Headlines 20 July 2008

Satcoms
Integral Systems Europe To Provide Carrier Monitoring And Interference Detection Capability To Telenor
(14 July 2008) ISE (Integral Systems Europe) announces the delivery and installation of a fully integrated CSM (Carrier Signal Monitoring) and transponder planning system for the THOR family of satellites at Telenor Satellite Broadcasting AS facilities in Nittedal, Norway.
Primus Offers HughesNet Broadband Satellite Service
(16 July 2008) Primus Telecommunications, Inc. today announced that it has executed an agreement with Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) to resell HughesNet broadband satellite Internet service to Primus customers in the continental United States and Puerto Rico.
Telecomunicaciones Bantel Selects iDirect Platform To Offer GSM Satellite Backhaul In Venezuela
(15 July 2008) VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems Inc (VT Systems), announced today that Telecomunicaciones Bantel (Bantel) has installed a network of iDirect Series 3000 Remote Satellite Routers, enabling Corporacion Digitel (Digitel) to expand cellular access within Venezuela by backhauling GSM traffic over satellite.
The Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group Opposes UTC Request for Terrestrial Fixed Services Allocation
(17 July 2008) The Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group (SUIRG) has filed a position paper with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opposing a recent petition for allowing terrestrial services in the Ku-band.

Broadcast
Latens To Protect Digicable's 12 Million Subscribers
(15 July 2008) Latens, the leading provider of downloadable software conditional access (CA) for digital Pay-TV, today announces that it has been awarded the contract to provide its Latens BCAS next generation conditional access system to Digicable Network (India) to protect and enable a national broadcast cable Pay-TV network with an estimated subscriber base of over 12 million.
SES Astra Orders New Satellite From Astrium
(15 July 2008) SES Astra, an SES company, announced today that it awarded the construction of a new satellite, Astra 1N, to the European satellite manufacturer Astrium.
SES Astra Signs First Deal At New Orbital Position With German Cable Operators
(16 July 2008) SES Astra, an SES company, today announced that it has signed a long-term agreement with a company representing the independent German cable operators to transmit digital Free-to-Air TV to their networks.
SkyLife Broadens Relationship With NDS By Selecting VideoGuard And MediaHighway For New HD Service
(13 July 2008) NDS, the leading provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV, today announced that Korea Digital Satellite Broadcasting Co. Ltd., (SkyLife), Korea's first and only satellite pay-TV operator, has extended its long-standing relationship with NDS by selecting market-leading VideoGuard conditional access (CA) technology and MediaHighway middleware for its new HDTV service.

Earth Observation
4C Controls Inc. Has Selected Thales Alenia Space Italia S.P.A. As Prime Contractor For The In-Orbit Delivery Of Two High Resolution SAR Satellites With Related Ground Segment
(17 July 2008) 4C Controls Inc. today announced that it has selected for negotiation Thales Alenia Space Italia S.P.A. (TASI) as the prime contractor for the in-orbit delivery of the first two satellites with related Ground Segment of the planned 4C Controls' satellites constellation.
ESA Launches Programme In Support Of Earth Observation Science
(15 July 2008) Since the advent of Earth observation from space, satellite missions have become central to monitoring and learning about how the Earth works, resulting in significant progress in a broad range of scientific areas.
Ocean Surface A Boon For Extreme Event Forecasts, Warnings
(16 July 2008) For humans in the path of destructive hurricanes and tsunamis, an accurate warning of the pending event is critical for damage control and survival.
Satellite Observations Help Lessen The Effects Of Heatwaves In Urban Areas
(17 July 2008) When heatwaves strike, it's far more difficult to cope with stifling temperatures in built-up areas than it is out in the countryside.

Navigation
Raytheon Leads Team Bidding On Indian Satellite-Based Navigation System
(15 July 2008) Raytheon Company is leading a team to deliver a comprehensive solution for the Indian Space Research Organization and Airports Authority of India global navigation satellite systems.

Military Space
ViaSat Receives US$ 9.8 Million Order For MIDS JTRS Production Transition Terminals
(17 July 2008) ViaSat Inc. has been awarded a US$ 9.8 million order for Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) Production Transition Terminals (PTTs).

Astronomy
BAE Systems Computers Handle Processing On NASA GLAST Mission
(14 July 2008) BAE Systems computers will enable a new NASA satellite to examine gamma rays, the most intense form of radiation in the universe.

Stars
Brightest Star In The Galaxy Has New Competition
(15 July 2008) A contender for the title of brightest star in our Milky Way galaxy has been unearthed in the dusty metropolis of the galaxy's centre.
XMM-Newton Discovers The Star That Everyone Missed
(18 July 2008) XMM-Newton has discovered an exploding star in the Milky Way.

Black Holes
A New Way To Weigh Giant Black Holes
(16 July 2008) How do you weigh the biggest black holes in the universe?

Venus
Closing In On Venus
(17 July 2008) Starting this week, spacecraft controllers have been executing a series of manoeuvres to gradually bring Venus Express closer to its host planet.

Earth
ESA To Consult The Science Community On Earth Explorer Selection
(17 July 2008) As part of the Agency's user-driven approach to preparing new Earth Explorer missions to advance our understanding of the Earth system, six candidate missions will be presented to the science community at a User Consultation Meeting in January 2009.
NASA's Deep Impact Films Earth As An Alien World
(17 July 2008) NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft has created a video of the moon transiting (passing in front of) Earth as seen from the spacecraft's point of view 50 million kilometres (31 million miles) away.
UCF Project Selected For NASA Explorer Mission
(15 July 2008) NASA last week selected a University of Central Florida project that will measure the temperature and make-up of the Earth's outer atmosphere as one of two missions of opportunity under its Explorer science space program.

Mars
Mars Express To Rendezvous With Martian Moon
(16 July 2008) Scientists and engineers are preparing ESA's Mars Express for a pair of close fly-bys of the Martian moon Phobos.
MSSS Delivers First Science Instrument To JPL For 2009 Mars Rover Mission Payload
(17 July 2008) Malin Space Science Systems, Inc. (MSSS), has delivered the first of four science cameras it is developing for the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover mission.
NASA Spacecraft Shows Diverse, Wet Environments On Ancient Mars
(16 July 2008) Two studies based on data from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have revealed that the Red Planet once hosted vast lakes, flowing rivers and a variety of other wet environments that had the potential to support life.
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander To Begin Rasping Frozen Layer
(15 July 2008) A powered rasp on the back of the robotic arm scoop of NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander is being tested for the first time on Mars in gathering sample shavings of ice.

Manned Space
First Hubble Flight Hardware Arrives At Kennedy For STS-125
(16 July 2008) The first major flight hardware for the fifth and final space shuttle servicing mission to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is starting to arrive at the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., to begin preparations for its targeted October launch.
Heads Of Agency International Space Station Joint Statement
(17 July 2008) The heads of the International Space Station (ISS) agencies from Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States met at European Space Agency (ESA) Headquarters in Paris on July 17, 2008, to review ISS co-operation.
NASA Assigns Crew For Equipment Delivery Mission To Space Station
(16 July 2008) NASA has assigned the crew for space shuttle mission STS-128. The flight will carry science and storage racks to the International Space Station.
Second flight For ESA Astronaut Christer Fuglesang
(17 July 2008) ESA astronaut Christer Fuglesang from Sweden has been assigned as a Mission Specialist on board the 11-day STS-128 mission, currently scheduled for launch with Space Shuttle Atlantis to the International Space Station (ISS) on 30 July 2009.
Space Agencies Continue Co-Ordination Of Exploration Plans
(14 July 2008) Representatives of 11 space agencies from around the world gathered in Montréal, Canada 10 - 12 July to continue the co-ordination of programmes to extend human and robotic presence throughout the Solar System.
The International Space Station, A Test-Bed For Future Space Exploration
(17 July 2008) The Heads of the International Space Station (ISS) Agencies from Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States met today at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France, to review ISS co-operation.

Technology
Small Businesses To Fly New Technologies On Zero-Gravity Flights
(15 July 2008) NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program has selected seven Small Business Innovation Research program, or SBIR, companies to participate in reduced-gravity test flights in early September.
Valley Forge Composite Technologies Aerospace Subsidiary To Introduce Satellite Space Platforms To Major Aerospace Companies And Universities
(17 July 2008) Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. announced today the company's plans to introduce a cost effective satellite space platform/bus.

Launch Services
AMC-21 Is Delivered To The Spaceport For Ariane 5's Upcoming Heavy-Lift Mission
(17 July 2008) The second of two satellites for Ariane 5's next flight has arrived at Europe's Spaceport as Arianespace continues its sustained mission pace in 2008.

Launch Services - EchoStar 11
Sea Launch Successfully Delivers EchoStar XI To Orbit
(16 July 2008) Sea Launch Company has successfully launched the EchoStar XI broadcast satellite from its ocean-based platform on the Equator, marking its fourth successful mission of 2008 and its third mission for DISH Network.
Space Systems/Loral-Built EchoStar XI Satellite Deploys Solar Arrays On Schedule
(16 July 2008) Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, and the world's leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, today announced that the EchoStar XI satellite, built for DISH Network, deployed its solar arrays early this morning, following its successful launch last night from Sea Launch's Odyssey Launch Platform on the equator in the Pacific Ocean.

In Orbit
Newpoint Technologies Announces Nasa Achievement Award And Successful Space Network Management System Spiral 2 Delivery
(14 July 2008) Newpoint Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Integral Systems, Inc., and a recognised leader in Network Management and Remote Site Monitoring solutions, announced today that its Spiral 2 Delivery to Honeywell of Compass Software for NASA's Space Network successfully completed acceptance testing in April and the Delivery team received a NASA Group Achievement Award in May.

Launches
EchoStar 11
Launch Schedule

Reports
Chinese Satellite Market To Generate 5.3% Rate Of Growth Despite Regulatory And Business Hurdles
(15 July 2008) NSR today released its newest market survey and forecast report: "China Satellite Markets: Assessment of Commercial Satellite Transponder Demand in China, Hong Kong and Macau."

Business
Secure World Foundation Receives United Nations Permanent Observer Status
(8 July 2008) The Secure World Foundation announced today that it has received Permanent Observer status within the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Products and Services
ASC Signal Launches New 4.6 Metre Trifold Antenna
(16 July 2008) ASC Signal Corporation, (formerly Andrew Corporation Satellite Communications Group), announces the launch of its new 4.6 Metre Trifold Transportable antenna. It is F-1 and E-2 Ka-band compliant, and available to customers around the world.
ATCi Introduces Affordable Flyaway Antenna Package Tailored For Southeast Asia Applications
(18 July 2008) Antenna Technology Communications Inc. (ATCi), a provider of ground-based commercial satellite communications systems and services, announced the introduction of its specialised 2-channel flyaway broadcast system geared toward the specific applications in Southeast Asia.
SkyWave Introduces New Dual-Mode IsatM2M Satellite/GPRS Terminal With On-board Computer For Enhanced Fleet Tracking Applications
(17 July 2008) SkyWave Mobile Communications, a global provider of two-way Inmarsat satellite products and services, today has introduced the SureLinx 8100c Satellite/GPRS terminal.
Thuraya Releases New Portable Broadband Terminal With Video Streaming Capability
(16 July 2008) A new A-5 sized 444 kb/s broadband terminal with advanced video streaming capability is the new competitive product launched by Thuraya, world leading mobile satellite operator, this week, as part of its ongoing products innovation strategy.

Events
Bridging The Gap Between Space And Society-Helping Regions To Access The Benefits Of Satellite Information And Services
(16 July 2008) The half-day conference "Regional Policy: Benefits from Satellite Information and Services" to be held in Brussels, on the morning of 11th September 2008, is the mid-term event of Eurisy's 5-year programme supporting Local and Regional Authorities to improve their access to the benefits of space technology.
Space-Tech Solutions For Water And Sustainability
(16 July 2008) Tomorrow INASMET-Tecnalia and ESA is holding a workshop on space innovation for water management at an event billed as the "biggest water festival on Earth".

People
Mobile Satellite Ventures Names Susan Miller Senior Vice President for Satellite Services
(17 July 2008) Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) today announced the appointment of Susan Miller, a 20-plus year veteran of the satellite services industry, to the position of senior vice president for satellite services.
NASA Names Strain New Goddard Space Flight Center Director
(17 July 2008) NASA Administrator Michael Griffin on Thursday announced that Rob Strain will be the next centre director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Strain is currently the head of the Space Department at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab in Laurel, Md. He will assume his duties as centre director on Aug. 4.

Headlines 13 July 2008

Satcoms
Ciel Satellite Receives Approval In Principle To Develop Six Canadian Spectrum Licences
Comtech Telecommunications Corp. Awarded US$ 2.5 Million Of Orders For SATCOM High Power Amplifiers
Globecast Renews SES New Skies Satellite Capacity For The Americas And Europe
Globecomm Systems Awarded Multiple Contracts From A Global Multilateral Organisation Valued at Approximately US$ 9.1 Million
Hughes To Provide Broadband Satellite System For Spanish Lottery
Microspace Digital Cinema Experiences 200% Growth In Less Than One Year
Mobile Satellite Ventures And Boeing Amend Satellite System Procurement Contract
Space Systems/Loral-Built ProtoStar I Satellite Successfully Performs Post-Launch Manoeuvres
Thales Alenia Space To Co-Operate With IAI In The Amos-4 Satellite
Space Systems/Loral Selected To Provide Powerful Communications Satellite To Hispasat Group
The Piedmont Region And Eutelsat Communications Announce A Shared Commitment To Bridge The Digital Divide
ViaSat Expands Global Ku-band Mobile Broadband Satellite Communications Network For Business Aviation, Airlines, Maritime, Land Mobile & Government
WildBlue Upgrades Its Satellite Internet Network, Increasing Capacity By Over 31 Percent

Broadcast
Intelsat Transmits Spain's Euro 2008 Victory Games In HD To Millions Of Viewers
RRsat Signs An Agreement With WatchIndia For Internet Distribution Of A Package Of Indian TV Channels

Earth Observation
General Dynamics Ships GeoEye-1 Satellite To Launch Site
GeoEye's Next-Generation Satellite Arrives At Vandenberg Air Force Base, California For Launch On Aug. 22, 2008
NASA Mission To Be Crystal Ball Into Oceans' Future, Mirror To The Past
Ocean Wind Power Maps Reveal Possible Wind Energy Sources
Raytheon Submits Proposal For NOAA Environmental Satellite Ground Segment
Satellite View Of Cloud Tops Might Warn Of Storms Brewing
Thales Alenia Space To Deliver Very-High-Resolution Optical Imaging Instrument To Astrium

Military Space
Americom Government Services To Host U.S. Air Force Payload
General Dynamics Awarded US$ 9 Million Contract For Satellite Communication Encryption And Telemetry Technologies

Science
Magellan Aerospace Delivers CASSIOPE Small Satellite Bus To MDA

Astronomy
"MAGIC" Reveals The Transparency Of The Universe

Stars
Rare 'Star-Making Machine' Found In Distant Universe
What's My Age? Mystery Star Cluster Has 3 Different Birthdays

Moon
Brown-Led Team Finds Evidence Of Water In Moon's Interior
Moon Water Discovered: Dampens Moon-Formation Theory

Mars
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander Uses Soil Probe And Swiss Scope

Asteroids
Study Puts Solar Spin On Asteroids, Their Moons & Earth Impacts

Extra-Solar Planets
Open Clusters Like Orion Have Low Fertility Rate
Radio Observations Of Orion Nebula Indicate Small Fraction Of Sun-Like Stars Can Harbour Jupiter-Sized Planets

Manned Space
NASA And ESA Complete Comparative Exploration Architecture Study
NASA Sets Launch Dates For Remaining Space Shuttle Missions

Technology
Schurter Is Europe's Only Manufacturer Of An ESA/ESCC Qualified Fuse For Use In Space

Launch Services - Badr-6, Protostar 1
Ariane 5 Orbits Protostar I And BADR-6 On Its Fourth Mission Of 2008
Another Successful Arianespace Launch: Protostar I And BADR-6 Are In Orbit
Ariane 5 - Two More Telecommunications Satellites Launched

Launches
Badr-6, ProtoStar 1
Launch Schedule

Business
Balaton Group To Acquire MotoSAT, Leading Provider Of Satellite Antenna Solutions
Czech Republic Accedes To The ESA Convention
SES To Create New Segment Encompassing Two Of Its Satellite Operating Entities

People
CapRock Communications Names David Cavossa VP Of SATCOM Division For Arrowhead Global Solutions
Diane Murphy Joins SpaceX As Vice President Of Marketing And Communications
Integral Systems Appoints John B. Higginbotham To Chief Executive Officer
Sea Launch Transitions To New Leadership

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