MICROCOM'S SPACE NEWSFEED 16 June 2002<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Brought to you by Microcom Systems Ltd, consultants in satellite communications since 1985. http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />Publishers of the Handbook of Satellite Services in Europe, the definitive guide to European satellite communications and broadcast services, providing extensive data on operators, services and service providers, satellites, technology, regulators and regulations in more than forty European countries. The most comprehensive sourcebook available on European satellite communications and broadcasting. http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/pubs/ssie.html<br /><br />For the most extensive directory of space industry links on the web visit http://www.satellite-links.co.uk<br /><br />White papers covering some of the key networking technologies in satellite communications today, including: interactive hubbed VSATs, meshed VSATs, telephony VSATs, Internet connectivity and broadband satellites available free on Microcom's website at http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/white.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />CONTENTS<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SATCOMS:<br />ADC International to Provide Global Satellite Communications to US Government<br />British Airways to Trial Connexion by Boeing<br />Globecomm Systems Awarded US$ 2.6 Million Follow on Contract<br />HNS Europe Signs Bridge Broadband as DirecWay Wholesale Distributor<br />HNS Europe Signs Maqsat as Provider of DirecWay Broadband Services<br />Norsat Announces Agreement with Quick Link Communications<br />Sirius Satellite Radio First to Introduce Next Generation of Sound-Enhancing Technology<br />SOLA Communications Chooses EMS Technologies' PDT-100 as Satellite Terminal For WebSat Solutions<br /><br />NAVIGATION:<br />Digital Angel To Supply GPS-Based Offender Tracking Systems<br /><br />SCIENCE:<br />NASA Selects Instrument and Science Team for Next Generation Space Telescope<br /><br />MANNED SPACE:<br />Spacehab Announces Agreement with Major Space Station Research Customer<br /><br />LAUNCH SERVICES:<br />ILS to Launch Loral-Built MBSAT on Next-Generation Atlas<br />NASA Extends Shuttle External Tank Contract With Lockheed Martin<br />NASA Selects ILS to Launch Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2005<br /><br />LAUNCHES:<br />Express A1R<br />Galaxy IIIC<br />Launch Schedule<br /><br />BUSINESS:<br />Scopus Opens Moscow Office<br /><br />PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:<br />KVH Industries Launches Global Satellite Communications Service<br />New Helius Router Provides Full Routing and Network Services For Users of Hughes DirecWay Two-Way<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />European Satellites For Security, 18-19 June 2002, Brussels.<br /><br />Inaugurated by Dr. Javier Solana, General Secretary European Council and EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy.<br /><br />It will bring together top Governmental, Military and Commercial figures driving Europe's Space Security Policy. What are Europe's Security and Defence requirements and what are the practical challenges for implementation? See www.eyeforspace.com<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Bolton Associates - Corporate Strategies applies 21st. Century thinking for the Earth Observation, SatCom and Environment Industries that penetrate new markets using creative commercial Risk models and innovation.<br /><br />Visit us at http://www.BoltonAssociates.com and/or download our Power Point presentation http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/ads/EOConsult.ppt [131Kb]<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SATCOMS<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ADC International to Provide Global Satellite Communications to US Government<br /><br />(11 June 2002) ADC International has been selected by the US Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), as one of five awardees, to provide equipment, airtime service and maintenance for DISA's International Maritime Satellite Network (Inmarsat) for the Department of Defense and other government agencies.<br /><br />The 10-year firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/quantity contract is valued at $1 Billion. The contract requires a full range of Inmarsat equipment and services, including access to voice, data, messaging and paging capabilities, globally 24x7 for military and federal government agencies.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />British Airways to Trial Connexion by Boeing<br /><br />(13 June 2002) British Airways is to install Connexion by Boeing in its First, Club World and World Traveller Plus cabins for a trial period of three months.<br /><br />Connexion by Boeing provides the broadband technology which allows air travellers to use their own lap top computers at 35,000 ft and surf the Internet, send e-mails with attachments and access their own corporate intranets.<br /><br />The technology could also provide British Airways with the capability to broadcast live TV and radio shows - all in flight. The new system will allow travellers to send real-time e-mails at ten times the speed of traditional e-mail connections.<br /><br />The trial, due to begin in February 2003, follows extensive research of British Airways passengers about the benefits of e-mail and Internet access in the air.<br /><br />The research showed that 75% of business travellers take laptops on board with them and most of those who carried laptops were extremely or very interested in having Internet access during a flight.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Globecomm Systems Awarded US$ 2.6 Million Follow on Contract<br /><br />(10 June 2002) Globecomm Systems Inc has been awarded a US$ 2.6 million follow on contract in connection with its previously announced US$ 9.0 million Shoreline Multi-Service IP network contract.<br /><br />In October 2001, Globecomm announced a US$ 9.0 million multi-service Internet Protocol network solution contract with Shoreline Communications Ltd, to deliver the company's full spectrum (voice, video, data, Internet, wireless, and entertainment services) of satellite-based broadband communications solutions throughout the Kingdom of Tonga, located in the South Pacific. The US$ 2.6 million contract is for equipment and services for Shoreline's roll out of services to be deployed throughout the Kingdom.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />HNS Europe Signs Bridge Broadband as DirecWay Wholesale Distributor<br /><br />(10 June 2002) Hughes Network Systems Europe (HNSE) has signed Bridge Broadband Ltd as a wholesale distributor of DirecWay broadband Internet access services to ISPs and other value-added distributors in the United Kingdom.<br /><br />Bridge Broadband, a subsidiary of Flexia Plc, will offer DirecWay service to providers wishing to deliver their own broadband access to end customers. Bridge will provide UK ISPs and broadband distributors with all the benefits of DirecWay broadband by satellite service using compact, two-way satellite terminals from Hughes. These terminals operate without requiring local loop access and enable rapid implementation of one to multi-site networks, including enterprise-wide VPNs (virtual private networks).<br /><br />Bridge Broadband is one of the Flexia Plc companies formed to provide high-speed broadband Internet access to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK through a network of approved resellers.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />HNS Europe Signs Maqsat as Provider of DirecWay Broadband Services<br /><br />(12 June 2002) Hughes Network Systems Europe (HNSE) has announced that Maqsat Satellite Communications BV has signed on to offer DirecWay two-way, high-speed Internet services to small- and medium-sized businesses throughout Western and Eastern Europe.<br /><br />Already a reseller of Hughes products, Maqsat will now be able to provide complete broadband access solutions to their customers throughout the region. DirecWay broadband by satellite service is available in either single user or LAN terminal configurations, with scalable grades of service to satisfy consumer through enterprise-wide requirements.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Norsat Announces Agreement with Quick Link Communications<br /><br />(12 June 2002) Quick Link Communications Ltd (Quick Link) is to purchase up to 500 VSAT Ku band terminals for broadband communication to remote locations, primarily in the oil and gas industry from Norsat International. Quick Link offers the only hybrid fibre, teleport and satellite network in Canada. The initial shipments of VSAT Ku band terminals commenced in June.<br /><br />The agreement includes plans to co-operatively produce competitive and differentiated Ku band terminals for the high-end commercial VSAT market which will be geared to deliver a superior Telco independent service. A secondary objective of the partnership will involve Quick Link and Norsat working together to develop and promote next generation VSAT solutions.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Sirius Satellite Radio First to Introduce Next Generation of Sound-Enhancing Technology<br /><br />(10 June 2002) Sirius Satellite Radio will introduce a new, advanced audio enhancing technology in time for its US-wide service roll out on July 1.<br /><br />This new version of the PAC v4 Audio Codec, developed by iBiquity Digital, is derived from a series of unique technologies that include the latest generation of psychoacoustic modelling, based on a deeper understanding of hearing physiology.<br /><br />According to iBiquity, this new version of PAC v4 Audio Codec is the most advanced audio compression software available on the market, and a significant advance over the previous generation of perceptual codecs. It responds rapidly to the dynamics of audio signals to provide an 'open sound-stage' effect, with a high dynamic range and stereo separation. It also uses a sophisticated model for encoding audio signal harmonics to achieve higher coding efficiency for complex signals.<br /><br />In addition to the psychoacoustic modelling, the technology incorporates unique features such as an adaptive filtering capability and efficient multi- stage noiseless coding.<br /><br />Designed by a research team led by Dr Sinha, and formulated to work hand- in-hand with Sirius' S>PLEX technology, this new version of PAC v4 provides optimum sound quality for all channels, while maintaining maximum bandwidth efficiency.<br /><br />S>PLEX is the sophisticated system, deployed by Sirius, which allocates bandwidth in real-time to music channels with more demanding sound, such as classical, jazz, and rock.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SOLA Communications Chooses EMS Technologies' PDT-100 as Satellite Terminal For WebSat Solutions<br /><br />(11 June 2002) SOLA Communications Inc, EMS Technologies Inc and Mobile Satellite Ventures announced today a partnership to provide a satellite communications solution to gather information from remote locations in such industries as oil and gas, environmental, electrical utilities, and public safety. SOLA has created a suite of six WebSat solutions that have applications for process monitoring, fence line monitoring, asset tracking and personnel safety.<br /><br />The WebSat solution incorporates the EMS Technologies' Packet Data Terminal (PDT-100) as the satellite terminal. Employing a satellite terminal for communication offers numerous advantages over terrestrial communications, such as universal coverage that is impervious to weather conditions, and minimal start-up costs.<br /><br />The WebSat solution operates over the Mobile Satellite Venture's MSAT-1 satellite network, and offers full coverage throughout all of North America, Central America and northern South America.<br /><br />WebSat has six system options allowing customers to select the configuration that best fits their requirements. For oil and gas applications, WebSat solutions improve Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, allowing remote gathering of information such as pipeline flow, cathodic protection devices monitoring, upstream remote refinery monitoring and even remote control of valves and compressors.<br /><br />Remote water flow, level, temperature and pressure monitoring are a few of the possibilities for environmental applications of the WebSat products. Other functionality includes pump and valve measurements, hydrometric measurement of water, and data collection from unmanned weather stations.<br /><br />Electrical utilities could monitor and control geographically dispersed substations, distribution switches and co-generation units from a central facility. With the satellite component of WebSat, users could, from their desktops, perform asset tracking of vehicles and remote installations anywhere in North America.<br /><br />In the field of public safety, WebSat allows the monitoring of hazardous goods shipments, as well as emergency broadcasts to personnel and facilities anywhere on the continent. WebSat also provides lone-worker protection functionality.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NAVIGATION<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Digital Angel To Supply GPS-Based Offender Tracking Systems<br /><br />(11 June 2002) Digital Angel Corporation has formed a partnership with BI Incorporated, one of the USA’s largest offender-monitoring firms, to supply GPS-based tracking products for the criminal justice field under a long-term agreement.<br /><br />The satellite-based systems will utilise Digital Angel Corp.'s GPS and wireless technology platforms and state-of-the-art network hosting operations centres.<br /><br />The agreement gives BI Incorporated, a leading provider of electronic monitoring and treatment services for community-based parolees and probationers, rights to incorporate Digital Angel Corp's advanced GPS technology and wireless platforms into products that will allow continuous 24/7 monitoring of offenders who are under community supervision.<br /><br />The Digital Angel product will complement BI Inc's current monitoring solutions, including the HomeGuard 200 electronic monitoring system that monitors the absence or presence of an offender in the home; VoiceID, a voice verification system that monitors offender schedules through a series of calls daily; and Sobrietor, a remote alcohol testing device which relays results via the phone. Each of these devices helps ensure that offenders comply with court or agency sanctions, resulting in improved public safety.<br /><br />The GPS system's availability dates and specific features will be released later this year.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SCIENCE<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Selects Instrument and Science Team for Next Generation Space Telescope<br /><br />(10 June 2002) NASA has selected a team led by the University of Arizona, Tucson, to provide the primary near-infrared science camera for the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST), NASA's successor to the Hubble Space Telescope.<br /><br />Scheduled for launch in 2010, the new telescope's primary science objective will be to look back to an extremely important period in the early history of the Universe when the first stars and galaxies began to form shortly after the big bang.<br /><br />To achieve this goal, the NGST will require much more light-gathering capability than Hubble, meaning it will need a much larger primary mirror. At approximately 6 meters in diameter, NGST's primary mirror will be more than two-and-a-half times as large as the Hubble telescope, which is scheduled for "retirement" in 2010 after a 20-year mission in space.<br /><br />In addition to a large light-gathering mirror, NGST will need to operate at near- and mid-infrared wavelengths to better detect the light from extremely distant and faint objects. NGST will study infrared (heat) emissions from objects that formed when the Universe was between one million and a few billion years old. It will be capable of seeing objects 400 times fainter than those currently studied with large ground-based telescopes or the current generation of space-based infrared telescopes. Its tennis-court-size sunshade will help eliminate heat from the sun, which is necessary for reducing heat "pollution" from the surrounding environment.<br /><br />The telescope will be built by an industry team that NASA will select later this summer.<br /><br />The winning primary camera team includes members from the University of Arizona; Lockheed-Martin Advanced Technology Center, Palo Alto; EMS Technologies, Ottawa, Canada; and ComDev, Cambridge, Canada, and will be led by Dr Marcia Rieke of the University of Arizona. In addition to selecting the main imaging camera, NASA has chosen the US portion of an international team that will construct a mid-infrared instrument. The members of this team are Dr. Thomas Greene, NASA's Ames Research Center.; Dr Margaret Meixner, University of Illinois; and Dr George Rieke, University of Arizona.<br /><br />These scientists, lead by Dr George Rieke, will work in collaboration with scientists and engineers led by Dr Gene Serabyn from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the European Space Agency to enable NGST to see farther into the infrared portion of the spectrum. This capability will permit NGST to study stars forming inside dense clouds of interstellar dust that block Hubble's vision.<br /><br />NGST is managed for NASA by the Goddard Space Flight Center.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />MANNED SPACE<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Spacehab Announces Agreement with Major Space Station Research Customer<br /><br />(11 June 2002) Spacehab Inc has announced that its venture with RSC Energia, Space Station Enterprise LLC, has finalised a contract agreement to fly a research facility onboard the Enterprise module.<br /><br />Enterprise, a commercial module designed to meet research, stowage, crew support, habitation and multimedia needs on the International Space Station (ISS), will provide on-orbit accommodations for a highly specialised Scanning Probe Microscope for Microgravity (SPMM) for the Florida Space Research Institute (FSRI). Currently scheduled to be launched in 2006, this equipment will support scientists working on advanced materials, nanostructures, biotechnology, and other microgravity experiments.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />LAUNCH SERVICES<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ILS to Launch Loral-Built MBSAT on Next-Generation Atlas<br /><br />(11 June 2002) International Launch Services (ILS) has signed an agreement with Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for launch of a satellite that will provide services to mobile users in Japan and South Korea.<br /><br />The satellite, MBSAT, is set for launch in the fourth quarter of next year on a Lockheed Martin Atlas III vehicle from Cape Canaveral, Florida.<br /><br />The MBSAT spacecraft is a version of SS/L's space-proven three-axis, body-stabilised, 1300 bus, as are the three SS/L satellites that ILS is launching this year.<br /><br />Two Atlas III vehicles have flown, both successfully, and the Atlas V is scheduled to begin launching in July.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Extends Shuttle External Tank Contract With Lockheed Martin<br /><br />(12 June 2002) NASA has extended to September 2008 its six-year, US$ 1.15 billion contract with Lockheed Martin Space Systems, New Orleans, to provide 35 Super Lightweight External Tanks for the Space Shuttle Program.<br /><br />Under the modified contract, the 35 tanks will be produced at a rate of not less than six per year, versus the eight per year agreed upon in the original contract issued in October 2000. The modification adds US$ 341 million to the contract.<br /><br />The contract includes the manufacture, assembly, test and delivery of the Super Lightweight Tanks and the operations and maintenance of NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The contract also includes activities at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Kennedy Space Center. This is the sixth contract for production of tanks and the first to be comprised totally of Super Lightweight Tanks.<br /><br />This latest version of the tank, which flew for the first time in June 1998, is the same size as the tank it replaces, but is about 3,402 kilograms lighter. Since the tank goes almost to orbit, every kg of weight saved is equivalent to a kg of increased payload. The weight reduction allows the Space Shuttle to carry more payload.<br /><br />The Super Lightweight Tank features major changes in materials and design. Its liquid hydrogen tank and the liquid oxygen tank are constructed of a new aluminium lithium, a lighter, stronger material than the metal alloy used to manufacture previous External Tanks.<br /><br />The External Tank, which holds the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen for the Shuttle's three main engines, is the largest single component of the Space Shuttle and the only part of the Shuttle that is not reused. Standing approximately 50 m tall, the gigantic rust-coloured tank is taller than a 15-story building and as wide as a silo, with a diameter of approximately 8 m.<br /><br />During launch, the tank also acts as the structural backbone for the Shuttle orbiter and Solid Rocket Boosters attached to it. The first tank of the sixth production is scheduled for delivery to the Kennedy Space Center this year.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Selects ILS to Launch Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in 2005<br /><br />(11 June 2002) NASA's Kennedy Space Center has chosen International Launch Services (ILS) to launch the latest in its series of missions to Mars.<br /><br />ILS is scheduled to launch the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter on an Atlas III launch vehicle in August 2005 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The Atlas is one of three families of rockets offered by ILS, which is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corp and two Russian companies, Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and RSC Energia of Moscow.<br /><br />ILS was formed to market and manage the missions for the Atlas and the Russian Proton and Angara vehicles.<br /><br />Both the Atlas rocket and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter are being built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems of Denver.<br /><br />The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will provide high-resolution remote sensing of Mars' surface for investigators to make science observations and select possible sites for future spacecraft landings. The orbiter also will provide telecommunications and navigation relay capability for follow-on missions.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />LAUNCHES<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Express A1R<br /><br />Launched: 10 June 2002<br />Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />Launcher: Proton/Block DM<br />Orbit: GEO, 40° E<br />International Number: 2002-029A<br />Name: Express A1R<br />Owner: Russian Satellite Communications Company<br />Contractor: NPO-PM<br /><br />Express A1R is a commercial communications satellite. It has a design life of 7 years.<br /><br />The satellite is a replacement for Express A1 which was lost in October 1999 when its Proton launcher failed a few minutes into flight and was destroyed.<br /><br />Express A1R's 12 C band, 5 Ku band and 1 L band transponders will handle television and radio broadcasting services, as well as mobile telephony, data transmission, video conferencing and high-speed Internet.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Galaxy IIIC<br /><br />Launched: 15 June 2002<br />Site: Sea Launch's Odyssey platform in the Pacific Ocean<br />Launcher: Zenit 3SL<br />Orbit: GEO, 95° W<br />International Number: 2002-030A<br />Name: Galaxy 3C<br />Owner: PanAmSat<br />Contractor: Boeing Space and Communications<br /><br />Galaxy IIIC is a commercial communications satellite.<br /><br />Galaxy IIIC carries 24 C band transponders and 53 Ku band transponders. The satellite's C band payload will transmit general telecommunications traffic such as voice, data and television relay. The Ku band transponders will transmit direct-to-user services such as cable television systems and Internet capabilities. It is based on Boeing’s 702 platform and has a mass of 4850 kg. The satellite’s design life is 15 years.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launch Schedule<br /><br />June: N-Star c, Stellat 5 on an Ariane 5 from CSG Kourou, French Guiana<br />June 19: Iridium (2 satellites) on a Rockot from Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Russia<br />June 22: EchoStar 8 on a Proton K from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />June 24: NOAA-M on a Titan 2 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California<br />June 26: Progress M-46 (8P) on a Soyuz-U from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />July 1: Contour on a Delta 2 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />July 19: Spacehab research laboratory (Freestar) on the Shuttle Columbia (STS-107) from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida<br />July 29: Hot Bird 6 on an Atlas 5 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />August: MSG-1 on an Ariane from CSG Kourou, French Guiana<br />August 1: Data Relay Test Satellite W on an H-2A from Tanegashima Space Center, Japan<br />August 6: classified NRO satellite on a Titan 4 (B-36) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />August 11: GPS 2R-8 on a Delta 2 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />August 14: GALEX on a Pegasus XL from Canaveral Spaceport, Florida<br />August 15: Astra 1K on a Proton from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />August 22: ISS 9A/BA, ITS S1 on the Shuttle Atlantis (STS-112) from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida<br />August 31: Eutelsat W5 on a Delta 4 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />August 31: Kypros Sat 1 on an Ariane from CSG Kourou, French Guiana<br />September: classified NRO satellite on an Atlas 2AS from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California<br />September 10: Progress M-47 (9P) on a Soyuz-U from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />BUSINESS<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Scopus Opens Moscow Office<br /><br />(10 June 2002) Scopus Network Technologies has opened an office in Moscow, Russia. During 2001, Scopus opened offices in Beijing, Mexico City, Sao Paolo and Ahmadabad, India.<br /><br />Scopus' fully staffed Moscow office will be responsible for Scopus activities throughout Russia and the CIS including sales and technical support to distributors and clients. Heading the new office will be Vadim Morosov, an engineer with more than 10 years of experience in electronics and broadcasting.<br /><br />In August 2001, Scopus announced a successful digital platform installation at Russia's Modern Humanities University (MHU) headquartered in Moscow. MHU is the largest non-governmental university level educational institution in the Russian Federation. Scopus has also installed platforms for regional networks in the Republic of Bashkarkastan, Naryan-Mar and Chukotka (Siberia). Scopus equipment is also utilised by TV broadcaster like Tele-Radio Company MIR and ART (for a new Russian TV bouquet).<br /><br />Contact details for Scopus’ Moscow office are:<br /><br />D.Bednogo Str.,<br />4/7, Moscow 123308<br />Russia<br /><br />Tel: +7-095-789 35 80<br />Fax: +7-095-789 35 79<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />PRODUCTS AND SERVICES<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />KVH Industries Launches Global Satellite Communications Service<br /><br />(13 June 2002) KVH Industries is offering its own branded global satellite communications services to complement its full line of satellite communications hardware. The service will be provided by Inmarsat and will be branded simply as "Inmarsat Airtime by KVH." The sale of Inmarsat airtime services represents a new, recurring revenue opportunity for KVH as the company will purchase wholesale airtime from Inmarsat and then sell the service to its retail customers.<br /><br />Now that KVH will be serving as an Inmarsat Service Provider (ISP), customers purchasing KVH hardware (or hardware from competing manufacturers) will be able to sign up for KVH's Inmarsat satellite service from the same dealer when they purchase their satellite communication systems. Services offered range from simple, low-cost, global data services suitable for tracking or e-mail all the way up to full two-way fax, phone, and high-speed data solutions. As an ISP, KVH will fully support its service customers with 24/7 customer telephone support and a new on-line billing centre.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />New Helius Router Provides Full Routing and Network Services For Users of Hughes DirecWay Two-Way<br /><br />(11 June 2002) Helius Inc has announced the availability of the Helius Satellite Router for DirecWay Two-Way.<br /><br />The new router offers a full range of routing and network services to customers who use the Hughes DirecWay system for two-way satellite Internet connectivity. In addition to providing full routing functionality, the new router furnishes DHCP, DNS, FTP, VPN and other network services. While DirecWay requires a computer running the Windows operating system, integrating a Helius Satellite Router for DirecWay enables the computers to run on Windows, MacOS, Linux or other operating systems.<br /><br />The Helius product architecture is a complete routing platform performing connectivity and management of satellite data, terrestrial networks and Internet services. Integrating a Helius router with DirecWay enables an administrator to manage the system through a browser-based interface from any location via LAN, WAN or Modem connection. Helius satellite routers can be custom built to meet the needs of any environment and any client.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Press releases should be sent to: newsfeed@microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Microcom makes no charge for this service and makes no payments for the use of material. Microcom makes no warranties about the quality of this free service and accepts no liability for mistakes and errors. Use of this service is taken as confirmation of acceptance of these conditions.<br /><br />If you require further information contact Microcom by email: info@microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />This newsletter, and archives dating back to January 2000, can be viewed on the web at http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />To subscribe and unsubscribe go to: http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/subscribe.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Copyright 2002 Microcom Systems Ltd. All rights reserved.<br /><br />Microcom's Space Newsfeed may be freely distributed on condition that it is distributed complete, not edited in any way, and that no fee is charged. All copies must contain this copyright notice.<br /><br />Microcom Systems Ltd<br />PO Box 21<br />Haverhill<br />Suffolk CB9 0NZ<br />United Kingdom<br /><br />info@microcomsystems.co.uk<br />http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk