Microcom's Space Newsfeed 5 October 2003<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Published by Microcom Systems Ltd, consultants in satellite communications since 1985.
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http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/ratecard.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Contents<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms:<br />Microspace's Velocity Service to Distribute HD RadioData Services<br />Radyne ComStream Partners to Provide Internet Service to West Africa<br />SES Astra, IDC and AVP Invest in IP Direct<br />Spacenet Provides Scientific Games With Broadband Network for Iowa Lottery Authority<br />SS/Loral to Build Two DirecTV Satellites<br />ViaSat Provides Comms and Video Networking for All African Games<br /><br />Earth Observation:<br />Post-Earthquake Reconnaissance Benefits Identified<br /><br />Military Space:<br />DigitalGlobe Awarded NextView Contract by NIMA<br />Lockheed Martin Unveils Advanced Air-Space Integration Lab<br />SAIC Team Wins Space-Based Radar System Engineering And Integration Contract<br />ViaSat Wins US$ 43 M Order in MIDS Tactical Network Terminal Lot 4 Award<br /><br />Science:<br />ESA Awards the First Aurora Mission Design Contracts<br /><br />Manned Space:<br />Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Join Forces for OSP Bid<br /><br />Technology:<br />SMART-1 Ion Engine Fired Successfully<br /><br />Launches:<br />Galaxy XIII/Horizons-1<br /><br />Business:<br />Com Dev Announces US$ 20 Million Bought Deal<br />Qualcomm to Acquire Alcatel's Mobicom Business<br />Spacehab to Close Washington DC Office<br />XM Satellite Radio Completes Standard Exchange Offer<br /><br />Products and Services:<br />Globalstar Extends Data Monitoring Service to the Middle East<br />HNS Introduces New DirecWay Broadband Satellite Terminal<br />MotoSAT Introduces the F3 DataStorm<br /><br />People:<br />Bylciw Named President of Pratt's Space Operations<br />Iridium Holdings LLC Announces Management Succession<br />Media Industry Leader Joins SES Americom<br />Robert Law to Join Sirius as Senior VP of Retail Operations<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />EEBC 2003<br /><br />The broadband event demanded by the industry in Central and Eastern Europe. Aims to harmonise and accelerate growth throughout the region to achieve the full triple-play services of video, data and telephony for Cable and Wireless TV systems. Will include Technical Training, Seminars, Industry Conference, Exhibition, Forum of Program Providers, Congress of CATV Organisations.
www.eebc.com.ua<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SMi's Global MILSATCOM<br />24th and 25th November 2003<br />Radisson SAS, Portman Hotel, London<br /><br />SMi's Fifth Annual Global MILSATCOM Conference brings together an international line-up of speakers to analyse current requirements and projects along with future developments in the field of Military Satellite Communications. For further details and to download a conference brochure and registration form, please visit:
www.smi-online.co.uk/milsatcom3.asp<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 />Space Bookshop - books for space professionals.<br />
http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/bookshop.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satellite Internet access in Africa, Europe and the Middle East<br />
http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/internet1.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Microspace's Velocity Service to Distribute HD RadioData Services<br /><br />(1 October 2003) iBiquity Digital Corporation, the sole developer and licenser of digital AM and FM broadcast technology in the United States, and Capitol Broadcasting-owned Microspace Communications Corporation (Microspace), the largest business satellite broadcasting network operator in the world, have announced an agreement to integrate HD Radio data services into Microspace's Velocity satellite service.<br /><br />The agreement will allow Microspace to deliver content and rich media via satellite to stations broadcasting in HD Radio technology. Currently, Velocity delivers business music to more than 100 million people everyday.<br /><br />The partnership between iBiquity and Microspace is designed to offer content providers an easy-to-use and reliable means for distributing content directly to stations for real-time and archival insertion within their HD Radio broadcasts. Radio stations will ultimately benefit from the expanded array of offerings that they'll be able to access as a result of the proven cost-effectiveness of Microspace's distribution capabilities, with the company's more than 300,000 remote sites underscoring its proven track record of success.<br /><br />(source: iBiquity Digital Corporation)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Radyne ComStream Partners to Provide Internet Service to West Africa<br /><br />(29 September 2003) Radyne ComStream Inc has entered into a strategic partnership with Direct On PC to deliver high-quality, affordable broadband Internet service via satellite to West African nations.<br /><br />Direct On PC has chosen the Radyne ComStream IPSat terminal to deliver its broadband, always-on Internet over satellite service to Nigeria and other West African countries. Direct On PC customers such as cyber cafes and corporations that require VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and VPN (virtual private network) services will utilise the Radyne ComStream IPSat terminal to provide those services.<br /><br />The Radyne ComStream IPSat terminal enables remote Internet connectivity at rates of up to 72 Mb/s. The IPSat terminal is a fully embedded satellite/Internet router appliance and only requires a small dish antenna (as small as 1.2 meters) to be deployed at the remote sites. A single IPSat terminal can support up to 100 simultaneous voice calls while providing Internet access to several hundred PCs on its LAN interface. The IPSat unit was designed specifically to support real-time applications such as VoIP (voice over IP) and videoconferencing.<br /><br />(source: Radyne ComStream)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SES Astra, IDC and AVP Invest in IP Direct<br /><br />(1 October 2003) SES Astra, Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa, and Africa Venture Partners (AVP) are investing in IP Direct to create the premier pan-African broadband satellite provider.<br /><br />Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), a self-financing, national development finance institution in South Africa, and SES Astra have each concluded an investment in IP Direct. SES Astra's stake in IP Direct amounts to 40.96%. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.<br /><br />IP Direct, a new company based in Johannesburg, South Africa, was started by AVP, a recognised investment and strategic management firm specialising in African telecommunications, with the business scope of providing retail and wholesale broadband satellite services initially to West Africa, and in a second phase all across the African continent.<br /><br />IP Direct will use high power Ku band space segment on the steerable beam of Astra 2B at 28.2° East (featuring up to 16 transponders), which SES Astra will deploy in order to provide optimal coverage of West Africa. Additional space segment from within the SES Global fleet of satellites is anticipated to be brought online with the roll-out of services to other African countries.<br /><br />(source: SES Astra)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Spacenet Provides Scientific Games With Broadband Network for Iowa Lottery Authority<br /><br />(1 October 2003) Spacenet Inc has signed a 5-year contract with Scientific Games International Inc, a subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation, for a broadband satellite communications network for the Iowa Lottery Authority.<br /><br />Including Spacenet's initial deployment of more than 100 VSAT terminals for Scientific Games at Iowa Lottery locations earlier this year, Scientific Games has submitted purchase orders for a total of 650 VSATs.<br /><br />Scientific Games International is a leading integrated supplier of instant tickets, systems and services to lotteries, and a leading supplier of wagering systems and services to pari-mutuel operators. It is also a licensed pari-mutuel gaming operator in Connecticut and the Netherlands and is a leading supplier of prepaid phone cards to telephone companies. Scientific Games' customers are in the United States and more than 60 other countries.<br /><br />(source: Gilat Satellite Networks)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SS/Loral to Build Two DirecTV Satellites<br /><br />(1 October 2003) DirecTV Inc has issued Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) authorisations to proceed (ATPs) with the design and construction of two satellites: DirecTV 8 and DirecTV 9S. Aggregate revenue for the construction of the two satellites will be in excess of US$ 220 million.<br /><br />The ATPs have been submitted for approval by the Bankruptcy Court.<br /><br />DirecTV 8, to be delivered in the late first quarter of 2005, will provide national coverage from the 101° West longitude orbital slot, DirecTV's primary orbital slot. The satellite will also be able to operate from DirecTV's orbital slots at 110° and 119° West longitude. The satellite will carry 16 high-power transponders for high-quality national digital video services.<br /><br />DirecTV 9S, scheduled for delivery in the late second quarter of 2005, is designed to operate from orbital locations at 101° West longitude or 119° West longitude. As a back-up for DirecTV's 4S and 7S satellites, it will be capable of providing up to 54 transponders for high-quality local and national digital video service broadcast into 27 beams. In an alternate configuration, the satellite will be capable of providing up to 44 transponders broadcast into 30 beams.<br /><br />With the completion of DirecTV 8 and DirecTV 9S, Loral will have manufactured five - more than half - of the satellites in DirecTV's fleet. SS/L is currently building DirecTV 7S, a high-power, spot-beam satellite scheduled for launch in mid to late first quarter of 2004.<br /><br />DirecTV 8 and DirecTV 9S are based on SS/L's 1300 satellite platform, which has an excellent record of reliable operation. The geostationary 1300 has a designed service life of 15 years and maintains station-keeping and orbital stability by using bipropellant propulsion and momentum management systems. A system of high efficiency solar arrays and lightweight batteries provides uninterrupted electrical power. In all, SS/L satellites have amassed more than 1000 years of on-orbit service.<br /><br />(source: Loral Space and Communications)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ViaSat Provides Comms and Video Networking for All African Games<br /><br />(29 September 2003) ViaSat Inc has received a US$ 4.65 million contract to supply its Linkway multi-protocol broadband VSATs, Skylinx digital telephony VSATs, and antenna systems for communications and video backhaul at the All African Games this October in Nigeria.<br /><br />The contract was awarded by Ace Computer Systems Ltd, Kaduna, Nigeria through its French associates, Garmco Sarl on behalf of The Organising Committee of the 8th All Africa Games, COJA.<br /><br />The satellite network will provide digital communications among four cities and a hub in the Nigerian capital of Abuja. In addition, ViaSat will integrate Scientific-Atlanta PowerVU video content distribution products into the network to uplink video from Games locations to the hub where it will be re-broadcast throughout Africa. Installation was due to begin in early September with commissioning of the network scheduled to be complete by the end of the month. Known as the "African Olympics" the All African Games are held every four years and involve all independent nations of Africa.<br /><br />In addition to supplying the VSAT networks, ViaSat is responsible for installation and integration of all third party equipment into a turnkey network for video contribution in the 4:2:2 format. With sites in Lagos, Kaduna, Calabar and Bauchi, plus the Abuja hub, the network includes both 4.5 and 9 meter ViaSat antennas and on-site personnel to manage the system during the games.<br /><br />(source: ViaSat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Earth Observation<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Post-Earthquake Reconnaissance Benefits Identified<br /><br />(30 September 2003) A new study documents the potential high-resolution QuickBird satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe can bring to post-earthquake damage detection and recovery efforts.<br /><br />The study, conducted by ImageCat Inc, was partially funded by the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER) headquartered at the University at Buffalo. The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), through its "Learning from Earthquakes" program, provided imagery to ImageCat, the University of Tokyo and several other research organisations around the world involved in the use of remote sensing for disaster response. This combined effort represents a significant milestone in the field of earthquake research.<br /><br />For several years, researchers at ImageCat have investigated how remote sensing technologies can improve response and recovery activities after major earthquakes. This research has focused on various aspects of damage detection, including the distinction between extreme damage versus non-damage states, the quantification of damage states on a regional basis, and the assessment of damage sustained by individual buildings. In the study just- released by EERI and MCEER, satellite imagery is identified as an effective and valuable tool in the response and recovery phases of the emergency management cycle for reconnaissance and monitoring recovery operations.<br /><br />To conduct its research, ImageCat used the events of May 21, 2003, when an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale rocked Algeria - drastically affecting the towns of Rouiba, Boumerdes and Thenia, among others. In its wake, the first priority was to assess and limit human injuries and fatalities, a monumental effort considering the total death toll reached 2,266 with 10,261 injured. Structural damage assessment and recovery was also a priority as 214 commercial buildings and 1,029 individual residences were destroyed.<br /><br />To evaluate the potential of satellite imagery to assist in this assessment and its possible use for co-ordination of site visits and relief efforts, the researchers turned to DigitalGlobe, provider of the world's highest resolution commercial satellite imagery that boasts a vast, up-to-date archive of digital images. EERI acquired before and after QuickBird data, including imagery dated April 22, 2002 - approximately one year prior to the earthquake - and May 23, 2003 - two days after. QuickBird imagery captured on June 18, 2003 enabled the further assessment of high-resolution imagery for monitoring recovery efforts during the following month.<br /><br />During the evaluation phase, automated change detection algorithms were created, offering a "quick-look" damage assessment and providing the focus for more detailed inspection of building damage using visualisation techniques. A visual comparison was then drawn between enlarged views of the before and after QuickBird images, which were displayed side by side within Research Systems' ENVI image processing environment. Due to the extremely detailed representation offered by QuickBird satellite imagery, severely damaged structures were readily identified. In addition to urban damage, the images also effectively showed the location of temporary tent camps housing displaced residents. Researchers hope to use such imagery in future events to provide "real time" assessments that will guide the work of field reconnaissance teams.<br /><br />The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) is a national, non-profit, technical society of engineers, geoscientists, architects, planners, public officials, and social scientists working to reduce earthquake risk by advancing the science and practice of earthquake engineering, by improving understanding of the impact of earthquakes on the physical, social, economic, political and cultural environment, and by advocating comprehensive and realistic measures for reducing the harmful effects of earthquakes.<br /><br />The Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER) is a national centre of excellence that develops and applies knowledge and advanced technologies to reduce earthquake losses. Headquartered at the University at Buffalo, the Center was established in 1986 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) as the country's first National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER). MCEER unites a group of leading researchers from numerous disciplines and institutions throughout the United States to integrate knowledge, expertise, and interdisciplinary perspective with state- of-the-art experimental and computational facilities in the fields of earthquake engineering and socio-economic studies.<br /><br />(source: DigitalGlobe)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Military Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />DigitalGlobe Awarded NextView Contract by NIMA<br /><br />(30 September 2003) DigitalGlobe has won a contract in excess of US$ 500 million issued by the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) to assure the availability of imagery from the next-generation, commercial high-resolution imaging satellites.<br /><br />DigitalGlobe is working with industry leaders to substantially improve resolution, collection capacity and revisit capabilities with the next generation system, called the WorldView imaging system. The WorldView imaging system will serve all of DigitalGlobe's customers including satisfying the NextView contract requirements. DigitalGlobe's list of satellite and launch vehicle partners includes Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp and Boeing Launch Services. In addition to the Space segment partners DigitalGlobe has assembled the industry leaders to work on the Ground segment. BAe Systems is the lead for the Production Segment development team and also for co-production. Other partners include Boeing Autometric, Aero-Metric, EarthData, ESRI, Harris Corp., IBM, and InSequence, offering co-production, internal business systems, e-commerce solutions, other software components and systems engineering. DigitalGlobe has also teamed with Spot, the American subsidiary of France's Spot Image, as an alternative imagery supplier.<br /><br />(source: DigitalGlobe)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Lockheed Martin Unveils Advanced Air-Space Integration Lab<br /><br />(29 September 2003) Lockheed Martin has unveiled its new HI-Vision Air-Space Integration Lab, a state-of-the-art development and integration facility designed to enable collaboration with customers and industry partners for future advancements in Joint command and control (C2) across air and space domains.<br /><br />The lab draws on the full range of Lockheed Martin's experience in space command and control and air combat technologies and operations - from strategic and theatre-level C2 systems to cockpit-centric mission management technology. It offers complex analytical, experimentation, and simulation capabilities to address future warfighting system challenges.<br /><br />Modelled after a functioning Air Operations Center, The HI-Vision lab creates a collaborative environment where military and industry personnel will address current and future architectural challenges to achieve greater synergy across air and space go-to-war C2 systems. The lab will serve as an integration proving ground for a wide range of current and future systems, including the C2 Constellation, Theater Battle Management Core Systems (TBMCS), E-10A Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2), Integrated Space Command and Control (ISC2), Distributed Common Ground Station (DCGS), and Missile Defense National Team efforts.<br /><br />HI-Vision is a Lockheed Martin-led horizontal integration initiative to deliver more warfighting impact by transforming the crucial flow of information and data across the battlespace into faster, better decision making. A multi-million dollar research and development effort, HI-Vision draws on the breadth and depth of Lockheed Martin's integration experience to bring effects-based advantages of horizontally-integrated information to the battlefield.<br /><br />The HI-Vision lab is the central C2 node in Lockheed Martin's Global Vision Network (GVN), a nation-wide network of facilities and professional expertise that enables collaborative integration work across air, space, maritime and ground systems. The GVN applies the full spectrum of capabilities from across Lockheed Martin to research and develop network- centric systems and concepts, and will enable collaboration with multiple government and industry partners.<br /><br />Lockheed Martin is currently integrating its prototype E-10A BMC2 system into the lab, giving the company the opportunity to create a BMC2 solution that functions seamlessly with the Air Operations Center and the C2 Constellation architecture.<br /><br />The HI-Vision lab is co-located in Colorado Springs with the industry development teams for TBMCS, ISC2, DCGS and BMC2.<br /><br />(source: Lockheed Martin)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SAIC Team Wins Space-Based Radar System Engineering And Integration Contract<br /><br />(1 October 2003) Science Applications International Corporation's (SAIC) Space, Air and Information Group has announced a contract award to support the US Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) in the development of the Space-Based Radar (SBR), an important national defence program.<br /><br />Under the terms of the agreement, SAIC will be the lead System Engineering and Integration (SE&I) contractor for this effort. This delivery order contract has a base value of US$ 4.6 million, with the potential of eight option years valued at a total of US$ 139.4 million.<br /><br />The SBR system is a transformational system for DoD and national intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. SBR is designed to deliver extraordinary capability to gain real-time information on any potential adversary, locale or theatre. The system is intended to be able to track moving targets, produce high-resolution synthetic aperture radar images, produce high-resolution terrain information, and to provide data and other radar and radio frequency products.<br /><br />The SBR Joint Program Office is in the early phase of planning and implementing the program. Initial launch currently is projected for 2012. Many parallel program activities are ongoing or envisioned for the future to support the development and deployment of SBR, including payload development, concept development studies, risk reduction and technology maturation, selection of the system developers, and design, development and test of the system.<br /><br />For the SBR SE&I program, SAIC will implement and execute systems engineering and integration processes and oversee the delivery of systems engineering products necessary for effective execution of the SBR program and oversight of SBR system developers. SAIC also will lead the integration of the surface, air and space components of the nation's ISR system-of-systems.<br /><br />Members of the SAIC-led team include Lockheed-Martin Corp; ARINC; Veridian Engineering; TASC Inc; and Titan Corp.<br /><br />(source: SAIC)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ViaSat Wins US$ 43 M Order in MIDS Tactical Network Terminal Lot 4 Award<br /><br />(1 October 2003) ViaSat Inc has won a delivery order valued at US$ 43.8 million for Multifunctional Information Distribution System terminals from The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), San Diego.<br /><br />The order includes LVT(1) airborne and LVT(2) ground-based Low Volume Terminals pursuant to the terms of an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract awarded in January 2000. The MIDS LVT provides secure, high capacity, jam resistant, digital data and voice communications capability for US Navy, US Air Force, and US Army platforms. Deliveries are expected to begin in October of next year and continue through the second quarter of ViaSat's fiscal year 2006.<br /><br />The ViaSat MIDS terminal recently completed operational evaluation on the Navy's F/A-18 aircraft and is going through flight qualification and test on the Air Force F-16 as well. This most recent order includes additional terminals for these two aircraft, as well as the Air Force B-2 and the US Army which is certifying ViaSat LVT(2) terminals for various ground based platforms through the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC) Agency. Army platforms include the Army Airspace Command and Control (A2C2), Air Battle Management Operation Center (ABMOC), Patriot Information and Coordination Central (ICC) and Battery Command Post (BCP). ViaSat is the only certified producer of the LVT(2).<br /><br />(source: ViaSat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Science<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ESA Awards the First Aurora Mission Design Contracts<br /><br />(29 September 2003) A major milestone in ESA’s long-term Aurora programme of Solar System exploration has been passed with the announcement of the winners of competitive contracts for two of the programme’s key robotic missions - ExoMars and Earth re-entry Vehicle Demonstrator (EVD).<br /><br />Alenia Spazio (Italy), Alcatel Space (France) and EADS Astrium (France) are heading the three industrial teams selected to carry out a full mission design for ExoMars, the Aurora exobiology mission to Mars.<br /><br />At the same time, two industrial teams, headed by EADS LV (Launch Vehicles) of France and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) of the United Kingdom respectively, have been selected for the pre-development phase (officially known as Pre-Phase A) of the EVD mission.<br /><br />The ExoMars mission, to be launched in 2009, is the first of the major Flagship missions in the Aurora programme. It includes an orbiter and a descent module that will land a large (200 kg), high-mobility rover on the surface of Mars. After delivery of the lander/rover, the ExoMars orbiter will also operate as a data relay satellite between the Earth and the vehicle on the Martian surface.<br /><br />The primary objective of the ExoMars rover will be to search for signs of life, past or present, on the Red Planet. Additional measurements will be taken to identify potential surface hazards for future human missions, to determine the distribution of water on Mars and to measure the chemical composition of the surface rocks.<br /><br />Three parallel Phase A studies for the ExoMars Mission will be carried out by industrial teams that include companies from ESA member states and Canada:<br /><br />* Alenia Spazio (Italy) with subcontractors OHB (Germany), GMV (Spain),<br /> SEA (UK), SSC (UK) and Laben (Italy).<br />* Alcatel Space (France) with subcontractors Deimos (Spain), ETCA<br /> (Belgium), Fluid Gravity Engineering (UK), Kayser Threde (Germany),<br /> Laben (Italy), MD Robotics (Canada), NGC Aerospatiale (Canada),<br /> QinetiQ (UK), Vorticity (UK).<br />* EADS Astrium (France) with subcontractors Astrium Ltd. (UK), EADS LV<br /> (France) and SAS (Belgium).<br /><br />The contracts cover the design of the entire ExoMars mission, from launch, through the long interplanetary voyage to the landing of the rover on the planet.<br /><br />Depending on the availability of funding, the Phase B studies for ExoMars are planned to start in 2004.<br /><br />The second Aurora Flagship mission is a Mars Sample Return (MSR), planned for 2011. Its main goal will be the retrieval of rock samples from the Martian surface and subsurface for subsequent analysis in laboratories on Earth.<br /><br />In order to ensure the success of this challenging mission, a number of new technologies will have to be developed and tested. Conceived as a small, technology-driven Arrow-class mission, the Earth re-entry Vehicle Demonstration will be used to validate the design of the small MSR capsule that will bring back the precious samples of Martian soil.<br /><br />The EVD is expected to be launched in 2007. The baseline mission foresees the insertion into a highly elliptical Earth orbit of a small spacecraft carrying a re-entry capsule. In order to reproduce the final phase of a typical Mars return mission, the capsule will then carry out a ballistic re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere at speeds of up to 45,000 km/h.<br /><br />Two industrial teams have been selected for the parallel EVD mission Pre-Phase A studies. The concept presented by the industrial team, under the leadership of EADS LV (France) with the participation of OHB System (Germany) and Plansee (Austria) is solidly based on the experience of past projects.<br /><br />The industrial team led by SSTL (UK), a company well known for its experience in small highly integrated spacecraft, has devised a very innovative concept well adapted for a small technology mission. The participation of highly specialised companies, Fluid Gravity Engineering (UK), Kayser Threde GmbH (D) and Vorticity Ltd. (UK) ensures an excellent coverage of the mission’s most critical technologies.<br /><br />The next Aurora contract for Phase A studies will concern the Mars Sample Return mission. Industrial proposals were submitted on 1 August and the evaluation is nearly completed. The names of the selected companies are expected to be announced in early October.<br /><br />(source: ESA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Manned Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Join Forces for OSP Bid<br /><br />(29 September 2003) Lockheed Martin Corporation's Space Systems Company and Northrop Grumman Corporation's Integrated Systems have agreed to establish a teaming arrangement to compete for the full-scale development of NASA's Orbital Space Plane (OSP).<br /><br />Lockheed Martin will lead the new team as the system prime contractor while Northrop Grumman will serve as Lockheed Martin's principal team-mate and subcontractor. NASA expects to select a prime contractor team for the full-scale OSP development by August 2004.<br /><br />NASA has specified that the OSP must provide a crew rescue capability for the International Space Station by 2008, a two-year acceleration in the OSP development schedule outlined last spring. A two-way crew transfer OSP is also required by 2012. OSP will be launched on either an Atlas V or Delta IV rocket.<br /><br />Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin are currently performing separate OSP contracts for NASA. Awarded in April 2003, these contracts focus on helping NASA develop Level One Requirements for the OSP and on defining architectural concepts for proposed OSP crew rescue and transfer vehicles. Northrop Grumman will complete the current phase of its OSP contract, then become a Lockheed Martin subcontractor.<br /><br />(source: Lockheed Martin)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Technology<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SMART-1 Ion Engine Fired Successfully<br /><br />(1 October 2003) SMART-1's revolutionary propulsion system was successfully fired at 12:25 UT on 30 September, 2003, in orbit around the Earth.<br /><br />Engineers at ESOC, the European Space Agency's control centre in Darmstadt, Germany, sent a command to begin the firing test, which lasted for one hour. This was similar to a trial performed on Earth before SMART-1 was launched.<br /><br />Several months ago, the ion engine, or Solar Electric Primary Propulsion (SEPP) system, had been placed in a vacuum chamber on the ground and its functions and operation were measured. Now in space and in a true vacuum, the ion engine actually worked better than in the test on ground and has nudged SMART-1 a little closer to the Moon.<br /><br />This is the first time that Europe has flown an electric primary propulsion in space, and also the first European use of this particular type of ion engine, called a 'Hall-effect' thruster.<br /><br />The SEPP consists of a single ion engine fuelled by xenon gas and powered by solar energy. The ion engine will accelerate SMART-1 very gradually to cause the spacecraft to travel in a series of spiralling orbits - each revolution slightly further away from the Earth - towards the Moon. Once captured by the Moon's gravity, SMART-1 will move into ever-closer orbits of the Moon.<br /><br />As part of one of the overall mission objectives to test this new SEPP technology, the data will now be analysed to see how much acceleration was achieved and how smoothly the spacecraft travelled. If the ion engine is performing to expectations, ESA engineers will regularly power up the SEPP to send SMART-1 on its way.<br /><br />(source: ESA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launches<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Galaxy XIII/Horizons-1<br /><br />Launched: 1 October 2003<br />Site: Sea Launch's Odyssey platform in the Pacific Ocean<br />Launcher: Zenit 3SL<br />Orbit: GEO: 127° W<br />International Number: 2003-044A<br />Name: Galaxy XIII/Horizons-1<br />Owner: PanAmsat/JSAT<br />Contractor: Boeing Satellite Systems<br /><br />Galaxy XIII/Horizons-1 is a commercial communications satellite jointly owned and operated by PanAmSat and JSAT.<br /><br />The satellite carries 24 C band transponders and 24 Ku band transponders. Galaxy XIII/Horizons-1 has a launch mass of 4090 kg and a 15 year design life. The Boeing-built 601 HP spacecraft is designed to offer a variety of digital video, Internet and data services to North America, Central America, Alaska and Hawaii. The spacecraft's Ku band payload, designated Horizons-1, supports the Horizons joint venture of PanAmSat and JSAT and is jointly owned by the two companies. This payload provides expanded Ku band services in North America and extended services to Japan and Asia via a Hawaii-based relay station. The C band payload is known as Galaxy XIII and will be operated separately as part of PanAmSat's Galaxy cable neighborhood, which serves the US cable industry.<br /><br />The spacecraft will take over from Galaxy IX, which will migrate to 74° W longitude and become the new Galaxy replacement or in-orbit spare.<br /><br />(source: PanAmSat, Sea Launch)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Com Dev Announces US$ 20 Million Bought Deal<br /><br />(1 October 2003) Com Dev International Ltd has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by National Bank Financial Inc and CIBC World Markets Inc, which have agreed to purchase from the Company, on a bought deal basis, 9,523,809 common shares of the Company at a price of Cdn$ 2.10 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately Cdn$ 20 million.<br /><br />The underwriters have also been granted an over-allotment option, exercisable for a period of 30 days following closing, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the total common shares issued under the offering to cover over-allotments and for market stabilisation purposes.<br /><br />Net proceeds of the Offering shall be used by COM DEV to repay amounts owing under the THL Promissory Note. The offering is scheduled to close on or about October 20, 2003 and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and applicable securities regulatory authorities.<br /><br />During the run-up to concluding the agreement with THL, shareholders expressed concern about THL being paid in Com Dev stock and thereby acquiring a significant ownership interest in Com Dev. This bought deal ensures that this will not happen and provides a much more positive alternative of significantly increasing broad institutional ownership in the Company.<br /><br />Com Dev International also announced it has reached a settlement agreement with THL related to a long-standing dispute over the purchase of units in the SkyBridge Limited Partnership. Under the terms of a negotiated settlement with THL, the Company will issue a promissory note in the amount of Cdn$ 20,323,228 to THL, which will be repaid via four equal semi-annual instalments beginning in April 2004 and ending in October 2005. Interest on the outstanding balance will be charged at prime plus 2% for the duration of the note.<br /><br />The agreement to repay the notes in four instalments over two years allows the Company to use the new money raised now to fund the deliveries due as a result of a radically increased order backlog.<br /><br />(source: Com Dev)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Qualcomm to Acquire Alcatel's Mobicom Business<br /><br />(29 September 2003) The assets of Mobicom, a European mobile satellite data communications systems and service provider of Alcatel Space for the trucking market, are being purchased by Qualcomm Incorporated.<br /><br />As part of the transaction, Alcatel Mobicom's customer base will now be serviced and supported by Qualcomm Wireless Business Solutions Europe BV, headquartered in The Netherlands.<br /><br />The deal includes a transition agreement per which Alcatel will ensure that this transaction is seamless and transparent for the customers.<br /><br />The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.<br /><br />Selling these non-core operation activities will allow Alcatel Space to refocus its engineering force on new location based services applications for individual mobility in relation to the service of EGNOS and Galileo.<br /><br />(source: Alcatel Space)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Spacehab to Close Washington DC Office<br /><br />(1 October 2003) Spacehab Inc has announced that it will be closing its corporate office in Washington DC and consolidating those operations into its headquarters operations in Houston, Texas.<br /><br />The Company has initiated these actions as part of its continuing efforts to further reduce operating expenses and improve profitability. A transition plan to address the consolidation of functions currently operating from the Washington DC office is being developed. The Company expects to complete this transition by December 31, 2003.<br /><br />(source: Spacehab)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />XM Satellite Radio Completes Standard Exchange Offer<br /><br />(1 October 2003) XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc has completed its standard exchange offer for its 12% Senior Secured Notes due 2010.<br /><br />XM had offered holders of the notes, which were issued in a private placement under rule 144A, the opportunity to exchange those notes for new notes that are registered under the Securities Act of 1933.<br /><br />Each series of notes is issued by XM Satellite Radio Inc. and guaranteed by XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., and the terms of the new notes are substantially identical to the terms of the old notes except that the new notes are freely tradable.<br /><br />(source: XM Satellite Radio Holdings)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Globalstar Extends Data Monitoring Service to the Middle East<br /><br />(30 September 2003) Globalstar has extended preliminary availability of its low-cost data monitoring service to parts of the Middle East, with full commercial availability expected there by the end of this year. This follows the successful introduction of this service earlier this year across the US and Canada.<br /><br />Globalstar's data monitoring service provides inexpensive, automated simplex data transmission via satellite, in real time, for use in asset tracking and sensory telemetry monitoring. Typical applications include position location of vehicles such as trucks and shipping containers, as well as automated monitoring of temperature, pressure and throughput of oil and gas pipelines, eliminating the need for manual meter reading.<br /><br />Because the data is sent back to a customer's monitoring facility via Globalstar's constellation of low-earth-orbiting satellites, information can be received at any time from remote installations far beyond the reach of ground-based communications systems.<br /><br />This service, which uses palm-size simplex modems developed in co-operation with AeroAstro Inc, was introduced in the US and Canada earlier this year and is gradually being added to Globalstar's range of communications services region by region elsewhere in the world.<br /><br />Data monitoring is now available on a limited basis from via Globalstar Eurasia's gateway in Ogulbey, Turkey, which serves Turkey and areas to the south and east, including the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq. Full commercial availability is expected before year-end following local regulatory approvals.<br /><br />Over time, Globalstar expects to offer data monitoring services in other areas around the world, starting with Europe, Mexico and South America in the months ahead.<br /><br />(source: Globalstar)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />HNS Introduces New DirecWay Broadband Satellite Terminal<br /><br />(30 September 2003) Hughes Network Systems Inc (HNS) has introduced the latest member of its family of DirecWay broadband terminals, the DW6000. The DW6000 is self-hosting, thereby eliminating the requirement to install any special software on customers' computers and extending DirecWay service to Apple Macintosh PCs, beyond Windows-based systems.<br /><br />The DW6000 incorporates an advanced, single-board architecture, offering an Ethernet output for easy connection to LAN networks and satellite-based service activation, which eliminates the need for a terrestrial line. In addition to high-speed Internet and intranet/VPN access, it supports all of the feature-rich DirecWay services offered to current customers, such as content delivery, multicasting, music distribution, training, digital media streaming, and distance learning and training. Key features of the new equipment include:<br /><br />* Ethernet interface for quick installation and easy connection to any<br /> hub/router;<br />* No dedicated PC/server required for sharing connection with multiple PCs;<br />* One-step "plug-and-play" networking eliminating the need to install<br /> drivers or other software;<br />* Compatibility with Windows and Macintosh operating systems.<br /><br />Beginning September 29, the DW6000 will be available to subscribers of DirecWay residential services in the United States and will be offered through all DirecWay US sales channels, including independent and national retailers, as well as on-line.<br /><br />Internationally, the DW6000 will be sold to enterprise customers by HNS' regional sales offices and also will be available from authorised value-added resellers and service providers.<br /><br />(source: Hughes Network Systems Europe)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />MotoSAT Introduces the F3 DataStorm<br /><br />(2 October 2003) For US$ 99 a month in bandwidth fees, an organisation may mount a mobile satellite system to the roof of their truck and receive high-speed Internet from almost everywhere on the North American continent.<br /><br />MotoSAT, makers of the popular DataStorm for mobile satellite connectivity, has been developing a commercial grade mobile satellite system that more than doubles the signal strength of the satellite connection. Dubbed the "F3", this commercial grade DataStorm uses a much larger 1.2 meter satellite dish compared to the smaller 0.74 meter system popular in the consumer market. The larger dish will allow an organisation to stay online in weak signal areas or during sever rain, as well as extend access to Canada, Alaska, Mexico and the Caribbean. The DataStorm is also being used throughout Europe and the Middle East.<br /><br />The DataStorm is a fully automatic, all weather satellite system that works with a personal computer. It can be easily networked to multiple computers with additional hardware. From a parked position, the system may be deployed and lock on satellite in about 3 to 7 minutes. Download speeds are normally 400 to 1500 kb/s rivalling DSL and T1 speeds. Many companies are developing WI-FI access points with the DataStorm to create immediate Hot Spots anywhere the vehicle is parked.<br /><br />(source: MotoSat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />People<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Bylciw Named President of Pratt's Space Operations<br /><br />(1 October 2003) Pratt and Whitney has named Walter Bylciw as president of its Space and Russian Programs unit. Bylciw succeeds Larry Knauer who resigned to pursue opportunities outside Pratt & Whitney.<br /><br />Bylciw, who most recently served as executive vice president-military engine programs, will lead all of Pratt and Whitney's liquid and solid-fuel rocket engine businesses in West Palm Beach, Florida and San Jose, California. In addition he will oversee Pratt's partnership with NPO Energomash in Russia to market the RD-180 rocket engine for commercial and military launch vehicles.<br /><br />(source: Pratt and Whitney)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Iridium Holdings LLC Announces Management Succession<br /><br />(2 October 2003) Iridium Holdings LLC, holding company for global satellite communications company Iridium Satellite LLC, has announced that Dan Colussy will retire as chairman of the board.<br /><br />Mr Colussy, who shepherded the company from its founding in December 2000 through to financial break-even, will continue his association with Iridium as an Investor and member of the board of directors with the title of chairman emeritus. Carmen Lloyd, who until recently served as president and chief executive officer of Stratos Global Corporation , a major provider of satellite communications services world-wide, has been named as chairman and chief executive officer of Iridium Holdings LLC and its wholly- owned operating subsidiary, Iridium Satellite LLC, effective immediately. Gino Picasso will continue in his position as president of Iridium Satellite LLC.<br /><br />In December 2000, Colussy and a small group of investors founded Iridium Satellite LLC by acquiring the assets of Iridium LLC out of bankruptcy. Under Colussy's leadership, the new company launched service four months later and has since grown into a leader in the Mobile Satellite Systems (MSS) marketplace, providing voice and data services to commercial, government and individual users world-wide. Today's changes reflect an orderly management transition for Iridium Satellite as it moves into a new phase of growth and opportunity now that the company has achieved an operating cash flow positive status.<br /><br />Lloyd brings more than 15 years of leadership experience with multinational corporations including Rolls Royce plc, Canadian Marconi Company, Pratt and Whitney Canada and Westinghouse Canada. In his most recent position as CEO of Stratos Global, Lloyd helped the publicly-traded company triple its revenues over a three-year period while also raising significant capital.<br /><br />(source: Iridium Holdings)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Media Industry Leader Joins SES Americom<br /><br />(30 September 2003) Bryan A McGuirk has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Domestic Satellite Services at SES Americom. In this role McGuirk is responsible for building the company's core entertainment and enterprise businesses throughout the US.<br /><br />McGuirk has extensive experience with business and sales issues associated with developing media-based businesses. As the President, Programming and Advertising of California-based OpenTV, he was at the forefront of many interactive programming developments for both advertisers and programmers. Added to that are executive and management responsibilities at TViFusion, a digital cable network development and operations company; NBC Television Network, in both affiliate relations and NBC Asia; and Turner International, launching CNN, TNT and Cartoon Network in Asian markets. McGuirk received his BA in Managerial Economics from Union College in Schenectady, and his MBA from Emory University in Atlanta. He is active in many industry associations including serving as a board member of the Interactive Television Alliance.<br /><br />(source: SES Americom)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Robert Law to Join Sirius as Senior VP of Retail Operations<br /><br />(29 September 2003) Sirius has announced that consumer electronics industry veteran, Robert Law, is joining the company as Senior Vice President of Retail Operations.<br /><br />Law, who most recently was Senior Vice President of the consumer division of Kenwood USA Corporation in Long Beach, California, will oversee all aspects of Sirius' growing retail business, including sales, merchandising, hardware distribution, and sales planning.<br /><br />Law served in many management positions while at Kenwood USA since 1990, including Regional Sales Manager and Director of Sales and Marketing for its mobile electronics products, National Marketing Manager for home electronics, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for its consumer division.<br /><br />(source: Sirius Satellite Radio)<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
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