Microcom's Space Newsfeed

17 June 2007

Previous News

Satcoms
AeroAstro Installs Network Device Extending Globalstar Simplex Data Service to Eastern Australia and New Zealand
(14 June 2007) AeroAstro today announced that it successfully installed the next SENS asset tracking satellite downlink decoder rack (Applique) at a Globalstar ground gateway in Dubbo, New South Wales in Eastern Australia.
Avionica Begins Installation of Iridium Satellite Communication Systems on Continental Airlines
(13 June 2007) Avionica has won orders from Continental Airlines to outfit nine B737-800 passenger aircraft with advanced Iridium satellite systems to provide global, low-cost voice and data communications.
Blue Sky Network Equipment Selected for Fire Fighting Aircraft
(12 June 2007) Blue Sky Network, the global logistics solution provider for two-way linking and managing transportation assets via satellite, today announced the U.S. Forest Service selected its equipment for use in large air tankers that are used to fight wildfires.
Globalstar Awarded WSCA State Cooperative Contract for Purchase of Satellite Products and Services
(14 June 2007) Globalstar, Inc., a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government, and individuals, today announced that it has successfully completed negotiations with the State of Utah and has been awarded a Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA) contract for the purchase of Globalstar satellite voice and data products and services.
Globecomm Systems Awarded Multiple Contracts From a Global Multilateral Organisation
(13 June 2007) Globecomm Systems Inc., a global provider of end-to-end satellite-based communications solutions, today announced that it has been awarded multiple contracts from a global multilateral organisation valued at approximately US$ 2.1 million.
Iridium Will Provide Satellite Links for New Nation-wide Rail Communication Infrastructure in Australia
(11 June 2007) Telstra Corporation has awarded an eight-year contract, valued at Aus$ 3.0 - Aus$ 3.5 million, to Beam Communications Pty Ltd to supply Iridium-based satellite equipment as part of a new interstate communication infrastructure for the Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC).
PacStar and Spacenet Collaborate to Provide Portable Communications Command Centre
(14 June 2007) In time for the start of the 2007 hurricane season, PacStar and Spacenet Inc. are working together to create the Emergency Preparedness Integrated Communications (EPIC) system, a mobile emergency response solution that quickly restores emergency communications in the event of a disaster.
Satcoms Help Welsh Renewables Electricity Provider Stay Connected
(13 June 2007) International satellite communications provider NSSL is helping Welsh electricity company E.ON keep in touch with its remote facilities.
Tata Indicom VSAT Services Forms A Strategic Alliance With Digifour Technologies
(13 June 2007) To revolutionise the indoor and outdoor signage experience for customers and suppliers, TATA Indicom VSAT Services (TIVS) has set off a strategic business alliance with Digifour Technologies (Digi4), the company offering 'SCALA' - the world's leading platform for Digital Signage.
Telenor Satellite Services Developing New Broadband Communications Service for the Maritime Industry
(12 June 2007) Telenor Satellite Services, a subsidiary of Telenor of Norway, announced today that it is developing a new broadband communications line of services for the maritime industry enabling seamless global roaming for data and voice communications at sea.
WildBlue U 2007 Brings Opportunity to Students in Rural America
(13 June 2007) Rural utilities have, once again, joined together to bring the WildBlue U student intern program to communities across America.

Broadcast
DirecTV to Offer 11 HBO/Cinemax Channels in HD
(13 June 2007) Continuing to pack its lineup with premium-quality HD channels for launch this fall, DirecTV will begin to roll out the HD feeds of 11 HBO and Cinemax channels nationally in September.
SES Astra Clinches Deal With ITV For More Capacity
(14 June 2007) SES Astra, an SES company, has signed an agreement with its existing customer ITV to provide additional satellite capacity.
SkyLife Chooses Tandberg Television for SD and HD Upgrade
(12 June 2007) Tandberg Television, part of the Ericsson Group, today announced that it is providing a satellite head-end system upgrade to Korea Digital Satellite Broadcasting Co. Ltd., more universally recognised under its 'SkyLife' brand name.

Earth Observation
African Water Project Supported By Space
(8 June 2007) Algeria, Libya and Tunisia have kicked off an ambitious water project called GEO-AQUIFER that will use satellite imagery to support the monitoring and sustainable management of their common, transboundary groundwater resources, bettering the living conditions of their population.
ESA Satellite Guides Polar Explorers Across Disintegrating Sea Ice
(12 June 2007) Two Belgian explorers currently nearing the end of a staggering 2 000 km trek across the Arctic Ocean were recently guided through hazardous conditions using observations from Envisat, as sea ice in the Lincoln Sea began to break up unexpectedly.

Navigation
TransCore's GlobalWave Satellite Communications Trailer Tracking System Receives Highest Intrinsically Safe UL 913 Certification
(12 June 2007) TransCore's GlobalWave satellite-based trailer tracking devices were awarded the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 913 Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus Certification.

Military Space
Boeing-led Team Responding to TSAT Space Segment Request for Proposal
(14 June 2007) The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and its best-of-industry TEAM TSAT are preparing a response to a U.S. Air Force Request for Proposals issued for the development and production of the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) Space Segment.
NGC Will Mature System Design for Alternate Infrared Satellite System Under US Air Force Contract Option
(11 June 2007) The U.S. Air Force has exercised an option on its Alternate Infrared Satellite System (AIRSS) contract with Northrop Grumman Corporation to move the program to a System Design Review (SDR) level of maturity.
Northrop Grumman to Begin Developing New Satellite Communications System for B-2 Bomber
(11 June 2007) Northrop Grumman Corporation has begun work on a 62-month, US$ 171 million system development and demonstration (SDD) contract for the first increment of a new extremely high frequency (EHF) satellite communications system for the U.S. Air Force's B-2 stealth bomber.
Raytheon Ships ARTEMIS Sensor for On-Demand Surveillance from Space
(11 June 2007) A hyper-spectral imaging sensor developed by Raytheon Company to demonstrate and assess military applications from satellites launched on demand has been delivered to Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.
Update on Satellite Ofek 7
(14 June 2007) Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today that the Israeli Ministry of Defence reported that the satellite "Ofek 7" and its systems were operational and working well.
ViaSat Receives Order for MIDS JTRS Air Worthiness Terminals and Tactical Networking Production Transition Terminals
(15 June 2007) ViaSat Inc. has been awarded undefinitised contracts with a value not to exceed US$ 19 million for the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS).

Astrophysics
Matter Flashed at Ultra Speed
(12 June 2007) Using a robotic telescope at the ESO La Silla Observatory, astronomers have for the first time measured the velocity of the explosions known as gamma-ray bursts.

Astronomy
Construction Begins on the James Webb Space Telescope's Guidance Sensor and Imager
(13 June 2007) The Canadian Space Agency has awarded a US$ 39 million contract to Com Dev International Ltd. to build two important instruments on NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.
Free from the Atmosphere - Laser Guide Star System on ESO's VLT Starts Regular Science Operations
(13 June 2007) An artificial, laser-fed star now shines regularly over the sky of Paranal, home of ESO's Very Large Telescope, one of the world's most advanced large ground-based telescopes.
WISE Completes CDR at Ball Aerospace
(12 June 2007) Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) spacecraft, a NASA mission that will provide an infrared map of the universe.

Stars
Astronomers Identify the Most Massive Star - Ever
(10 June 2007) Although stars with masses reaching up to 150 times the mass of the Sun are expected in the local Universe, no one has reliably found a star exceeding 83 solar masses so far.

Supernova
Dartmouth Undergrad Solves Long-Standing Astronomical Puzzle
(14 June 2007) A team of astronomers has recalculated the explosion date of the famous Crab Nebula supernova and found excellent agreement between their measurements and the classic date of the 1054 A.D. appearance of a bright "guest star" seen in the constellation of Taurus the Bull.

Sun
Sun's Deep Interior Revealed by New Computer Model; Research Provides Clues
(10 June 2007) A new computer model simulates convection patterns in the deep interior of the Sun in unprecedented detail. The patterns, known as giant cells, play a critical role in solar variability, influencing magnetic storms that take aim at Earth.

Earth
NASA Scientist Finds a New Way to the Centre of the Earth
(11 June 2007) Humans have yet to see Earth's centre, as did the characters in Jules Verne's science fiction classic, "Journey to the Centre of the Earth." But a new NASA study proposes a novel technique to pinpoint more precisely the location of Earth's centre of mass and how it moves through space.

Mars
NASA Research Supports Presence Of Large Oceans On Early Mars
(14 June 2007) NASA-funded astrobiologists at the University of California, Berkeley have discovered evidence supporting the presence of large oceans of liquid water on early Mars.
Strong Evidence That Mars Once Had An Ocean
(14 June 2007) A paper in this week's issue of Nature by University of California, Berkeley, geophysicists demolishes one of the key arguments against the past presence of large oceans on Mars.

Saturn
Cassini Finds Saturn Moons Are Active
(14 June 2007) Saturn's moons Tethys and Dione are flinging great streams of particles into space, according to data from the Cassini mission to Saturn.
Two More Active Moons Around Saturn
(13 June 2007) Saturn's moons Tethys and Dione are flinging great streams of particles into space, according to data from the NASA/ESA/ASI Cassini mission to Saturn.

Kuiper Belt
Astronomers Measure Mass of Largest Dwarf Planet
(14 June 2007) NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has teamed up with the W.M. Keck Observatory to precisely measure the mass of Eris, the largest member of a new class of dwarf planets in our solar system.

Extra-Solar Planets
Boring Star May Mean Livelier Planet
(10 June 2007) The bad news for astronomers is: The light from the planetary system Gliese 581 is boring.

Exobiology
Spitzer Searches for the Origins of Life
(13 June 2007) Astronomers suspect the early Earth was a very harsh place. Temperatures were extreme, and the planet was constantly bombarded by cosmic debris.

Manned Space
Assessment of ESA's ATV Mission Readiness Results in a New Launch Window
(14 June 2007) Europe's first Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) is ready for launch and will be shipped to Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in mid-July for a launch campaign that will last several months.
Atlantis Crew to Prepare ISS Further for the European Columbus Laboratory
(8 June 2007) Space Shuttle Atlantis is due to lift off late tonight on its way to the International Space Station.
Boeing-built Hardware to Provide Electrical Boost to International Space Station
(11 June 2007) With training from Boeing [NYSE: BA] engineers and help from two robotic arms, Space Shuttle Atlantis astronauts today will install a Boeing-built truss element that will provide an extra boost of power to the International Space Station (ISS).
International Space Station's P3/P4 Solar Arrays Deploying
(12 June 2007) The International Space Station's new solar arrays are stretching to their full length with the assistance of the STS-117 and Expedition 15 crews.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #01
(8 June 2007) The Space Shuttle Atlantis rocketed into a Florida twilight sky on time at 6:38 p.m. CDT today, kicking off the first of four shuttle missions scheduled this year.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #02
(9 June 2007) The astronauts on board Space Shuttle Atlantis got their first on-orbit wakeup call this morning on their way to a Sunday afternoon rendezvous to deliver a new crewmember and a new set of solar arrays to the International Space Station.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #03
(9 June 2007) During its first full day in orbit, the STS-117 crew inspected Space Shuttle Atlantis' heat shield and prepared for tomorrow's docking with the International Space Station scheduled for 2:38 p.m. CDT.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #04
(10 June 2007) Space Shuttle Atlantis is only hours away from delivering a new set of solar array wings, and a new crewmember, to the International Space Station. Docking of the shuttle to the station is targeted for 2:38 p.m. CDT.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #05
(10 June 2007) The crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis officially was welcomed by the International Space Station crew this afternoon at 4:20 CDT with handshakes and hugs.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #06
(11 June 2007) A spacewalk to install and activate a new set of solar array wings highlights the first full day of docked operations of space shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #07
(11 June 2007) The International Space Station grew in size and capability today when the S3/S4 Truss became a permanent addition as crewmembers worked inside and outside the complex to complete the final hookups.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #08
(12 June 2007) The International Space Station's new solar array wings are spreading today while the 10 astronauts and cosmonauts get ready for the second spacewalk during this flight of space shuttle Atlantis.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #09
(12 June 2007) The International Space Station today spread its wings again with the activation of a new pair of solar arrays that will generate enough power to supply about eight homes.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #10
(13 June 2007) A pair of spacewalking astronauts is getting ready for a 6 1/2 hour excursion this afternoon to help retract an old solar array wing and get two new ones ready to go to work.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #11
(13 June 2007) Just a few launch restraint bolts stand between the International Space Station's new solar arrays and rotation, following a seven hour and 16 minute spacewalk by Mission Specialists Patrick Forrester and Steve Swanson.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #12
(14 June 2007) Solar array retraction and spacewalk preparation are the focus of the crews on board space shuttle Atlantis and the International Space Station today.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #13
(14 June 2007) The space shuttle Atlantis and International Space Station crews inside the station today partially retracted a solar array and prepared for the third spacewalk that will focus on repair of a damaged thermal blanket on the shuttle and assisting "on the scene" with additional retraction of the array.
NASA STS-117 Status Report #14
(15 June 2007) Astronauts on space shuttle Atlantis are only hours from the week's third spacewalk out of the International Space Station, a 6 1/2-hour excursion to repair a thermal blanket on the orbiter and assist in folding up a solar array on the station.
NGC Provides Powerful Radar Support to NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis Launch
(13 June 2007) Three powerful radars supplied by Northrop Grumman Corporation provided valuable data about debris during this week's lift-off of the space shuttle Atlantis from Launch Pad 39A in support of STS-117, a mission to deliver truss segment and solar arrays to the International Space Station.
Team Ares Reaches Key Milestones on Ares I Upper Stage Risk Reduction Efforts
(13 June 2007) As part of their Ares I Upper Stage production proposal, the three core companies that make-up Team Ares - Alliant Techsystems, Lockheed Martin, and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc. - have been utilising internal company funds that will help NASA mitigate the development risk for its future fleet of exploration launch vehicles.
Third Pair Of Massive Lockheed Martin Solar Arrays Begin Providing Power To International Space Station
(12 June 2007) The third of four pairs of massive solar arrays and a second Solar Alpha Rotary Joint (SARJ), built by Lockheed Martin at its Space Systems facility in Sunnyvale, have been installed on the International Space Station by the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis.

Space Tourism
Astrium Rockets Into Space Tourism - Revolutionary Space Vehicle Unveiled
(13 June 2007) Astrium has unveiled a revolutionary new vehicle for space tourism at a special VIP event in Paris ahead of the Le Bourget Airshow.

Technology
ESA Takes Steps Toward Quantum Communications
(12 June 2007) A team of European scientists has proved within an ESA study that the weird quantum effect called 'entanglement' remains intact over a distance of 144 kilometres.
High Speed Success at Woomera
(15 June 2007) Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has today successfully launched one of the world's fastest air-breathing engine experiments, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Mr Peter Lindsay announced.

Launch Services
Sea Launch Concludes Investigation of Launch Failure
(11 June 2007) The Sea Launch Failure Review Oversight Board (FROB) has concluded its review of the findings of an interagency CIS Joint Commission, which has been investigating the cause of the unsuccessful launch of January 30, 2007.

In Orbit
SES Astra and Verhaert Space Secure ESA Contract to Run Belgian Ground Station
(15 June 2007) SES Astra, an SES company, and Verhaert Space, a QinetiQ company, have secured a major long-term service agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) to maintain and operate the Belgian satellite ground station in Redu.
USN Completes Launch Services for Italian Earth Observation Satellite
(14 June 2007) Universal Space Network, Inc. (USN), a leading provider of space operations and ground control and communications services, announced today the successful conclusion of its support for the Launch and Early Orbit (LEOP) of the Italian satellite, COSMO-SkyMed.
Verhaert Space Win Strengthens QinetiQ Space Business
(15 June 2007) Verhaert Space, the leading Belgian space system operator acquired by QinetiQ in 2005, has secured a major long-term service agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) to maintain and operate the Redu satellite ground station in Belgium, in partnership with SES Astra, an SES company.

Launches
Ofek 7
TerraSAR-X
NRO L-30R (NOSS-3-F4A, NOSS-3-F4B)
Launch Schedule

Business
Astrium Services Signs Distribution Agreement With Iridium Satellite
(11 June 2007) Iridium Satellite today announced that Astrium Services, a subsidiary of EADS Astrium, has signed an agreement to become a value-added reseller (VAR) of Iridium satellite communication equipment and services.
Broadcom to Acquire Global Locate, a Provider of Industry-Leading GPS Chips and Software
(12 June 2007) Broadcom Corporation, a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Global Locate, Inc., a privately-held, fabless provider of industry-leading global positioning system (GPS) and assisted GPS (A-GPS) semiconductor products and software.
Stratos Shareholders Approve Acquisition by CIP Canada
(12 June 2007) Stratos Global Corporation today announced shareholder approval of the plan of arrangement between Stratos and CIP Canada Investment Inc. by which CIP Canada will acquire all of Stratos' outstanding shares for a cash price of Cdn$7.00 per share.

Products and Services
Globalstar Expands Satellite Data Coverage Throughout All of Australia, New Zealand and Surrounding Maritime Region
(13 June 2007) Globalstar, Inc., a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government, and individuals, today announced that it has expanded its satellite Simplex data coverage to include all of Australia, New Zealand and the surrounding maritime region.
Identec Solutions Develops Satellite Assisted RFID Tag Technology
(11 June 2007) Identec Solutions, the global leader in wireless tracking and tracing solutions that include award-winning intelligent long-range active RFID technology, announces the release of the first independently intelligent RFID tag.
Marlink Previews New Line Of Global Maritime Broadband VSAT Service
(13 June 2007) Marlink, a leading supplier of integrated satellite communications equipment and network services, today previewed VSAT@SEA, the company's a new line of global maritime broadband satellite services enabling "always-on" at sea connectivity at a fixed monthly rate.

Events
Government Agencies Represented More Than Half of New Satellite Business in 2006 According To Survey Conducted At ISCe 2007
(13 June 2007) Hannover Fairs USA, Inc. and Futron Corporation today announced results of their annual satellite industry survey conducted during the International Satellite Communications exchange (ISCe 2007) that concluded here today.
New Swedish Balloon and Rocket Programs
(11 June 2007) Last week, 250 scientists, engineers and experts gathered for an international space conference in Visby, Sweden.

People
Globalstar Announces Megan Fitzgerald to Resign
(13 June 2007) Globalstar, Inc., a leading provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, government, and individuals, today announced the resignation of Megan Fitzgerald, effective August 17, 2007. Globalstar expects to complete the launch of four additional Globalstar satellites prior to her departure.
Leadership Assignments Strengthen Spacehab for Future
(12 June 2007) Spacehab, Incorporated, a leading provider of commercial space services, today announced the appointments of James D. Royston to the position of Spacehab President; Michael Bowker as Chief Operating Officer; Roscoe M. Moore, III, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategic and Technical Officer; and, Brian H. Harris as Vice President, Business Development.