24 November 2002
Satcoms
Connexion by Boeing Receives Key European Regulatory
Authorisations
HNS Europe Signs AstraCom as Provider of DirecWay Broadband
Services
Industry Canada Grants Approval to HNS for SpaceWay Satellites in
Canada
Intelsat
Enables Vodacom to Grow in Africa
Scandinavian Airlines System Selects Connexion by
Boeing
Military
Space
SI
International Wins US Air Force Space Command Contract
Science
ATK Will Supply Composite Telescope Structure for New NASA Space
Observatory
Technology
Canadian
Space Agency Launches Small and Micro-satellite Program
NASA Awards Contracts for
Flight Demonstrators
Business
SES Americom Insures Six Satellites and their Launches in
Bundled Agreement
Products and Services
Helius MPEG-1/2 Decoder and
Playback Set-Top Appliance Ships
Helius Satellite Router v2
Advances Satellite IP Routing
KVH Introduces Mobile, High-Speed Internet to Europe With
TracNet 2.0
Stratos Launches Regional BGAN Service
ViaSat Introduces Calypso IV
Terminal
Connexion by Boeing Receives Key European Regulatory
Authorisations
(18
November 2002) Regulatory agencies from Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium and
The Netherlands have granted authorisation for The Boeing Company to use a
range of Ku band frequencies for its Connexion by Boeing mobile information
service.
The authorisations have been granted in support
of service demonstrations with Lufthansa German Airlines and British Airways
that will begin in the first quarter of 2003. The two leading European air
carriers are pioneering the use of broadband connectivity onboard commercial
aircraft and will commence three-month service demonstrations in January and
February, respectively.
Airline passengers will be able to choose from
a multitude of personalised real-time services in flight including access to
high-speed Internet, intranet and e-mail services, e-commerce, shopping,
entertainment content and travel and destination information on trans-Atlantic
flights between Europe and North America.
The Connexion by Boeing
service for commercial airlines is now less than three months away following
stringent review by government agencies in each country that has the
responsibility for allocating radio frequencies. To support those efforts,
Connexion by Boeing has used a dedicated Boeing 737 aircraft for research,
testing, validation and demonstrations to ensure the service can operate within
its allocated spectrum without causing radio interference with other spectrum
users. In a parallel effort, the Connexion by Boeing regulatory team has worked
extensively with countries that are members of the International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) for the global spectrum allocation.
In
addition to the passenger connectivity benefits, Connexion by Boeing's
broadband service provides airlines with a choice for an e-enablement framework
for commercial aircraft, transforming them into a value-added node on an
airline's global information network, allowing in-flight crews to talk to the
airline operation centre and move data simultaneously over multiple channels
when they want, wherever they want. By taking advantage of the service's
unmatched bandwidth, airline personnel can send and receive information that
enhances operational efficiencies on the ground and in the cabin
environment.
HNS
Europe Signs AstraCom
as Provider of DirecWay Broadband Services
(20 November 2002) Hughes Network Systems Europe
(HNSE) has announced that AstraCom Technologies Holding Company BV has signed
on to offer two-way, high-speed Internet services to small- and medium-sized
businesses throughout Europe.
Already a reseller of
Hughes Network Systems' products, AstraCom will now provide complete broadband
access solutions to their customers throughout the region. The broadband
Internet access service is available in either single user or LAN terminal
configurations, with scalable grades of service to satisfy consumer through
enterprise-wide requirements.
AstraCom Satellite Communications
Holding Company BV is a Dutch telecommunications company based in Utrecht that
offers telecommunications solutions mainly to central European
telecommunication service providers and to the business community. AstraCom
Technologies has subsidiary offices in Prague, Czech Republic, Bratislava in
the Slovak Republic and in Budapest, Hungary. From these offices, AstraCom is
active in all of the Central European countries from Poland to Albania.
AstraCom offers engineering and consultancy, corporate networks and Internet
connectivity to customers including governmental organisations, ISPs and ASPs
and international carriers.
Industry
Canada Grants Approval
to HNS for SpaceWay Satellites in Canada
(20 November 2002) Industry Canada has granted HNS
approval to use the SpaceWay North American satellites at 99° and 101°
W to provide services to, from and within Canada.
This
authorisation permits SpaceWay satellites to utilise Ka band spectrum for
advanced broadband services to earth stations licensed in Canada. SpaceWay's
coverage footprint will exceed 80% of Canada's population, including many
geographically dispersed and underserved areas.
Scheduled for launch
in 2003, with commercial service beginning in 2004, SpaceWay will provide
full-mesh connectivity for delivery of high-bandwidth, multimedia services.
In addition to its peer-to-peer architecture, SpaceWay incorporates many
other advanced features - such as on-board processing, packet switching, spot
beams, and bandwidth-on-demand. It will open up a wealth of opportunities for
delivering high-speed, broadband services and new IP applications to North
American enterprises. Applications include high-quality, secure
videoconferencing, telecollaboration, Internet access, telemedicine, and
distance learning-on-demand.
Intelsat
Enables Vodacom to Grow
in Africa
(18
November 2002) Intelsat South Africa (Pty) Ltd has signed a five-year contract
with Vodacom International, a subsidiary of the Vodacom Group, to provide
satellite capacity to enable Vodacom's expansion of mobile telecommunications
services to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Intelsat is providing capacity on its 904 satellite at
60º E to carry the telecommunications traffic generated to and from more
than 20 base stations and switching centres around and inside the African
countries, as well as into the public switched network.
The Vodacom
Group is one of South Africa's largest privately owned companies, whose major
shareholders are Telkom SA, Venfin and Vodafone.
Scandinavian Airlines System Selects Connexion by Boeing
(21 November 2002)
Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and Connexion by Boeing have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will make the airline a significant
international customer for the high-speed mobile information services
provider.
A prelude to a service agreement, the MOU
calls for the market-leading broadband data and entertainment service to be
installed on 11 SAS long-haul aircraft as part of the first step, with
additional aircraft options for expansion of the service. In 2004 SAS will be
one of the first airlines in the world to offer this service. Financial terms
of the agreement were not disclosed.
Connexion by Boeing is a mobile
information services provider that is bringing high-speed Internet, data and
entertainment connectivity to aircraft in flight. The service currently is
available to the executive services market in the US, which includes operators
of private and government aircraft and will begin service demonstrations with
Lufthansa in January 2003, followed by the commencement of service demos with
British Airways in February 2003.
SI
International Wins US
Air Force Space Command Contract
(18 November 2002) SI International has received a
prime contract to assist the Air Force Space Command, (AFSPC), Space and
Missile System Center's System Sustainment Manager for the Satellite and Launch
Control Systems (SMC/CWD) in implementing Air Force Product Support
Management.
The contract awarded by the General Services
Administration (GSA) Federal Systems Integration and Management Center (FEDSIM)
is for one and one-half base years with two one-year option renewals. The
contract has a potential value of US$ 6.6 million over the three and one-half
year period.
SI International will provide IT management, engineering,
technical, and administrative services supporting the AFSPC SMC/CWD in
improving operational efficiency and effectiveness, and reducing performance
costs for the Satellite and Launch Control Systems. Specific areas of technical
support and expertise to be performed by SI International include:
The Space and Missile Systems Center
Satellite and Launch Control Systems Program Office serves as the Air Force
Satellite Control Network acquisition agency responsible for network
sustainment activities, future architecture planning, and data, communications,
and range systems engineering. The program office is also responsible for the
major development efforts of the Spacelift Range System.
For more than
twelve years, SI International has served as a technical support contractor for
the military space community including Headquarters North American Aerospace
Defense Command (NORAD), Headquarters United States Space Command (USSPACECOM),
Headquarters Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), and Headquarters Army Space
Command (ARSPACE). In addition, SI International has supported the Spacelift
Range Systems, Range Standardization and Automation, and the Air Force
Satellite Control Network since 1996.
ATK Will Supply Composite Telescope Structure for New NASA
Space Observatory
(22 November 2002) ATK (Alliant Techsystems) is the
composite structures supplier on a team led by prime contractor TRW that will
build NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, a powerful new space-based observatory
designed to replace the Hubble Space Telescope.
Sales
under the teaming agreement with TRW are expected to be approximately US$ 15
million.
ATK Composites, Clearfield, Utah, will be responsible for
design, fabrication, and testing of the composite telescope structure, which
includes backing structures and struts for the telescope's two deployable
mirrors and support structures for the aft optics. The structures will be
manufactured from a proprietary graphite hybrid material using advanced hand
layup and precision bonding techniques specifically designed for critical
thermal distortion performance at cryogenic temperatures.
TRW will
design and fabricate the observatory's primary mirror and spacecraft, and will
be responsible for systems integration, pre-flight testing, and on-orbit
checkout of the observatory. Other key team-mates on the project include Ball
Aerospace and Eastman Kodak.
The next-generation telescope will be
able to peer farther into space and with greater clarity than any previous
telescope at a fraction of the size and overall cost of the Hubble Space
Telescope. Scientists hope to use the telescope to gain a greater understanding
of the origins and structure of the universe and make predictions about its
ultimate fate. The telescope will operate in cryogenic temperatures below
-235° C in a Lagrange 2 orbit over 1.5 million km from Earth. When
deployed, its primary mirror will be approximately 6.1 m in
diameter.
Canadian Space Agency Launches Small and Micro-satellite
Program
(13
November 2002) The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded six contracts, worth
a total of Cdn$ 930,000, to Canadian space companies for developing generic
small-satellite and micro-satellite buses to meet the future needs of the
Canadian space program.
These contracts have been
awarded to Bristol Aerospace Limited, EMS Technologies, Com Dev International,
Space Quest, and Dynacon.
The CSA's small and micro-satellite program
will oversee the activities of Canadian satellite missions for the next ten
years. To reduce costs, the program includes the development of a satellite
platform designed to accommodate both scientific and technology-demonstration
missions.
NASA
Awards Contracts for
Flight Demonstrators
(20 November 2002) NASA has awarded contracts under
the Cycle 2 Space Launch Initiative (SLI) solicitation to two companies for
flight demonstrator technologies. The awards for flight demonstrators are
required at this stage to mature technologies needed to support full-scale
development design of a future competitively selected Orbital Space Plane under
the restructured SLI effort.
The Boeing Company-Phantom
Works Division, Seal Beach, California., was awarded approximately US$ 301
million (including options through 2006) to continue the development of the
X-37 flight demonstrator. This contract includes a progressive series of
approach and landing tests and a space transportation research orbital vehicle.
The atmospheric tests are scheduled for mid-2004 and the orbital flight is
scheduled for mid-2006.
The Lockheed Martin Corporation, Denver,
Colorado, was awarded a contract valued up to approximately US$ 53 million
(including options through 2006) to develop a reusable launch pad abort
demonstrator. The contract includes a full-scale reusable system that will
provide the capability to test technologies in a launch pad abort
situation.
The solicitation was issued in January, as part of the
second generation SLI, and requested proposals for a broad range of research
and development activities for technology risk reduction activities.
The Boeing developed X-37 vehicles will be used as flight demonstrator test
beds. These technology demonstrators will test key embedded technologies and
flight experiments in relevant environments of ascent, on-orbit, and descent
and landing phases of flight. An initial list of experiments and technologies
to be tested includes: advanced guidance, navigation and control, thermal
protection systems, high temperature structures, conformal reusable insulation,
high-temperature seals, and tile leading edges.
The Lockheed-Martin
launch pad abort demonstrator will be used as a test-bed to demonstrate crew
escape technologies and to validate analytical models necessary for future crew
escape systems. The launch pad abort demonstrator test bed will use fully
instrumented mannequins to provide data on crew environments during the test
and check out of crew escape propulsion systems, parachute deployment, vehicle
orientation, landing techniques, and external aeroshell configurations. This
vehicle may be upgraded to test additional maturing launch pad abort
technologies to improve crew safety and survivability.
Eutelsat
W5
Launched: 20 November 2002
Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida
Launcher: Delta 4M
Orbit: GEO, 70.5° E
International Number: 2002-051A
Name: Eutelsat
W5
Owner: Eutelsat
Contractor: Alcatel Space
Eutelsat W5 is a
commercial communications satellite and will offer a complete range of
services, including video distribution and contribution links, occasional use
video, especially for satellite newsgathering (SNG), and Internet backbone
connections.
Built on the Spacebus 3000 platform, it is equipped with
24 Ku-band transponders, configured with one fixed widebeam covering Western
Europe, central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, and two steerable spotbeams.
The spotbeams can be steered according to commercial requirements to cover all
accessible zones, especially Southeast Asia. Weighing over 3,000 kg at
lift-off, the satellite develops 6 kW of power and has a design life exceeding
12 years.
This was the first flight of Boeing's Delta 4 launch
vehicle.
STS-113
Launched: 23 November 2002
Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Launcher: Shuttle Endeavour (STS-113)
Orbit: LEO, apogee: 226 km, perigee:
226 km: inclination: 51.6°
International Number: 2002-052A
Name:
ISS 11A, ITS, P1 on the Shuttle Endeavour (STS-113)
Owner: NASA
This shuttle mission will support the construction of the International Space
Station (ISS) and will deliver the P1 Truss section to the station. It will
also carry the three Expedition Six ISS crew members to orbit and will return
with the three Expedition Five crew members.
Crew:
James D
Wetherbee, commander
Christopher J Loria, pilot
Michael E
Lopez-Alegria, mission specialist
John B Herrington, mission
specialists
Kenneth D Bowersox, Expedition Six to ISS
Donald A Thomas,
Expedition Six to ISS
Nikolai M Budarin, Expedition Six to ISS
Valeri G
Korzun, Expedition Five from ISS
Peggy A Whitson, Expedition Five from
ISS
Sergei Y Treschev, Expedition Five from ISS
The P1 is the
latest addition to the space station's 10-segment Integrated Truss Structure.
The trusses will carry the station's solar arrays along with a cooling system
for the orbital outpost.
The Boeing-built P1 truss along with one CETA
(Crew and Equipment Translation Aid) cart costs about US$ 390 million. The cart
is used to move spacewalkers, tools and equipment along the truss
structure.
When deployed both P1 and S1 have a set of three radiators.
The P1 and S1 radiators are each mounted on a radiator beam assembly that
rotates to keep itself in the shade and away from the sun in order to maximise
thermal performance. The radiator beam is attached to the truss via a rotating
mechanism called the thermal radiator rotary joint (TRRJ) that rotates the
three radiators 105° in either direction. The TRRJ power data transfer
assembly transfers power and the flex hose rotary coupler transfers ammonia
between the radiators and the rest of the space station.
The addition
of P1 also extends the Mobile Transporter (MT) rail line. The MT car travels
along the length of the truss structure to carry the space station robotic arm
along with space walkers, tools and construction items. Also, the two CETA
carts operate on the S1 and P1 rail lines and are used to move spacewalkers,
tools and equipment along the truss structure. A CETA cart can be used alone or
coupled to the MT.
The P1 truss will be attached to the left or port
side of the S0 (starboard zero). In October 2002, Space Shuttle Atlantis
delivered and installed the S1 truss to the right or starboard side of S0.
The P1 truss is made primarily from aluminium. It is 13.7 m x 4.5 m x 3.9
m and weighs 12,476 kg.
SES
Americom Insures Six
Satellites and their Launches in Bundled Agreement
(18 November 2002) SES Americom has closed on
an insurance placement, one of the largest and uniquely structured ever
completed in the space market. The package covers six communication satellites
to be launched between January 2003 and 4th Quarter, 2004. The book value of
the package is over US$ 1.3 billion; specific terms were not disclosed.
Based on the industry-leading quality performance and
reliability of the SES Americom and SES Astra fleets, the company negotiated a
performance-based placement that should result in rates that have not been
available in the space markets since 2000. The placement was co-ordinated by
Marsh - Space, which deployed specialised teams in its New York, London, Paris,
Bermuda and Luxembourg offices to pull together the complex syndicate of almost
two dozen underwriters.
The six spacecraft covered under the agreement
are:
Helius
MPEG-1/2 Decoder and
Playback Set-Top Appliance Ships
(18 November 2002) Helius Inc has released its Helius
Video Appliance (HVA) set top device, a full-featured add-on for Helius
Satellite Router v2 or Helius Media Router. HVA provides delivery of
high-quality live or stored multicast and video file playback on any video
display or television.
HVA allows users to control
playback at the point of display via remote control. The playback content can
be stored on HVA (with optional hard drive) or delivered from a device like the
Helius Satellite Router v2. In addition, key features of HVA
include:
Helius Video Appliance is priced at US$ 999 (MSRP). Storage options are available for an additional fee.
Helius
Satellite Router v2
Advances Satellite IP Routing
(18 November 2002) Helius Inc has announced the
availability of its Helius Satellite Router v2 (HSR2), the first product of its
kind to offer a full suite of video services-including conversion of digital
video broadcast (DVB) to IP multicast in real-time, configurable video
playlists, ad rotation, full-featured logging, video playback, video-on-demand,
and electronic program guide (EPG).
HSR v2 is a fully IP
compliant broadband router with a satellite interface. This patented router has
been designed as a modular, robust platform with a complete suite of data,
video, and content management applications. It offers the flexibility to
customise or add new features and functionality without affecting the stability
of the core system.
HSR v2 builds upon earlier versions (which
introduced TV-out and hard disk storage in a satellite IP router) with new
video services and features, including:
Helius Satellite Router v2 is priced at US$ 2,499 (MSRP) with a standard 80 gigabyte hard drive. Other storage options are available.
KVH Introduces Mobile, High-Speed Internet to Europe With
TracNet 2.0
(19
November 2002) KVH Industries has introduced its new TracNet 2.0 Mobile High-
speed Internet System. TracNet 2.0 provides seamless, two-way Internet access
throughout Europe by combining broadband Internet-via-satellite downloads and a
wireless return path.
Broadband Internet data provided
by Xantic is available throughout Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of the
North Sea, Black Sea, and northern Africa. The broadband signal is received by
any of KVH's Digital Video Broadcast (DVB)-compatible TracVision satellite TV
antennas. These fully stabilised marine satellite TV antennas offer access to
both the broadband Internet downloads as well as more than 300 channels of
digital TV and audio entertainment, news, sports, weather, and business
information.
Users can access Internet data via the powerful
server-based TracNet 2.0, which offers unmatched networking versatility that
includes Ethernet and optional 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless network connections. As
many as 5 users can surf the web simultaneously from virtually anywhere on
board the ship. Outgoing e-mail and Internet requests are transmitted by the
TracNet 2.0 wireless return path, which uses KVH's Velocity Acceleration
software to boost outgoing transmission speeds to as fast as 56 kb/s. The
return path can also be used for standard two-way Internet access should the
vessel move outside the broadband coverage area or the satellite signal is
blocked. In addition, the standard service can be used when the TracVision
antenna is receiving satellite TV signals, allowing passengers and crew to
enjoy their favourite television programs as well as two-way Internet
connections. TracNet 2.0's standard coverage area extends into the eastern
Atlantic and Middle East.
Stratos Launches Regional BGAN Service
(20 November 2002) Stratos has announced the
launch of a revolutionary new service, Regional BGAN. Launched in partnership
with Inmarsat, this new compact and lightweight satellite IP terminal will
allow users connection speeds of up to 144 kb/s at a cost which is much lower
than previous communications solutions.
In addition to
this, the solution brings the advantage of an "Always-On" connection, meaning
the user will not have to log on and off as they use the system. The
lightweight, compact size of the terminal makes it a very "mobile friendly"
solution, allowing it to be carried anywhere and everywhere.
As a true
IP terminal, users only pay for the data they send or receive, making it an
ideal proposition for those requiring Internet, email, e-commerce, or file
transfer capabilities, for example.
ViaSat Introduces Calypso IV Terminal
(19 November 2002) The Comsat Laboratories
division of ViaSat Inc is introducing the new Calypso IV terminal for StarWire
networks that gives users two high-speed PCMA-capable modem cards in each
terminal.
Calypso IV reduces the cost of PCMA hub
installations by cutting the number of Calypso chassis in half compared to
Calypso III. In addition, the product line now offers Uplink Power Control to
boost system performance and a low-cost L band to 70/140 MHz converter for more
outdoor transceiver equipment (RF) options.
StarWire satellite
communication networks provide bandwidth, data rates, routing, and traffic
circuits on-demand in a full mesh configuration for efficient, wide-area IP
networking.
StarWire is the first satellite network product to offer
ViaSat-exclusive Paired Carrier Multiple Access (PCMA) that can cut bandwidth
use by as much as half by enabling both send and receive signals to occupy the
same bandwidth.
By allowing two high-speed PCMA modems per chassis,
Calypso IV saves customers money and simplifies their network installations.
Calypso IV can carry two high-speed PCMA clear channel services, or one
clear-channel and one high-speed IP service. The new terminal is completely
compatible with all Calypso III configurations.
The new Uplink Power
Control feature improves availability and performance in StarWire networks by
mitigating Ku band rain fade and automatically maintaining transmit power
levels that maximise the cost-savings of PCMA. Uplink Power Control is
available as a software upgrade to existing StarWire networks.
ViaSat's L band to 70/140 MHz converter gives users more options in their
choice of RF equipment. In network retrofits, customers can save money by
reusing 70 MHz interface RF equipment, or new installations can take advantage
of desirable features in 70 or 140 MHz RF transceivers, such as redundancy. The
L band to 70/ 140 MHz converter is available in redundant and non-redundant
configurations for StarWire Calypso and also ViaSat's Linkway 2100.
