation as president of
Loral Conic, a division in San Diego, California. that designs and manufactures
rugged telemetry equipment used in flight testing of missiles and
spacecraft.
Prior to that, Dr Schindall held a variety of positions at
Watkins-Johnson Company in Palo Alto, California, including manager of the
Recon Division. Dr Schindall's work during his 19 year tenure there included
the invention of several unique products, a direct role in conceiving and
developing an entire family of advanced computer-controlled microwave
receivers, and a key role in the staffing and leadership of the division.
Dr Schindall received his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in
electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology.
New President at Alcatel Space
Pascale
Sourisse has been appointed head of Alcatel's space activities. She also took
over Jean-Claude Husson as President and CEO of Alcatel Space and Alcatel Space
Industries.
Pascale Sourisse will oversee Alcatel's
space activities, which include the development of satellite technology
solutions for telecommunications, navigation, optical and radar observation,
meteorology, and scientific applications. Previously, she was in charge of
SkyBridge, Alcatel's broadband satellite venture.
Orbimage Appoints Senior Vice President for Worldwide Marketing
and Sales
Orbimage has announced that Timothy J Puckorius has
returned to Orbimage to join its executive team as Senior Vice President for
Worldwide Marketing and Sales. Mr Puckorius will lead Orbimage's global
expansion, marketing initiatives, and revenue pursuits effective
immediately.
During his tenure at Orbimage from 1997 to
2000, Mr Puckorius served as Vice President for International Marketing &
Business Development, successfully establishing Orbimage as an industry leader
in commercial high-resolution satellite imagery by securing the majority of the
company's global distributorship agreements. In his new position, Mr Puckorius
will lead Orbimage's efforts to expand its strategic partnerships, increase
revenues, and broaden it's product and services portfolio.
Prior to
re-joining Orbimage, Mr Puckorius was Senior Vice President, Global Marketing
and Sales with WorldSpace Corporation, and held similar executive positions
with Space Imaging Inc, Earth Observation Satellite Company, and EarthSat
Corporation. Mr Puckorius' academic background includes advanced degrees from
The George Washington University (Washington DC) and The American University in
Paris (France).
Spot Image Appoints COO
Spot Image has announced the
appointment of Jean-Michel Darroy to the post of Chief Operating Officer
(COO).
Darroy will be responsible for overseeing all the
operational processes.
