Microcom's Space Newsfeed 25 January 2004<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Web resources from Microcom Systems:<br /><br />Satellite Industry Links: the largest 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 space bookshop http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk<br /><br />Jobs in Space: space industry recruitment http://www.space-jobs.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Handbook of Satellite Services in Europe<br /><br />This unique publication provides detailed information on all aspects of the European satellite scene including extensive data on service providers, national regulations, satellites used in Europe as well as background on satellite communications technology. http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/pubs/ssie.html<br /><br />January 2004 issue now available.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Advertise on Microcom's websites and reach over 25,000 space and satellite industry professionals each month. http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/ratecard.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Contents<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms:<br />ATK to Supply Composite Components For A2100 Satellites<br />GS Telecom and Kingston Get Businesses Across Africa<br />Loral to Initiate Limited Service on Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul in March<br />The Horror Channel Signs Kingston inmedia for Playout<br /><br />Earth Observation:<br />NASA Satellites Improve Response to Global Agricultural Change<br />New NASA Topographical Data-Release<br />Space Imaging Supports US Forest Service in California<br /><br />Military Space:<br />Alcatel Named Prime Contractor for SPIRALE Early Warning Satellites<br />Trimble Wins US Air Force GeoBase Program Contracts<br />USAF Awards US$ 472 Million Contacts for Next-Generation Military System<br /><br />Science:<br />Mars Express Sees Its First Water - Scientific Results<br />Opportunity Rover Lands Safely on Mars<br />Problems for Mars Rover Spirit<br /><br />Manned Space:<br />International Space Station Research Institute On Hold<br />Spacehab Files Claim for Research Double Module Lost on Columbia Mission<br />Spacehab Positions for Next Phase of Space Station Program<br /><br />Technology:<br />Captive Carry Test Prepares NASA for Next Hyper-X Flight<br />eMagin OLED Selected for Sensics SkyVisor Display for NASA Telerobotics<br /><br />Business:<br />Comtech Announces Proposes US$ 75 Million Convertible Senior Notes Offering<br /><br />Products and Services:<br />Netbysky and Astra: High Speed Satellite Internet For France<br /><br />People:<br />Lisa Malone Named Director of NASA-KSC External Relations and Business Development<br />Nick Stubbs Appointed MD Of Astra Marketing France<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 />Space Bookshop - books for space professionals.<br />http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/bookshop.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ATK to Supply Composite Components For A2100 Satellites<br /><br />(21 January 2004) ATK (Alliant Techsystems) has signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems to supply composite satellite components for the company's A2100 communications satellite series. The five-year agreement has the potential to grow beyond US$ 80 million of new business.<br /><br />Work on the contract will be performed at ATK's Composite Optics Inc (COI) facilities in San Diego, California and Salt Lake City, Utah.<br /><br />The agreement calls for ATK to provide reflectors, satellite bus structures, standard antenna support structures, solar array substrates for power generation, as well as yokes and booms.<br /><br />(source: Alliant Techsystems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />GS Telecom and Kingston Get Businesses Across Africa<br /><br />(22 January 2004) GS Telecom is putting a host of applications including high speed data, Internet connectivity and VoIP within the reach of businesses across the continent via two-way satellite connectivity. GS Telecom has selected a cost effective solution from Kingston inmedia to enable its new VSAT service, ‘AfricaConnect’.<br /><br />The Kingston solution comprises collocation services for AfricaConnect’s i-Direct hub, uplink on to New Skies Satellites’ NSS 7 and Tier 1 Internet backbone access, enabling fast and direct connectivity to and from the remote terminals and the UK hub.<br /><br />By partnering with Kingston for the two-way solution, GS Telecom is able service its corporate customers more cost effectively as well as offer a host of applications such as Internet, data, Voice over IP and Virtual Private Networks. Thanks to the extensive reach of this particular satellite, businesses across the entire African continent, and some based in parts of Europe and the Middle East will have access to diverse new applications.<br /><br />The i-Direct hub, hosted at Kingston’s London-based teleport facility, is connected to remote terminal locations via a direct satellite circuit. Each remote terminal includes a built-in router and firewall. Data speeds from 16 to 512 kb/s will be available from the remote sites and up to 9 Mb/s from the hub to the remotes, providing fast and reliable broadband IP connections.<br /><br />The GS Telecom Group of Companies is a leading supplier of wireless and satellite systems in Africa. GS Telecom provides comprehensive communication services for networks throughout the continent, and from Africa to hubs in the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom. The company has offices in Nigeria (4), Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique and Angola, and maintenance bases in Mali, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom. The company is currently providing service in over 30 countries in Africa.<br /><br />(source: Kingston inmedia)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Loral to Initiate Limited Service on Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul in March<br /><br />(21 January 2004) Loral Space & Communications will begin limited service on its Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul 1 satellite in March. Following launch on January 11, the Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul 1 communications satellite fully deployed its South solar array but only partially deployed its North solar array. An investigation into the cause of the anomaly and the implementation of any corrective actions is ongoing.<br /><br />Space Systems/Loral, the manufacturer of the satellite, is raising the satellite to geostationary orbit. Telstar 14/Estrela do Sul is generating enough power to operate a minimum of 17 Ku band transponders, making it capable of meeting immediate customer requirements, as well as Brazilian government requirements.<br /><br />The satellite, to be operated by Loral Skynet do Brasil at 63° West, was sent into space on January 11, 2004 on a Boeing Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket from the Odyssey Launch Platform, positioned on the equator in the Pacific Ocean. It is insured for partial and total losses up to a maximum of US$ 250 million.<br /><br />(source: Loral Space and Communications)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />The Horror Channel Signs Kingston inmedia for Playout<br /><br />(20 January 2004) The Horror Channel on BSkyB is to use Kingston inmedia for fully-managed playout, satellite uplinking and as satellite space segment provider. The exclusive transmission deal follows intense competition and keeps The Horror Channel’s launch plans on track for the end of March 2004.<br /><br />The Horror Channel can leave the ingest and playout of the new channel, as well as satellite services, in the hands of just one supplier. It is the latest of more than 30 BSkyB channels to select Kingston inmedia as transmission partner.<br /><br />The Horror Channel will supply schedules to Kingston electronically. Kingston will then ingest the content onto disk for playback according to the schedules. Kingston will also provide ‘as-run’ logs suitable for BARB analysis. The 24/7 fully managed playout centre will enable the Horror Channel to extend broadcast time beyond 6pm-6am to 24 hours a day.<br /><br />The Horror Channel Limited (The Horror Channel) is the UK’s first channel dedicated to horror movies, TV series and the people who make them. Available through BSkyB as free-to-air from early 2004, the channel will broadcast daily between 6pm and 6am.<br /><br />(source: Kingston inmedia)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Earth Observation<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Satellites Improve Response to Global Agricultural Change<br /><br />(20 January 2004) NASA's Earth satellite observing systems are helping the US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) improve the accuracy and timeliness of information they provide about important crops around the world. FAS information is crucial in decisions affecting US agriculture, trade policy, and food aid.<br /><br />NASA and the University of Maryland are providing the FAS with observations and data products from instruments on NASA's Aqua and Terra satellites and from the TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellites. FAS analysts are using these products to regularly assess global agricultural conditions.<br /><br />NASA provides daily, high-quality, observations of the Earth. The timeliness and quality of these science data products are used to support decision support tools employed by FAS to assess crop productivity over large areas of the world. NASA products allow FAS analysts to distinguish between different crops such as wheat and rice and permit analysts to measure other features like surface temperature and snow cover. Analysts can gauge the health of agriculture by comparing recent and historic data. NASA satellites collect data twice daily, Terra in the morning and Aqua in the afternoon.<br /><br />Frequent satellite observations are important so analysts can assess how natural disasters such as fires, volcanic eruptions, floods, storms, or even extreme temperatures, affect crops. The information is often crucial to international food aid organisations. Earth Science products quickly demonstrated their utility as they helped analysts identify and monitor new areas of irrigated agriculture in the Middle East.<br /><br />NASA's Rapid Response System processes and delivers observations to FAS usually less than four hours after it is collected. Scientists at the University of Maryland are creating an archive and an interface that enables analysts to compare current and historical conditions.<br /><br />Altimetry data from the TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason satellites are used to monitor the water level of 100 lakes and reservoirs around the world. Innovative use of these data to measure lake and reservoir water levels in an operational manner has proven valuable. The information allows FAS analysts monitor the duration of droughts, assess how much water is available for irrigated farmland in arid regions and, as a result, how much of a crop the region is able to produce.<br /><br />The TRMM satellite provides near real-time observations about precipitation for mid-latitudes. Rainfall has a large impact on both rain-fed and irrigated crops. TRMM data helps analysts gauge planting and growing conditions and predict the size of the harvest with greater reliability.<br /><br />Applications of NASA's Earth Science research enable the use of observations, measurements and models to improve agency partners' decision-making capabilities. FAS has benefited from incorporating products from Earth observation systems into operational procedures.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />New NASA Topographical Data-Release<br /><br />(22 January 2004) Gathered in just 10 days by NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) in February 2000, the new digital elevation data set showcases some of Earth's most diverse, mysterious and extreme topography. Much of it previously had been very poorly mapped due to persistent cloud cover or inaccessible terrain. The new data being released comprise more than one-third of the entire SRTM data set.<br /><br />People around the world will benefit from the release of the SRTM Europe and Asia topographic data sets because they greatly extend our knowledge of this immense region that also is home to most of Earth's citizens<br /><br />Releasing the Eurasia SRTM data provides geospatial data users with a remarkably consistent Earth-elevation surface. This enhances global knowledge, provides a baseline for any future comparisons, and delivers accuracy and integrity unparalleled in any other global-elevation model of the Earth. This SRTM data represents 40 percent of the data collected during the mission that covered roughly 80 percent of the landmass of the Earth.<br /><br />The area covered in the current data-release stretches eastward from the British Isles and the Iberian Peninsula in the west, across the Alps and Carpathian Mountains, as well as the Northern European Plain, to the Ural and Caucasus Mountains bordering Asia. The Asian coverage includes a great variety of landforms, including the Tibetan Plateau, Tarim Basin, Mongolian Plateau and the mountains surrounding Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake. Mt. Everest in the Himalayas, at 8,848 meters is the world's highest mountain. From India's Deccan Plateau, to Southeast Asia, coastal China, and Korea, various landforms place constraints on land-use planning during periods of population growth. Volcanoes in the East Indies, the Philippines, Japan and the Kamchatka Peninsula form the western part of the "Ring of Fire" around the Pacific Ocean.<br /><br />Previous releases from the mission covered North and South America. Forthcoming releases in 2004 will include Africa-Arabia and Australia, as well as an "islands" release for those islands not included in the continental data-releases. Together, these data-releases constitute the world's first high-resolution, near-global elevation model. The resolution of these data for Europe and Asia is three arc seconds (1/1,200 of a degree of latitude and longitude), which is about 90 meters.<br /><br />The SRTM mission is a co-operative project of NASA, NGA and the German and Italian space agencies. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory processed the data into research-quality digital elevation data. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is providing additional processing to develop mapping products. The US Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center provides final archiving and distribution of the SRTM data products.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Space Imaging Supports US Forest Service in California<br /><br />(22 January 2004) Space Imaging has been awarded a contract to continue providing geographic information services (GIS) in support of the operations of the US Forest Service's Regional Office in Vallejo, California, its Remote Sensing Laboratory in Sacramento and the 18 national forests throughout California's Region 5. The contract has a maximum potential value of US$ 1,300,000 over three years.<br /><br />Space Imaging has successfully provided GIS support services on-site at USDA Forest Service offices in Region 5 for the past 12 years. This on-going support has helped the Forest Service establish a robust GIS infrastructure throughout California. Space Imaging currently staffs 14 employees in Region 5, with combined experience of more than 40 years of service to the Forest Service.<br /><br />Under this Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, Space Imaging will continue to provide professional services and expertise in the areas of vegetation mapping, inventory and analysis, geospatial data capture, database updating, natural resource modelling and analysis, GIS application development, and cartographic map production.<br /><br />(source: Space Imaging)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Military Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Alcatel Named Prime Contractor for SPIRALE Early Warning Satellites<br /><br />(20 January 2004) Alcatel Space has been chosen by EADS Astrium, prime contractor for the SPIRALE (Système Préparatoire Infra-Rouge pour l’Alerte) early warning program, to build two demonstration satellites.<br /><br />The SPIRALE program, worth 124 million Euros, involves the supply and operation of a complete ballistic missile early warning system. It will gather and analyse infrared images of terrestrial backgrounds to detect ballistic missiles during their powered phase, just after launch. Alcatel Space is prime contractor for the space segment, comprising two 120-kg class microsatellites in elliptical orbit. They will be launched in 2008 by an Ariane 5 rocket. A first in Europe, this demonstration program is designed to pave the way for a future spaceborne early warning system using optical sensors. This system would be key to an anti-ballistic missile defence system, as well as contributing to other missions, such as monitoring of weapon proliferation, for the French defence procurement agency DGA.<br /><br />(source: Alcatel Space)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Trimble Wins US Air Force GeoBase Program Contracts<br /><br />(20 January 2004) Trimble has been awarded two contracts from the US Air Force (USAF) to provide Global Positioning System (GPS) surveying and mapping systems. The GPS equipment will be used as part of the GeoBase Civil Engineering Program for world-wide surveying and construction projects. The contracts are valued at approximately US$ 5 million.<br /><br />Under the contract, Trimble will supply GPS Total Station 5700 GPS surveying systems, GPS Pathfinder Pro XRS mapping systems, GeoExplorer CE series GPS handheld receivers, and training. The systems will be used to collect accurate position data to map USAF Base installation assets as well as build base camps and airfields world-wide. The integration of position data with asset information will assist in managing the USAF Base installation's physical infrastructure. In addition, the systems may be used to assist during natural disasters and with community service projects.<br /><br />The GeoBase program represents a major paradigm shift in how geospatial information resources are being acquired, implemented, exploited, and sustained on USAF installations around the world. GeoBase aims to deliver a comprehensive, integrated geospatial information infrastructure supporting "Blue Force" basing requirements.<br /><br />With the vision of "One Installation...One Map", GeoBase will give commanders a decision support tool providing a common, georeferenced view of all their infrastructure assets to answer questions such as - what is it, where is it, and what's around each installation.<br /><br />The Trimble GPS Total Station 5700 is an easy-to-use modular system. It provides surveyors with total flexibility, using different set-up configurations for all types of surveying tasks. The receiver can be configured with all the components and mounted on a lightweight range pole or worn with a belt pouch. The system can also be mounted on a tripod, vehicle, boat, ATV or placed in a backpack.<br /><br />The systems include dual-frequency 5700 GPS receivers, ruggedised handheld TSCE controllers, Trimble Geomatics Office processing software, radios, antennas and accessories which include back packs, tripods, transit cases and batteries. Each system can be deployed as either a precision mobile survey unit or as a reference station to provide Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) data signals to the mobile unit. With the addition of the 5700 RTK systems, the USAF survey equipment now includes GPS, servo and robotic total stations from Trimble.<br /><br />At the heart of the system is a low-power, GPS receiver, which provides higher speed, longer battery life, better satellite tracking and higher precision in extreme environments. The GPS receiver also includes an internal radio modem and the extended Real-time Kinematic (eRTK) technology, which can cover areas up to four times larger than conventional RTK.<br /><br />The 5700 receiver is housed in an extremely rugged, space-age magnesium alloy case which is lighter than aluminium, yet 30% stronger. The receiver weighs less than 1.4kgs, including batteries for a full day's work, internal radio, radio antenna and internal charger.<br /><br />In addition, the GPS system works with the Zephyr and Zephyr Geodetic antennas, both using the patented Trimble 4-point antenna feed technology. The Zephyr Geodetic antenna features the patented Trimble Stealth ground plane technology, which mitigates multipath signals.<br /><br />The GeoExplorer CE series is a new tool for GPS/GIS data collection and mobile GIS applications. The versatile, rugged GPS CE handhelds combines the power of Microsoft's Windows CE platform and a high performance Trimble GPS receiver with integrated Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capability - all in a lightweight handheld.<br /><br />(source: Trimble)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />USAF Awards US$ 472 Million Contacts for Next-Generation Military System<br /><br />(23 January 2004) Two teams, a Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman team and a Boeing team, have each been awarded a contract valued at approximately US$ 472 million to enter the Risk Reduction and System Definition phase of the US Air Force’s Transformational Communications MILSATCOM (TCM) Space Segment. TCM will provide thousands of users with significantly improved, highly mobile, beyond line-of-sight protected communications to support the future battlefield.<br /><br />Under the contract awarded by the MILSATCOM Joint Program Office, Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, at Los Angeles AFB two industry teams will conduct risk reduction demonstrations and system trade studies over a 27-month period. This effort will culminate with a multi-billion dollar development contract to be awarded to a single contractor in 2006. This effort provides critical technology maturation for the system, which is slated for launch beginning in 2011.<br /><br />The Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman team also includes Rockwell Collins, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, L-3 Communications, Stratogis, Cisco, C&H Associates, and ViaSat in an effort to bring together industry leaders and expertise in all aspects of the end-to-end architecture. Lockheed Martin Space Systems will serve as the prime contractor and systems integrator for the TCM Space Segment. Northrop Grumman will provide the satellites’ transformational payloads, end-to-end communication systems engineering, and payload ground processing.<br /><br />Boeing and its industry team members are contributing innovations on other transformational DoD systems such as Future Combat Systems, Joint Tactical Radio System, and Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals. The Boeing team is integrating the expertise gained from these programs directly into this program. System design will be conducted at Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS). The Boeing team for the effort includes Raytheon, Ball Aerospace, General Dynamics, IBM, L-3 Communications, Cisco Systems, BBN Technologies, Hughes Network Systems, Lucent Technologies, Harris, EMS Technologies, and Alpha Informatics.<br /><br />TCM represents the next step toward transitioning the Department of Defense wideband and protected communications satellite architecture into a single network comprised of multiple satellite, ground, and user segment components. The system will network mobile warfighters, sensors, weapons, communications command and control nodes located on UAVs, piloted aircraft, on the ground, in the air, at sea or in space. TCM is one of several elements that make up the Transformational Communications architecture that the national security space community has developed over the last two years.<br /><br />The Transformational Communications MILSATCOM Space Segment incorporates laser communications, next-generation processors and routers, internet protocol, information assurance, network management, and other advanced technologies into an architecture that is compatible with future and legacy space and ground network systems. The system provides survivable, strategic communications services as well as new capabilities such as communications on the move for tactical users, and enhanced airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance connectivity.<br /><br />(source: Boeing, Lockheed Martin Space Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Science<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Mars Express Sees Its First Water - Scientific Results<br /><br />(23 January 2004) Mars Express, ESA's first mission to Mars, will reach its final orbit on 28 January. It has already been producing stunning results since its first instrument was switched on, on 5 January.<br /><br />One of the main targets of the Mars Express mission is to discover the presence of water in one of its chemical states. Through the initial mapping of the south polar cap on 18 January, OMEGA, the combined camera and infrared spectrometer, has already revealed the presence of water ice and carbon dioxide ice. This information was confirmed by the PFS, a new high-resolution spectrometer of unprecedented accuracy. The first PFS data also show that the carbon oxide distribution is different in the northern and southern hemispheres of Mars.<br /><br />The MaRS instrument, a sophisticated radio transmitter and receiver, emitted a first signal successfully on 21 January that was received on Earth through a 70-metre antenna in Australia after it was reflected and scattered from the surface of Mars. This new measurement technique allows the detection of the chemical composition of the Mars atmosphere, ionosphere and surface.<br /><br />ASPERA, a plasma and energetic neutral atoms analyser, is aiming to answer the fundamental question of whether solar wind erosion led to the present lack of water on Mars. The preliminary results show a difference in the characteristics between the impact of the solar wind area and the measurement made in the tail of Mars. Another exciting experiment was run by the SPICAM instrument (an ultraviolet and infrared spectrometer) during the first star occultation ever made at Mars. It has simultaneously measured the distribution of ozone and water vapour, which has never been done before, revealing that there is more water vapour where there is less ozone.<br /><br />ESA also presented astonishing pictures produced with the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). They represent the outcome of 1.87 million square km of Martian surface coverage, and about 100 gigabytes of processed data. This camera was also able to make the longest swath (up to 4000 km) and largest area in combination with high resolution ever taken in the exploration of the Solar System.<br /><br />(source: ESA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Opportunity Rover Lands Safely on Mars<br /><br />(25 January 2004) NASA's Opportunity Mars Exploration Rover has safely landed in the Meridiani Planum region of Mars, on the opposite side of the planet to its ailing twin rover, Spirit.<br /><br />Opportunity reached Mars at 12:05 a.m. Sunday EST, sending signals back to controllers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as it bounced across the Martian surface. As it came to rest a few minutes later it sent a final beep to Earth indicating it had arrived in operational condition. A few hours later, Opportunity sent the first pictures of the landing site back to Earth.<br /><br />Opportunity's landing site at Meridiani Planum was chosen because of the large deposits of hematite, an iron oxide, in the area which may have formed in an ancient sea or lake, or which could have resulted from the activity of hot springs.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Problems for Mars Rover Spirit<br /><br />(25 January 2004) NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Spirit stopped communicating on Wednesday. After re-establishing communications with the ailing rover on Friday, engineers at JPL believe they now know the source of the problem and are working on returning the rover to service.<br /><br />The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) control centre first lost contact with Spirit on Wednesday, but believed the problem was due to thunderstorms over the Deep Space Network dish at Canberra, Australia that was being used for communications with the rover. By Thursday, JPL had realised that Spirit had suffered a "very serious anomaly". Several attempts to make contact with the rover directly and via the Mars Odyssey and Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft, in orbit around Mars, failed to produce any results.<br /><br />Mars Global Surveyor did manage to receive a signal during one pass over the rover's landing site, but the transmission just contained random ones and zeros indicating that the radio transmitter on the rover was operational but was not being fed by data by the computer.<br /><br />Hopes were raised on Friday when communications with the rover were temporarily re-established. This provided some limited information on the rover's status. The power systems were working and Spirit could receive commands and generate responses. However, the onboard computer suffered frequent crashes - more than 60 times over a two day period - indicating a hardware problem somewhere which was affecting the software operating the rover. The rover was not able to use its high gain antenna and the batteries were drained every night because the rover was not closing down at night to conserve battery power.<br /><br />Engineers have now found a way to communicate reliably with the rover and are working to get Spirit's computer out of a cycle of rebooting many times a day. Spirit's responses to commands sent Saturday morning confirmed a theory the problem is related to the rover's two "flash" memories or software controlling those memories.<br /><br />Spirit has 256 megabytes of flash memory, a type commonly used on gear such as digital cameras for holding data even when the power is off. Engineers confirmed Spirit's recent symptoms are related to the flash memory, when they commanded the rover to boot up and use random-access memory instead of flash memory. The rover obeyed commands about communicating and going into sleep mode. Spirit communicated successfully at 120 bits per second for nearly an hour.<br /><br />By commanding Spirit into a mode that avoids using flash memory, engineers plan to get it to communicate at a higher data rate, diagnose the cause of the problem and develop ways to restore as much function as possible.<br /><br />In parallel with the problems with Spirit, the rover's twin landed safely at Meridiani Planum on the other side of Mars early on Sunday January 25th.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Manned Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />International Space Station Research Institute On Hold<br /><br />(22 January 2004) NASA's plan to establish an International Space Station Research Institute (ISSRI) has been postponed. A draft Statement of Work was released in September 5, 2003, and a draft Request for Proposal was scheduled for release in winter 2004.<br /><br />The decision was made following the President's January 14 announcement of a new vision for NASA's space exploration program. A feature of the new plan is a re-focused research effort on the International Space Station to better understand and overcome the effects of human space flight on astronaut health, increasing the safety of future space missions. NASA will implement, as its priority for the International Space Station, research that specifically enables this human exploration vision.<br /><br />NASA will delay the procurement of the ISSRI for at least one year while the agency reconsiders establishing a new institute and potentially updating its plan. The agency may also choose to terminate the ISSRI procurement efforts.<br /><br />NASA had planned to contract a non-government organisation to establish an institute to manage Space Station research. The objective of the planned institute was to promote research planning, co-ordination, and advocacy for maximum use of the Station by US science, technology and commercial communities.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Spacehab Files Claim for Research Double Module Lost on Columbia Mission<br /><br />(20 January 2004) Spacehab Incorporated has filed a formal claim against NASA for US$ 87.7 million for the value of its Research Double Module (RDM) and related equipment that was destroyed during the STS-107 Space Shuttle Columbia accident.<br /><br />In July 2003 Spacehab submitted a detailed claim in draft to NASA for recovery of its RDM investment of US$ 87.0 million. The claim has since been revised and re-filed with NASA to incorporate the findings of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board report. NASA has sixty days to respond to the claim or request an extension period.<br /><br />Spacehab's contract with NASA included an indemnification provision providing for any loss of, or damage to, the Company's flight hardware up to US$ 8.0 million. Spacehab's final claim in the amount of US$ 87.7 million includes a separately filed claim for the US$ 8.0 million contractually-stipulated provision plus losses in addition to those contractually specified. The Company believes that such additional amounts are justified and substantiated. Any amounts paid by NASA in support of the US$ 8.0 million contract provision will be deducted from the total claim amount.<br /><br />Spacehab is pursuing discussions with NASA with the goal of settling the claim as soon as possible. As a result of the RDM loss, the Company was required to write off the entire book value of the module net of the commercial insurance recovery. This loss resulted in a material reduction in property, plant, and equipment assets as of March 2003.<br /><br />In February 2003 Spacehab received US$ 17.7 million from the proceeds of its commercial insurance policy. In January 2004 Spacehab received a complaint from Lloyd's of London, the Company's insurer for the RDM, demanding return of the US$ 17.7 million paid Spacehab alleging that the Company, among other things, breached the contracts of insurance by demanding and receiving the insurance proceeds before NASA had paid, or agreed to pay, the contractually obligated US$ 8.0 million loss proceeds. Spacehab believes that Lloyd's complaint is without merit and will respond to the Lloyd's complaint accordingly.<br /><br />(source: Spacehab)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Spacehab Positions for Next Phase of Space Station Program<br /><br />(22 January 2004) Spacehab Incorporated has announced a two-step restructuring of its space shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) support operations that expands Spacehab's core competencies and streamlines its services to NASA.<br /><br />Spacehab is establishing a contract with Cargo Mission Contractor, Lockheed Martin Corporation, to provide International Space Station (ISS) re-supply services previously performed directly for NASA. The new contract ensures Spacehab will continue its substantial contribution to the ISS program and maintains Spacehab's role as an integral member of the ISS cargo mission team.<br /><br />Additionally, Spacehab is bolstering its systems integration and operations capabilities by bringing these functions in-house in support of its logistics and research modules. These activities were previously performed by The Boeing Company under contract to Spacehab. Spacehab is transitioning a portion of this work to Lockheed Martin and the majority of the services will be performed or managed within Spacehab.<br /><br />Spacehab will now be performing end-to-end mission integration functions, developing new flight hardware, and conducting the sustaining engineering on its existing modules and carriers. This move will reduce costs for NASA, increase flexibility in responding quickly to changing customer requirements, and build upon existing core Spacehab capabilities needed to support future logistics and research missions to the ISS.<br /><br />Spacehab responded to Lockheed Martin's sole source request for proposal to provide NASA with an Integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC) on space shuttle mission ULF1.1 (STS-121), a Logistics Single Module (LSM) and an ICC on 12A.1 (STS-116), and an LSM and an ICC on 13A.1 (STS-118).<br /><br />(source: Spacehab)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Technology<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Captive Carry Test Prepares NASA for Next Hyper-X Flight<br /><br />(22 January 2004) The second of three unpiloted X-43A vehicles in NASA's Hyper-X program is being prepared for a no earlier than January 24, 2004, captive carry flight, which is the dress rehearsal for its free flight currently scheduled for February 21, 2004.<br /><br />Pending thorough evaluation of all flight data, the captive-carry test could lead to the December flight of the X-43A stack. The stack, consisting of the X-43A and its modified Pegasus booster will be air-launched by NASA's B-52 carrier aircraft at 40,000 feet altitude. The booster will accelerate the experimental vehicle to Mach 7 at approximately 95,000 feet altitude. At booster burnout, the X-43 will separate and fly under its own power on a pre-programmed path.<br /><br />Distinctive to the X-43A is the blending of its integrated airframe with a scramjet or supersonic combustion ramjet engine, intended to make the X-43A the first air-breathing hypersonic vehicle in free flight. The hydrogen-fuelled aircraft has a wingspan of approximately 5 feet, measures 12 feet long and weighs about 2,800 pounds.<br /><br />The flight of vehicle two is programmed for Mach 7 - seven times the speed of sound. The third vehicle of the series is planned to reach Mach 10. Using an air-breathing scramjet engine instead of conventional rocket power, the X-43A could be the forerunner in providing faster, more reliable and less expensive access to space. A scramjet uses oxygen from the atmosphere, unlike rockets that must carry oxidiser onboard. This could enable scramjet vehicles to carry bigger payloads, travel farther, or be smaller than comparable rocket vehicles.<br /><br />On June 2, 2001, the first X-43A vehicle was lost moments after the stack was released from the wing of the B-52. Following booster ignition, the combined booster and X-43A vehicle deviated from its flight path and was deliberately terminated.<br /><br />Investigation into the mishap showed that there was no single contributing factor but the root cause of the booster going off its trajectory was resolved through development of better analytical models and modification of the control system in the booster. Now, the booster will carry less propellant and will be released from 40,000 feet instead of 20,000 feet as was done in the first flight.<br /><br />Due to risky nature of the flight, the experimental aircraft will fly in the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Sea Range over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of southern California, where after powered flight, it will glide to a safe impact and sink.<br /><br />NASA's Langley Research Center and Dryden Flight Research Center conduct the Hyper-X program jointly. Allied Aerospace Industries built both the vehicle and the engine, and Boeing North American designed the thermal protection and propulsion control systems. The booster is a modified Pegasus rocket from Orbital Sciences Corp.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />eMagin OLED Selected for Sensics SkyVisor Display for NASA Telerobotics<br /><br />(21 January 2004) eMagin's OLED microdisplays are to be a key enabler of the viewing system being developed by Sensics for the Robonaut, a humanoid robot being developed by NASA and DARPA.<br /><br />Supported by funding from a Phase II SBIR contract, Sensics will develop a proprietary wide field-of-view high-resolution camera to match the wide field-of-view high-resolution SkyVizor display. The combined camera plus SkyVizor system will serve as the "eyes" of the Robonaut, which will help reduce the number of dangerous space walks required of real astronauts. The combination of the camera and binocular headset will also become a new product for Sensics, called the SkyVizor AR.<br /><br />The SkyVizor display has a field of view that is 150 degrees wide by 60 degrees tall, with resolution of 3.0 arc minutes per pixel (20 pixels/degree). The SkyVizor uses 12 OLED microdisplays per eye to provide both high resolution and ultra-wide field-of-view. The SkyVizor display is integrated into a headset that includes head-tracking capabilities. The SkyVizor sets a new standard in virtual reality displays. For example, instead of a camera, a CAD system can provide the input to the SkyVizor. The result is a virtual prototype that is realistic enough to eliminate the need for physical mock-ups. <br /><br />NASA's Robonaut system can work side by side with humans, or alone in high-risk situations. Telepresence uses virtual reality display technology to visually immerse the operator into the robot's workspace, facilitating operation and interaction with the Robonaut.<br /><br />Sensics manufactures the SkyVizor, a virtual reality headset with a field-of-view that nearly matches the unobstructed human visual field. The fully immersive nature of the SkyVizor makes it an excellent system for simulation, training and product prototyping. Sensics also makes custom camera systems, which can be combined with the SkyVizor for remotely controlling robotic systems or vehicles.<br /><br />eMagin Corporation designs, develops, and markets virtual imaging system-on-a-chip solutions to enable the visual display of information, data, video, and games through a wide variety of mobile electronic devices and the next-generation of interactive virtual reality systems. The world leader in organic light emitting diode (OLED)-on-silicon technology, eMagin combines integrated circuits, microdisplays, and optics to create a virtual image similar to the real image of a computer monitor or large screen TV. eMagin invented the award-winning SVGA+ and SVGA-3D OLED microdisplays, the worlds' first and only single-chip colour video OLED microdisplay and embedded controller for advanced virtual imaging. eMagin's microdisplay systems are expected to enable new mass markets for wearable personal computers, wireless Internet appliances, portable DVD-viewers, digital cameras, and other emerging applications for consumer, industrial, and military applications. OLED microdisplays demonstrate performance characteristics important to military and other demanding commercial and industrial applications including low power consumption, high brightness and resolution, wide dimming range, wider temperature operating ranges, shock and vibration resistance, and insensitivity to high G-forces.<br /><br />(source: Sensics)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Comtech Announces Proposes US$ 75 Million Convertible Senior Notes Offering<br /><br />(20 January 2004) Comtech Telecommunications Corp has announced that it intends to offer, subject to market and other conditions, US$ 75 million aggregate original principal amount of its Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 in a private placement to "qualified institutional buyers" pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.<br /><br />Comtech intends to grant the initial purchaser of the notes an option to purchase up to an additional US$ 11.25 million aggregate original principal amount of the notes. The notes will be convertible into shares of Comtech's common stock.<br /><br />Comtech intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes and potentially for future acquisitions of businesses or technologies or repurchases of Comtech's common stock.<br /><br />(source: Comtech Telecommunications)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Netbysky and Astra: High Speed Satellite Internet For France<br /><br />(23 January 2004) SES Astra and Netupsat of France have signed a contract for the provision of high speed Internet services via the Astra satellite system.<br /><br />Labelled "Netbysky", the high speed Internet service via Astra's 19.2° East orbital position has the advantage of instant ubiquitous availability across all of France, especially in regions which are not served by ADSL (which, according to a report by the research company TACTIS, represent more than 40% of the French national territory). Through Netbysky, French Internet surfers can benefit from high-speed satellite Internet anywhere as of now.<br /><br />All the end user needs is a dish of no less than 60cm (identical to the one used for receiving digital satellite TV), as well as a PC card. The return channel is provided via a traditional telephone modem (analogue or digital) and via the existing Internet Service Provider (ISP) of the user.<br /><br />(source: SES Astra)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />People<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Lisa Malone Named Director of NASA-KSC External Relations and Business Development<br /><br />(22 January 2004) NASA has announced that Lisa Malone has been selected as director of NASA-KSC's External Relations and Business Development Directorate.<br /><br />Malone succeeds JoAnn Morgan, who retired in August 2003. In her new position, Malone will oversee the directorate's divisions, including the Business Management Office; Partnership Development; Education Programs and University Research; Public Communications; Guest Services and Special Events; Customer Assurance and Analysis; and the Government Relations Office.<br /><br />Most recently, Malone served as acting director of External Relations and Business Development. She was selected as the deputy director in April 2003 and was responsible for overseeing the KSC Visitor Complex, news media activities, public engagement and strategic communications. She also led a diverse NASA and contractor team, which is tasked to spread information about NASA and Kennedy Space Center's programs.<br /><br />Malone began her career with NASA in 1982 as a co-op student. She joined NASA in May 1984 following graduation from the University of Alabama, with a bachelor's degree in communications. Malone received her master's degree in management from Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), in August 1995.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Nick Stubbs Appointed MD Of Astra Marketing France<br /><br />(20 January 2004) Nick Stubbs has been appointed Managing Director of Astra Marketing France, the French affiliate of SES Astra. SES Astra is an SES Global company and the operator of ASTRA, Europe's leading DTH satellite system.<br /><br />Prior to joining SES Astra, Nick Stubbs was with the Canal+ Group for eleven years, where he gained wide-ranging professional experience in both pay television and the television market in general. At Canal+ he most recently held the positions of Director of Development and International Director.<br /><br />(source: SES Astra)<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 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 to this email newsletter go to: http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/subscribe.html. You can also unsubscribe from the same page.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Copyright 2004 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