Microcom's Space Newsfeed 16 February 2003<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Published 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: http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/pubs/ssie.html. January 2003 issue now available. Also available online - get a temporary password to review the Handbook by sending a blank email to review@microcomsystems.co.uk.<br /><br />Other web resources from Microcom Systems:<br /><br />Satellite Industry Links: the largest free satellite and space industry directory on the web http://www.satellite-links.co.uk<br /><br />Satellite on the Net: white papers, industry events, launch information and book reviews http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk<br /><br />Jobs in Space: space industry recruitment http://www.space-jobs.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Contents<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms:<br />ND SatCom to Implement Intelsat East Coast Teleport<br />Old Satellites May Gain New Voice<br /><br />Manned Space:<br />Columbia Disaster Update<br /><br />Launches:<br />Intelsat 907<br /><br />Business:<br />DirecTV US to Raise Up to US$ 2.95 Billion in Debt<br /><br />Products and Services:<br />Chelton HGA-7000 Receives On-Air Testing Authorisation from Inmarsat<br />KVH TracVision G8 Offers Extended Range and Advanced Design<br />L Band iP3 Gateway Platform from Kromos Communications<br />New KVH Tracphone F55<br />Tandberg TV and Raytheon Introduce Compact DSNG Technology<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 />ND SatCom to Implement Intelsat East Coast Teleport<br /><br />(11 February 2003) ND SatCom has been awarded a contract by Intelsat for a turnkey delivery of five C Band Standard A antenna systems, one Ku Band Standard C antenna system and all associated equipment for the Intelsat East Coast Teleport in the US.<br /><br />ND SatCom was chosen as prime contractor with responsibility for the complete installation, integration and testing of the antenna and the RF equipment. The contract, worth several million Euros, also includes an option for additional antenna systems for the site.<br /><br />In July 2002 ND SatCom won a contract to provide Intelsat with two C Band Standard A antenna systems and all associated equipment for the Intelsat Earth Station at Fuchsstadt, Germany.<br /><br />The East Coast Teleport plays an important role in Intelsat's GlobalConnex solution, a portfolio of bundled services that combines Intelsat's global satellite fleet with terrestrial capabilities - including teleport services, fibre and points of presence at strategic exchange sites.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Old Satellites May Gain New Voice<br /><br />(6 February 2003) European Space Agency (ESA) engineers are proposing a technique to enable a digital satellite radio service for European drivers - without the need to launch a single new satellite into orbit. Commercial digital satellite radio is already a reality in the United States, using a costly set of dedicated satellites.<br /><br />The rival American services allow subscribing drivers to choose between numerous near-CD quality radio channels without tune-out or static.<br /><br />Two parallel ESA studies have examined a lower-cost method of providing in-car Europe-wide satellite radio, along with supplemental text, pictures and video data. ND Satcom (prime contractor), DLR, IMST and SES Astra conducted one of the studies while Alcatel Space (prime contractor), Frauenhofer Gesellschaft, Skygate and SES Astra performed the other.<br /><br />It promises to be much cheaper to set up than US satellite radio, because it requires no new expensive satellite launches. Instead the proposal is to reuse existing TV satellites nearing the end of their operating life.<br /><br />Once in position, 35,000 km away in space, TV satellites will remain in orbit forever, but their useful life amounts to 15 years or less. Onboard thrusters must keep each satellite pointed precisely in geostationary orbit so they stay lined up with fixed-position Earth-based receivers.<br /><br />However once the thrusters' propellant runs out the satellites drift out of correct orbit, and are left useless for TV broadcast applications. But further life can be squeezed from a low-propellant TV satellite switched over to mobile digital radio broadcasting where precision position control is less important.<br /><br />Most thruster propellant is expended correcting satellite attitude in the north-south direction. But if station-keeping is limited to the east-west axis then satellite lifetime could be extended by some five years.<br /><br />The satellite's position would oscillate across the sky by a few degrees. But vehicle-mounted digital radio antennas would keep track of the satellite as it moves, just as they would maintain contact with it as the car bearing the antenna moves across the landscape.<br /><br />Satellite reception is frequently shadowed by trees, rain, or cloud or blocked altogether by mountains, tunnels or tall buildings. In urban areas the studies indicate that the signal is blocked an average 30% of the time, maybe for several minutes at a time.<br /><br />These reception gaps make real-time broadcasting impracticable. Instead the service would operate on a cache system – data files are stored by the receiver for later playback. Sophisticated interleaving, data coding and large signal margins should enable the useful data to be reconstructed even when some of the signal has disappeared.<br /><br />Interleaving is a method whereby the burst of erroneous data arising from blockages and shadowing will be spread out in time and mixed with correctly received data bits. And coding data will then enable the receiver to interpret it in the correct context.<br /><br />Studies indicate a useful data rate of a million bits per second per satellite transponder. With each satellite having several transponders, this makes the system performance comparable or even superior to US services.<br /><br />Test reception measurements have been carried out by both teams monitoring signals from SES Astra satellites.<br /><br />The next steps come this year, with plans to design a low-cost fully electronically steerable antenna as well as develop a suitable gateway transmitter and user receiver which will serve as a system demonstrator for extended field testing. An optimised demonstration system will be complete in about two-and-a-half years leading to a commercial prototype in about five years from now.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Manned Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Columbia Disaster Update<br /><br />(15 February 2003) Two weeks since the Columbia disaster the accident investigation continues to collect information and debris, to correlate this and to begin some preliminary analyses which hopefully will lead to an understanding of why the re-entering shuttle broke up over Texas just 16 minutes before touch down.<br /><br />Accident investigators currently believe that a breach in the thermal protection on the left wing allowed the plasma sheath that envelops the shuttle during re-entry to enter the left wing causing damage. The 1700 degree Centigrade plume of plasma inside the wing progressively disrupted telemetry sensors and may have damaged the structural components inside the wing to such an extent that it broke away from the body of the shuttle causing Columbia to tumble and disintegrate.<br /><br />Alternatively, although the interior of the wing was damaged by plasma ingress, this may not have caused the shuttle's demise. The increased drag on the left hand side of the shuttle resulting from a damaged wing was causing the on-board flight control system to correct the attitude of the shuttle as it re-entered. As the drag increased during the re-entry as damage to the surface or leading edge of the left wing increased the flight control system may not have been able to compensate, allowing Columbia to begin twisting and then tumbling leading to an immediate disintegration.<br /><br />Furthermore, it has been revealed that, one day into the mission on January 17, a military radar identified a small object separating from the shuttle at about 5 m/s. Initial analysis indicates that no scheduled event during the flight, for example a water dump, would have caused an object to leave the vicinity of the shuttle raising concerns that Columbia was hit by a piece of orbital debris or a small meteor.<br /><br />Speculation still continues, however, that Columbia's left wing was damaged by a piece of insulating foam which fell off the External Tank eighty seconds after lift-off, striking the left wing and possibly causing damage to the reinforced carbon-carbon insulating structures on the leading edge of the wing or to the insulating tiles on the underside of the wing.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launches<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Intelsat 907<br /><br />Launched: 15 February 2003<br />Site: CSG Kourou, French Guiana<br />Launcher: Ariane 44L<br />Orbit: GEO, 27.5° W<br />International Number: 2003-007A<br />Name: Intelsat 907<br />Owner: Intelsat<br />Contractor: Space Systems/Loral<br /><br />Intelsat 907 is a commercial communications satellite owned and operated by Intelsat.<br /><br />Intelsat 907 is based on Space Systems/Loral's FS 1300 platform. With a lift off mass of 4768 kg it has a design lifetime of 13 years. Its solar arrays with a span of 31 m generate 8600 W at end of life.<br /><br />The Intelsat 907 will provide capacity for telephony, corporate networks, Internet, video and hybrid space/terrestrial solutions to customers on its 76 C band and 22 Ku band transponders (measured in 36 MHz equivalent units). The satellite will provide high power Ku band spot beam coverage for Western Europe and West Africa and additional C band capacity to customers in the Americas, Europe and Africa.<br /><br />The Intelsat 907 satellite will replace the Intelsat 605, which currently holds the 27.5º W orbital slot but will be moved to a new location at 29.5º W to support additional customer demand also in the Americas, Europe and Africa.<br /><br />This was the last launch of the Ariane 4 vehicle.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />DirecTV US to Raise Up to US$ 2.95 Billion in Debt<br /><br />(10 February 2003) DirecTV Holdings LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hughes Electronics Corporation, intends to privately offer up to US$ 1.4 billion principal amount of senior notes due 2013. DirecTV also intends to arrange US$ 1.55 billion of new senior secured credit facilities. DirecTV expects to close the senior notes offering and the new credit facilities by early March 2003.<br /><br />DirecTV plans to distribute to Hughes the net proceeds from the sale of the senior notes and the term loan portion of the new senior secured credit facilities to enable Hughes to repay outstanding indebtedness under its existing credit facilities, to fund Hughes' business plan through projected cash flow breakeven and for Hughes' other corporate purposes. Hughes' existing $1.8 billion senior secured credit facilities will terminate upon such repayment.<br /><br />The ten-year senior notes will be unsecured indebtedness guaranteed on a senior basis by all of DirecTV's domestic subsidiaries. The senior notes will be sold to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A, and outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The senior notes initially will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or state securities laws and may not be offered or sold by holders thereof without registration unless an exemption from such registration is available.<br /><br />The new senior secured credit facilities will have a term of five to seven years and will be secured by substantially all of DirecTV's assets and guaranteed by all of DirecTV's domestic subsidiaries. It is anticipated that up to US$ 500 million of the facilities will be undrawn at closing.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Chelton HGA-7000 Receives On-Air Testing Authorisation from Inmarsat<br /><br />(12 February 2003) Chelton has received Inmarsat authorisation to immediately begin controlled On-Air testing of the new HGA-7000 High Gain Satcom antenna. This follows the evaluation of the interim results of the Aero-H antenna performance analysis done in conjunction with DFL of Canada.<br /><br />Testing will take place at various Aero-H/H+ and Swift-64 HSD equipment manufacturers around the world. Formal access approval by Inmarsat is expected in March 2003.<br /><br />The Chelton HGA-7000 is the world’s smallest and lightest fuselage-mount Aero-H/H+/HSD Satcom antenna. It’s advanced electronically steered, phased array design incorporates some very novel and patented techniques to achieve highly optimised performance in such a compact package. Interface options allow integration across a wide range of aircraft types.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />KVH TracVision G8 Offers Extended Range and Advanced Design<br /><br />(13 February 2003) KVH Industries has introduced the newest member of its TracVision product line - the TracVision G8. Equipped with an ultra-efficient 82 cm carbon fibre antenna, fibre optic gyro (FOG) stabilisation, all housed in a dome more than 35% smaller than other competing satellite TV antennas, TracVision G8 is the most advanced maritime satellite television antenna available.<br /><br />Its integrated Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) technology enables TracVision G8 to positively identify and receive programming from all modern TV satellites. The antenna is also fully compatible with KVH's TracNet 2.0 Mobile High-speed Internet System, enabling mariners to enjoy the TV entertainment and Internet information they desire whether at anchor or underway on open seas.<br /><br />Thanks to its unique mechanical architecture, the TracVision G8's powerful antenna is housed in a dome that is 35% smaller than other systems of similar reception strength. While compact, the system also has a wide range of motion, enabling the antenna to track satellites continuously, even when the vessel is travelling in heavy seas at far northern or southern latitudes where the satellites are very low on the horizon. To extend the antenna's range, TracVision G8 uses a next-generation carbon fibre reflector, an extremely efficient design that results in higher signal strength and greater coverage area. As a result, vessels can receive satellite TV further offshore and throughout the Caribbean, which was previously beyond the range of 32" antennas. TracVision G8 can provide access to programming from all modern satellite services, including the DirecTV, DISH Network, ExpressVu and DirecTV Latin America services in North and Latin America, and European services, such as Astra, Hotbird, Hispasat, Nilesat, Arabsat, Sirius, Optus, and Thor. This combination of advanced features ensures unsurpassed system performance from a state-of-the-art antenna that is both lightweight and extremely robust.<br /><br />To ensure uninterrupted reception of the satellite TV signal and provide the best possible picture and sound quality, TracVision G8 uses a state-of- the-art tracking system that employs KVH FOGs and a built-in GPS tracking subsystem. KVH's FOGs, which have been used extensively in military satellite communication systems, enable the TracVision G8 to track to within 0.1 degrees in azimuth and elevation, as well as provide fully automatic skew control for European linearly polarised satellites. The TracVision G8 uses its built-in GPS to calculate the precise azimuth and elevation to the satellite from the vessel's current location, ensuring the shortest possible satellite acquisition time. TracVision G8 is also easy to use, with satellite selection carried out via the plain language Master Control Unit (MCU). The MCU also monitors satellite codes and frequencies, automatically updating the antenna's satellite library as needed.<br /><br />Adding to TracVision G8's versatility is its compatibility with KVH's TracNet 2.0 Mobile High-speed Internet System. As a result, vessels equipped with TracVision G8 and TracNet 2.0 can stay connected to the World Wide Web and e-mail via broadband Internet-via-Satellite services in both Europe and North America. Users can access news, financial information, up-to-date weather and nautical charts, corporate networks, and e-mail at speeds reaching 400 kb/s in North America and 512 kb/s in European waters.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />L Band iP3 Gateway Platform from Kromos Communications<br /><br />(13 February 2003) Kromos Communications Inc has announced the availability of L band iP3 Gateway platform for shipment. The L band is the latest iP3 platform developed by Kromos.<br /><br />This new platform provides many new features over previously introduced 70 MHz iP3 platform. The company is already shipping 70 MHz iP3 gateway systems. The iP3 gateway is a two-way satellite IP transport solution for IP data, voice (VoIP) and video traffic. The iP3 gateway offers unique combination of hardware and software features to provide highly efficient satellite based point-to-point, star-hub and hub-less mesh networks.<br /><br />The L band iP3 Gateway is carrier-grade integrated terminal capable of providing data rates from 64 kb/s to 15 Mb/s in symmetric as well as asymmetric mode. The L band system supports IF frequency from 950 to 1700 MHz enabling transmission over multiple transponders. The pure carrier feature allows easy configuration and alignment of carriers remotely. Reed Solomon coding has been added to the system for additional robustness. The product also allows much finer adjustment of data rates for efficient bandwidth use. Additional plug-in modules such as loss-less combiners, dividers and a highly stable 10 MHz reference are available inside the chassis for ease of installation and operation. In addition, the L band platform supports all 70 MHz features like Routing, IPMax - TCP acceleration, bandwidth aggregation to aggregate multiple channels into one large channel, modular architecture for scalability and user friendly remote monitoring & control functions through SNMP, Web or dial up modem making iP3 gateway ideal for small or large satellite IP networks.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />New KVH Tracphone F55<br /><br />(12 February 2003) KVH Industries has introduced its newest high-powered satellite communications system: the Tracphone F55. The compact Tracphone F55 uses the new Inmarsat Fleet service to offer leisure and small commercial vessels outstanding voice connections world-wide and high-speed data and Internet connections over 90% of marine cruising routes, shipping lanes, and all of the most popular maritime regions around the globe.<br /><br />Tracphone F55 is fully compatible with the new Fleet service, which was launched with the larger, more powerful Fleet F77 product in early 2002. High-quality voice and fax connections are made possible via Fleet's global service coverage. In addition, Tracphone F55 can switch between two other channels - Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) and mobile Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) - to meet a variety of communication needs while providing the most cost-effective options available. These services are provided using Inmarsat's powerful spot beam technology, which covers all of the most popular maritime areas and 90% of the world's cruising lanes. Tracphone F55 will also be fully compatible with Inmarsat's next generation satellites scheduled for launch in 2005.<br /><br />Designed for short-burst data transmissions, MPDS is perfect for receiving e-mail, logging onto and working within a company intranet, or browsing the web. And with its "pay per bit" pricing, users are charged only for the amount of the data sent and received, not by connection time. As a result, a vessel can remain connected via e-mail or the Internet 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no additional cost, making maritime Internet access a far more relaxing experience. The high-capacity mobile ISDN channel provides a constant data stream at speeds as fast as 64 kb/s, making it ideal for phone and fax service, video conferencing, and transmitting large files and images. ISDN usage is charged on a per-minute basis. Fleet F55, along with Inmarsat's other satellite communications services, is available directly from KVH Industries.<br /><br />With its fully stabilised 55 cm antenna and high-impact 66 cm dome, Tracphone F55 is ideal for smaller vessels and a perfect match for KVH's TracVision G6/6 line of satellite TV systems. The Tracphone F55 package includes the antenna, a transceiver, and a telephone handset and cradle. The system's transceiver serves as the hub for all on-line communication via the ship's telephone networks and fax machines. Connected to an IP router, Tracphone F55 can link all shipboard computers to on-shore web- based systems, including e-mail and Internet services.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Tandberg TV and Raytheon Introduce Compact DSNG Technology<br /><br />(13 February 2003) Tandberg Television is to introduce a state-of-the-art digital satellite newsgathering (DSNG) technology developed in co-operation with Raytheon and Vocality International, during the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) 2003 convention.<br /><br />The new system is a fully integrated 2U digital flyaway, capable of bi-directional transmission of audio, video and data feed from a remote transmission site. It also provides two-way phone, data and IP communications between the satellite downlink and remote transmit site. Because of the unit's size and ease of operation, set up is quick and simple, permitting broadcasters to get on the air faster. NBC News assisted during the development of this system and is an early adopter, deploying several of the units for its coverage from the Middle East.<br /><br />Employing a Tandberg Television E5740 Voyager DSNG encoder, miniaturised antenna technology from Raytheon, and V100 versatile multiplexer from Vocality International, the mobile transmission system is extremely compact and provides real-time broadcast of remote news coverage with easy integration to uplink terminals. The system supports a bi-directional link using conventional satellites. Due to recent improvements in video encoding algorithms and modulators ability to work at low symbol rates, the new DSNG system can work with smaller satellite dishes and low power amplifiers.<br /><br />Currently, similar flyaway applications either utilise satellite phones or IP technology. Transmitting via satellite phone or over IP results in lesser quality video in a non-real-time transfer - over expensive transmission media. Tandberg Television's E5740 is a proven MPEG-2 video encoder offering superior picture quality and low data rate modulation in a compact package.<br /><br />News crews typically use an MPEG-based system for the main uplink and a separate transmission chain for the communications channels. The new system from Tandberg Television, Raytheon and Vocality integrates the majority of field newsgathering requirements into one unit.<br /><br />For Raytheon, this expands the use of its MVSAT (Mobile Very Small Aperture Terminal) product, which focuses on world-wide coverage with a portable, easy-to-use, broadband, voice, data, and video capability for the broadcast newsgathering industry.<br /><br />The digital flyaway system features a patented, miniaturised antenna technology. Raytheon's MVSAT is the first broadband communications unit that can be deployed quickly and easily anywhere in the world. Using a fold-up 1.2 meter antenna and a telecom centre the size of a small suitcase, Raytheon's MVSAT can handle voice, video and data simultaneously at speeds beyond 4 Mb/s. The 1.2 meter antenna assembles in less than 30 minutes and can transfer extremely high data rates. The system is transportable and can be easily carried by one person.<br /><br />Tandberg Television's E5740 Voyager encoder combines quality low bit-rate encoding performance with totally flexible satellite modulation in a fully expandable and upgradable package. It supports symbol rate modulation and demodulation below 1Msymbol/s.<br /><br />Vocality International's V100 range of multiplexers can combine secure telephony circuits with TCP/IP, ISDN, data and high-quality MPEG audio. The V100 is one rack unit high and incorporates a link and data port. A compact, two rack unit, field deployable flyaway package has been made possible by the integration of V100 functionality, as an option module, within the Tandberg Television E5740 Voyager encoder. This module will debut at NAB2003. The V100 and integrated module will soon include an integrated IP router.<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 />Copyright 2003 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