Microcom's Space Newsfeed 23 May 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 post your CV or job specification here<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 />**********************************************************************<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 />AMC Moves to PanAmSat in 15-Year Transponder Deal<br />E! Networks Selects Scientific-Atlanta's PowerVu Content Distribution System<br />JAXA and SOHLA Conclude Co-operative Agreement<br />OneTouch Systems First to be DirecWay Certified by HNS in e-Learning Category<br />SkyStream Demonstrates Real-Time MPEG-4 Part 10/AVC/H.264<br />Successful Transfer of Services to Eutelsat's W3A Satellite from W3<br />Terayon and Tandberg Partner to Deliver Digital Video Solutions World-wide<br />Wegener Receives Orders for Network Expansion<br /><br />Earth Observation:<br />China’s Commercial Global Crop Monitoring System<br /><br />Military Space:<br />Ikonos Satellite Imagery Supports DoD Installation Visualisation Initiative<br /><br />Science:<br />Hayabusa Earth Swing-by<br /><br />Technology:<br />Alternative System Concepts Receives Funding for Space Technology Development<br />Hypersonics Research Speeds Up<br />National Scientific Corporation's Wi-Fi Tracker Technology under Evaluation by NASA<br /><br />Launch Services:<br />Lockheed Martin Moves Closer to a Mobile Launch Range Concept<br />Optus D1 - Groundbreaking Launch Contract<br />SpaceShipOne Close to Outer Space on Third Powered Flight<br /><br />Launches:<br />AMC-11<br />ROCSAT-2<br /><br />Business:<br />Intelsat Withdraws Planned IPO<br /><br />Products and Services:<br />Access Integrated Technologies Launches Dedicated Digital Cinema Satellite Delivery System<br />Shiron to Introduce Powerful New VSAT<br />Telenor Satellite Services Introduces Leased Variable Bandwidth Service<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />EEBC 2004 - Eastern Europe Broadband Convention - 13-15 October 2004, Kiev, Ukraine.<br /><br />Exhibition, Conference, Technical Training and Round Table Discussion of Industry Organisations will be devoted to progress trends in the broadband industry of Central and Eastern Europe.<br /><br />All industry organisations and companies are welcome to participate and investigate possibilities of making business in the CEE market! For full details see
www.eebc.com.ua<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Military Satellites Applications, 15th - 16th July, The Thistle Marble Arch Hotel, London.<br /><br />A two-day conference highlighting applications of satellite systems for the military and an unmissable pre-conference site visit on 14th July to EADS Astrium. Examine recent programmes and technologies on Earth Observation, Satellite Communications, Navigation and Space Launch through presentations from an exceptional international speaker panel.<br /><br />For further information and to book online please visit
http://www.iqpc-defence.com/GB-2232/MIC<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 />AMC Moves to PanAmSat in 15-Year Transponder Deal<br /><br />(19 May 2004) PanAmSat Corporation has signed a 15-year transponder agreement with Rainbow Network Communications (RNC) for the transport of AMC. Under the terms of the contract, PanAmSat's Galaxy 1R satellite will now distribute AMC to over 10,000 cable head-ends across the United States. AMC will join such leading programmers as Disney, Fox, Time Warner and Viacom on one of the industry's premier cable satellites.<br /><br />AMC, a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, which also owns and manages WE: Women's Entertainment and IFC, is a 24-hour, movie-based network, dedicated to the American movie fan. The network, which reaches over 86,000,000 homes, offers a comprehensive library of popular movies and a critically-acclaimed slate of original programming that is a diverse, movie-based mix of original series, documentaries and specials.<br /><br />PanAmSat's Galaxy 1R satellite, a Boeing-built BS 376 model spacecraft, was launched in February 1994 and is located at the prime US orbital location of 133° West. The satellite contains 24 high-power C band transponders and provides complete coverage of the United States. Together with Galaxy 5, Galaxy 10R, Galaxy 11 and Galaxy 13, these satellites form the Galaxy cable neighbourhood. Upon Galaxy 1R's end-of-life in 2006, PanAmSat will migrate AMC to the satellite's successor, Galaxy 15.<br /><br />(source: PanAmSat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />E! Networks Selects Scientific-Atlanta's PowerVu Content Distribution System<br /><br />(18 May 2004) E! Networks has selected Scientific-Atlanta PowerVu digital encoding system to begin the analogue-to-digital conversion of its primary East Coast feed for E! Entertainment Television programming. E! will use Scientific-Atlanta's side carrier technology solution to deliver its new digital East Coast feed to cable affiliates.<br /><br />To implement the east coast digital feed, E! will use the PowerVu side- carrier capability. The primary E! programming signal will continue to be delivered by analogue to its east coast affiliates. At the same time, E! will transmit a PowerVu compressed digital signal adjacent to its analogue feed on the same transponder. Thus, using PowerVu, E! can deliver the digital programming without adding another transponder or interrupting its analogue signal.<br /><br />Based in Los Angeles, E! Networks is the world's largest producer and distributor of entertainment news and lifestyle-related programming. The company operates E! Entertainment Television, the 24-hour network with programming dedicated to the world of entertainment; The Style Network where life gets a new look, and E! Online E! is currently available to 84 million cable and direct broadcast satellite subscribers in the US. Style currently counts 35 million subscribers with commitments to reach over 40 million in 2004. E! Online reaches 6 million monthly unique US adult users.<br /><br />(source: Scientific-Atlanta)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />JAXA and SOHLA Conclude Co-operative Agreement<br /><br />(20 May 2004) The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Space Oriented Higashiosaka Leading Association (SOHLA) concluded a "co-operative agreement on small satellite technology" on May 20, 2004.<br /><br />Under the co-operative agreement, JAXA intends to contribute to socio-economic development by returning its R&D results to society, and SOHLA tries to revitalise local economy through commercialisation of versatile small satellites.<br /><br />According to the agreement, JAXA provides SOHLA its technical information on small satellites and other technical assistance for the development of the small satellites (SOHLA-1, SOHLA-2). The development of SOHLA-1 and SOHLA-2 will be joined by Tokyo University and Osaka University for experiment devices and by Osaka Prefecture University for system design. This will be carried out as a joint project among industry, government and academia.<br /><br />JAXA established a Kansai Satellite Office last August as a base for space development and application in the Kansai area in an effort to make space development accessible to the local industry, especially small-and-medium-sized businesses, as well as to develop a new field of space application.<br /><br />It is expected that this co-operative agreement will be a good example for local small-and-medium-sized businesses to get into space-related industry and to contribute to revitalisation of local economy. It is also expected to contribute to new development of space industry.<br /><br />(source: JAXA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />OneTouch Systems First to be DirecWay Certified by HNS in e-Learning Category<br /><br />(19 May 2004) OneTouch Systems, whose interactive distance learning (IDL) solutions increase the capacity for organisations to train and communicate, has received formal certification by Hughes Network Systems Inc (HNS) of OneTouch IDL solutions operating over HNS' DirecWay satellite broadband service. This certification, awarded to OneTouch in the e-Learning category, is the latest joint milestone in a multi-year technology relationship between the two companies.<br /><br />HNS certification was granted to OneTouch Live Desktop using the DW4010 and DW4020 satellite terminals. This demonstrates that OneTouch products meet the most stringent performance criteria when delivered over DirecWay.<br /><br />HNS' DirecWay broadband satellite service, in conjunction with OneTouch IDL solutions, is a secure, efficient way to deliver consistent, visually rich training and educational content to vast numbers of remote students in diverse locations in a timely and cost-effective manner. Combining full-motion video, full-duplex audio and two-way data interaction, OneTouch Live Classroom and Live Desktop allow organisations to simultaneously reach employees in either a networked classroom using an interactive touchpad or at a desktop PC. Content is delivered from a single location and single server with the ability to capture sessions for on-demand replay at a later time.<br /><br />(source: OneTouch Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SkyStream Demonstrates Real-Time MPEG-4 Part 10/AVC/H.264<br /><br />(18 May 2004) SkyStream Networks will demonstrate the real-time, broadcast-quality MPEG-4 part 10/AVC/H.264 encoding capability of its Mediaplex-20 video delivery platform, at TelecomVideo Europe 2004.<br /><br />Telecom operators and service providers face infrastructure and cost challenges associated with delivering high-quality video content. SkyStream is meeting this challenge by showing major advances in video compression techniques, which are key to allowing telecom operators to deploy advanced video services cost effectively.<br /><br />As part of the demonstration, SkyStream's Mediaplex-20 will encode digital video in real-time in both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 formats in the same chassis. This enables telecom operators and service providers to bridge next generation encoding with current MPEG-2 deployments. With real-time encoding of MPEG-4, they can leverage existing bandwidth to offer subscribers next-generation video services at lower bit rates. Most significantly, MPEG-4 allows higher penetration of multiple, high-quality video channels delivery over xDSL.<br /><br />SkyStream's Mediaplex-20 is the only delivery platform to allow reliable IP video delivery with forward error correction (FEC), transrating, video stream replication to different platforms simultaneously, bandwidth rate reduction, and MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 encoding and transcoding, all in the same high-density, multi-channel chassis.<br /><br />SkyStream's Mediaplex-20 is a modular, scalable system that meets today's needs while offering a manageable migration path to the future. The Mediaplex-20 platform offers telecom operators a cost-effective way to increase the carrying capacity of existing infrastructure with targeted investment in headend and access sites. By not only supporting MPEG-2, but also MPEG-4 part 10/AVC/H.264, Mediaplex-20 ensures that service providers can address any configuration of compression and transport technologies, and deliver high-quality video over any last mile to the customer's home.<br /><br />MPEG-4 part 10/AVC/H.264 encoding and transcoding capability for the Mediaplex-20 will be available later this year, allowing current customers to transition to MPEG-4 by adding field-upgradable modules to existing and deployed Mediaplex-20 chassis.<br /><br />(source: SkyStream Networks)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Successful Transfer of Services to Eutelsat's W3A Satellite from W3<br /><br />(17 May 2004) Eutelsat has announced that its new W3A satellite was successfully brought into full commercial service at 7° East in the nights of May 15 to 16 and May 16 to 17 with the seamless transfer of all traffic to the new satellite from W3.<br /><br />In addition to assuming all services formerly delivered by W3, Eutelsat's new satellite substantially increases the business potential at this orbital locations by providing more capacity and extending coverage beyond Europe, the Middle East and North Africa to almost the entire African continent. In addition to Ku band capacity, Eutelsat has deployed Ka band frequencies and Skyplex on-board processing on W3A that in particular opens opportunities for broadband services between Europe and Africa such as voice over IP and Internet access.<br /><br />Following launch on 16 March, W3A was positioned in geostationary orbit by Eutelsat in collaboration with prime contractor EADS Astrium and Telespazio. Tests of the spacecraft bus, the first in the Eurostar E3000 series, were completed on 31 March and the payload was subsequently tested and performance thoroughly verified during April on a test location. On 3 May, the satellite was triggered to begin a slow move towards its definitive operational position at 7° East. It arrived on station on 14 May and was prepared for the transfer procedures.<br /><br />The switch of services followed a meticulously planned sequence of events over two nights, with corporate clients such as Reuters and Hughes Network Systems being the first to move in the night of 16 May. In the night of 17 May the European Broadcasting Union's Eurovision network, Digiturk's pay-TV platform, RAI, TV Poland and other video clients were transferred. The majority of the switch manoeuvres lasted fewer than 30 seconds with the longest lasting fewer than 90 seconds.<br /><br />Eutelsat's W3 satellite, which went into service exactly five years ago, will start its drift later this month to 48° East where it will continue its full commercial mission for clients with requirements in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and central Asia.<br /><br />(source: Eutelsat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Terayon and Tandberg Partner to Deliver Digital Video Solutions World-wide<br /><br />(17 May 2004) Terayon Communication Systems Inc has signed a partnership agreement with Tandberg Television. The agreement will see Tandberg Television integrate and resell Terayon’s CherryPicker digital streams management system and other digital video solutions into the cable television, broadcast, telecommunications, satellite and digital terrestrial television markets world-wide.<br /><br />Tandberg Television will immediately begin the world-wide marketing and reselling of Terayon’s complete suite of digital video products, comprising the DM (Distributed Media) family of CherryPicker products for cable and satellite operators, the CP line of digital video receivers and decoders and its BP (Broadcast Platform) line of solutions for broadcasters.<br /><br />Terayon’s DM line of CherryPickers is the latest generation of the company’s CherryPicker digital streams management system, which have been deployed by leading cable operators world-wide since 1999. The DM line is composed of the DM 6400, which is optimised for HD (High Definition) applications, and the DM 3200. At the heart of both models are advanced proprietary ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed for the unique computational requirements of MPEG-2 digital video, unlike competitive solutions based on a combination of software and generic DSPs (Digital Signal Processors). This greater processing power enables a single DM to support multiple digital video applications simultaneously on every program, such as rate shaping while ad splicing.<br /><br />Terayon’s BP family of digital video solutions is comprised of three models that give broadcasters flexibility to manage, brand and localise their HD and SD (Standard Definition) digital video. The BP 5100, the BP 5100-SD and the BP 5100-HD are each specifically designed to meet the HD and SD needs of broadcasters, including localised logo insertion, rate shaping and program splicing. All BP models work completely within the digital domain to help broadcasters realise substantial cost savings, higher reliability and superior picture quality compared with legacy baseband solutions.<br /><br />(source: Terayon)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Wegener Receives Orders for Network Expansion<br /><br />(20 May 2004) Wegener Corporation has announced a recent order from Roberts Communications Network for equipment to expand their network infrastructure, including an upgrade to the Wegener Compel Network Control System. In addition to the Roberts Communications Network order, Wegener has recently received orders from two other customers to expand their networks - a private video distribution network and another racing network. Wegener supplies a number of products to private and business networks to help them regionalise their content distribution through Compel Control.<br /><br />Roberts Communications Network operates the pari-mutuel industry's largest satellite distribution network, delivering horse and greyhound racing simulcasts to racetracks, off-track betting outlets, and casino race books throughout North America on a year-round basis. Wegener satellite receivers process a majority of the horse and dog racing broadcasts around the United States.<br /><br />(source: Wegener Corporation)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Earth Observation<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />China’s Commercial Global Crop Monitoring System<br /><br />(16 May 2004) Tuyuan Technologies have announced the signing of an agreement in Beijing, which represents the final step for Tuyuan to initiate the first commercial Global Satellite Crop and Environment Monitoring System to be based in China. The technology is protected internationally under Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and has been developed and provided by Bolton Associates, a specialist Earth Observation (EO) strategist consultancy domiciled in Malaysia with offices in Perth Australia. Tuyuan Technologies is a majority owned and controlled China Company.<br /><br />The Tuyuan Technologies global monitoring system is based on the near-real-time on-line processing of raw Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) telemetry obtained from existing and new satellites continually orbiting the Earth, and outputting predictive crop and environmental statistics, and critical risk factors from all countries in the world on a daily basis through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) integrated into the Internet infrastructure.<br /><br />A three year international market study has identified and contacted perspective and highly interested clients around the world in areas of commodity brokers and traders, food traders and industrialists, reinsurance, risk and insurance organisations, bankers, government agencies and international institutions. The study has also indicated an annual market for such highly volatile information in the billions of dollars (US) and where today there is no competition and no other such monitoring system in place.<br /><br />Tuyuan Technologies will centralise global market statistics derived from its commercial strategic partners from all countries and regions in the world. Currently, Tuyuan Technologies is in final negotiations with commercial organisations in Australia, France, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, USA, Spain and Italy. Other potential and interested parties in other countries have been identified and this process remains as a continuing high priority for its sales and marketing investment strategy.<br /><br />This commercial enterprise is directly in-line with China’s policy to initiate and for China to become the global leader in responsible Earth monitoring in the fields of food crops, the environment and water resources utilising satellite technology. China is developing a vast array of satellite sensors, 5 of which are SAR satellites to be launched and intended to become operational in the very near future.<br /><br />Tuyuan's system has been developed over the past 10 years and was conceptual designed in 2000. It has had the validation of the World Bank after trials in 6 countries and has received development financing from the European Space Agency (ESA) with trials in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Philippines. Other test sites have been carried out in Japan and India and elsewhere. The resulting accuracy of this proven systematic approach indicate accuracy in predictive crop results of ~97% - far more accurate and precise that any other method under consideration.<br /><br />By the utilisation of SAR satellites which can obtain data 24 hours per day and is weather independent, being able to obtain data through clouds, which optical satellite sensors cannot, Tuyuan can guarantee the receipt of the data and can predict crop statistics to rigid scientific specifications through extracting the planting dates from the unique temporal signatures and then monitoring for changes from floods, etc, through regular monitoring. No other system can currently do this.<br /><br />Currently the Earth is going through dramatic climate changes leading to many unknowns in global rainfall patterns and the necessary available water for the planting of crops such as rice. Rice is the most important food crop today and rice is grown in areas where cloud cover on a daily basis is almost constant. All countries that produce food crops are experiencing crop deficiencies and food stock reserves have diminished dramatically over the past few years. There is now an urgent need for an efficient and low cost commercial global monitoring system that will allow global planners to minimise the dramatic effects of drought and other types of climatic imposed crop devastations and to maximise responsible management tools that will effect efficient food management and distribution. Tuyuan intends to become the global leader in this position.<br /><br />Today, global disasters are regularly devastating crops and the global food supplies. The 'Risk' industries, such as reinsurance and insurance, require a more timely and precision system to equate risk probability than that which is available today. The reduction of global poverty needs to minimise risk to be able to get financial services to the farmers that produce the crops. Commodity Traders and the distribution industries want greater transparency in order to maintain the food market capitalisation balance while farmers demand a better and more secure standard of living. Tuyuan Technologies, through its commercialisation of its Global Satellite Monitoring System, brings a low cost rationalisation to these demanding markets.<br /><br />Other areas in which the Tuyuan Technology system is ideally suited for is desertification, land use, land conversion, pollution, soil moisture, coastal management, forest management and terrestrial management including infrastructural planning. The commercial distribution of predictive crop outputs such as rice, wheat, maize and soya are identified as the initial core products but these will be expanded as the enterprise and the marketing evolves.<br /><br />China is currently developing the necessary satellites required by Tuyuan Technologies through the Chinese National Space Administration which will be available operationally in 2007 and a high level of co-operation is planned between all relevant Agencies for this enterprise to be a major China initiative for global monitoring. It is planned in the interim period to draw data from the ESA Envisat satellite, Radarsat-1 and currently planned SAR satellite missions by Japan, India, Germany, Italy, France and others. All testing to date has been done utilising Envisat, ERS and Radarsat-1 data in collaboration with ESA and RSI and others.<br /><br />Launch of the Tuyuan Technologies service will beginning nationally in 2005 with a limited global service beginning in 2006. The first priority is to establish the home base processing facility in Beijing during 2004 while training staff in international sales and marketing for both investor and strategic partner relations. The technology is in place while the focus is now on its establishment in the commercial environment while building the commercial network. Arrangements have been made for training by a small group of foreign expertise to begin immediately.<br /><br />Tuyuan Technologies is preparing for an IPO in 2006.<br /><br />Tuyuan Technologies is a specialist information technology specialist based in Beijing which carries out the development of geographic based systems for the China Government and its Government Agencies. Headed by Zhou Xintie, Tuyuan is highly respected and experienced in the fields of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite remote sensing with over 30 years experience in the academic arena and 10 years in commercial applications.<br /><br />(source: Bolton Associates)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Military Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Ikonos Satellite Imagery Supports DoD Installation Visualisation Initiative<br /><br />(20 May 2004) Space Imaging is nearing completion of a contract to provide imagery to the Department of Defense (DoD) for improved situational awareness of major defence installations. The contract was awarded in February 2003 by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and will serve as a critical, geo-referenced, common installation picture to help the US Armed Forces begin a military transformation to reconfigure and reposition themselves for 21st century threats. The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics tapped the Air Force's GeoBase program in April 2003 to co-ordinate the DoD effort. With a simple vision of 'One Installation...One Map,' GeoBase integrates numerous geospatial data sets to maps, thereby providing a single point of access to military base information.<br /><br />In early 2003, highly accurate Precision 1-meter Ikonos satellite imagery produced by Space Imaging was selected by NGA as the imagery component for this DoD mapping effort. Not only did the Ikonos product satisfy the technical criteria for the project, but Space Imaging also had a significant inventory of installation imagery in its immense archive to help meet the short timeline of early 2004 delivery. The mapping effort will complement the USAF's GeoBase program investments, as well as the Army's parallel GIS-R (GIS Repository) and the Navy's GeoReadiness programs. The services will be overlaying legal base boundaries, noise contours, accident potential zones, explosive safety arcs (for firing and bombing ranges), 100-year floodplains and wetlands features on the imagery so that senior leaders are able to more readily appreciate the complex military-civil environment as they address strategic basing decisions.<br /><br />When complete, this initial phase of the DoD installation visualisation effort will include more than 300 defence sites from across the services, mostly in the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska and Guam.<br /><br />(source: Space Imaging)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Science<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Hayabusa Earth Swing-by<br /><br />(20 May 2004) The Space Engineering Spacecraft "Hayabusa" (MUSES-C) launched on May 9, 2003, by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been flying smoothly in a heliocentric orbit for about a year using its ion engines. On May 19, Hayabusa came close to the Earth, and successfully carried out an earth swing-by to place it in a new elliptical orbit toward the asteroid "Itokawa".<br /><br />The Earth swing-by is a technique to significantly change direction of an orbit and/or speed by using the Earth's gravity without consuming onboard propellant. Hayabusa came closest to the Earth at 3:22 p.m. on May 19 (Japan Standard Time) at an altitude of approximately 3700 km. After its precise orbit is determined in a week, Hayabusa will restart its ion engines to fly toward Itokawa.<br /><br />Hayabusa acquired earth images using its onboard optical navigation camera (which is for detecting a relative position to an asteroid and for scientific observations) as it neared the Earth.<br /><br />(source: JAXA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Technology<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Alternative System Concepts Receives Funding for Space Technology Development<br /><br />(20 May 2004) Alternative System Concepts Inc (ASC), a developer of advanced electronic design automation (EDA) software for the semiconductor industry, has been approved for a 2nd phase of funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). ASC is using these funds to complete development of its Virtual Triple Modular Redundancy (VTMR) technology for space applications.<br /><br />The new electronic design technology reduces power usage, as well as electronic component area usage, which saves weight and is a significant benefit for space applications.<br /><br />With VTMR technology in an electronic component design flow, engineers can design radiation-hardened components with reduced area and power. Using the technology is a less expensive alternative to traditional rad-hard component design methods, and promises to lower costs and improve the reliability of products produced for the space, automotive, aircraft and medical industries.<br /><br />The contract is co-sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and managed by the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command.<br /><br />(source: Alternative System Concepts)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Hypersonics Research Speeds Up<br /><br />(17 May 2004) The world’s fastest air-breathing engine will fly in Australia in 2005 in a collaborative two-nation experiment that is expected to provide a major boost to the fledgling scramjet technology.<br /><br />Australian and US defence interests have signed a US$ 4.6 million contract to conduct a controlled scramjet experiment at Mach 10, or about 11,000km an hour, at Woomera, South Australia, possibly in the second half of next year.<br /><br />Scramjets are air-breathing supersonic combustion ramjet engines. They are set to make possible two-hour flights from Sydney to London and revolutionise the launch of small space payloads, such as communications satellites, by substantially lowering costs.<br /><br />Partners in the new project are the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Australian Hypersonics Initiative (AHI) represented by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), the University of Queensland, the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy, and the Australian National University, together with the State Governments of South Australia and Queensland.<br /><br />Further interest in scramjet technology was fuelled earlier this year when NASA flew its X-43A scramjet-powered aircraft freely for the first time at a speed of Mach 7 on March 27, 2004, over the Pacific Ocean for 10 seconds.<br /><br />Next year’s atmospheric flight experiment in Australia will be similar to HyShot. The Woomera Prohibited Area, where it will be held, provides for 127,000 km2 of uninterrupted space, allowing ground recovery of each experiment.<br /><br />The University of Queensland will again lead the flight program, supported by the Canberra node of the AHI. The Canberra-based hypersonics research team is comprised of staff at the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy, and the Australian National University.<br /><br />The project will include a large element of collaboration with a consortium of US universities; hence the project is being referred to as HYCAUSE, derived from Hypersonic Collaborative Australian/United States Experiment.<br /><br />(source: University of Queensland)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />National Scientific Corporation's Wi-Fi Tracker Technology under Evaluation by NASA<br /><br />(18 May 2004) US technology firm National Scientific Corporation has announced that their Wi-Fi tracking technology is among several technologies under evaluation with NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) for possible use on the International Space Station and future space exploration vehicles.<br /><br />NASA is interested in NSC's WiFi technology to possibly track crewmember locations both inside and outside the International Space Station. The evaluation is being conducted by the scientists and engineers at NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston and is expected to last several months.<br /><br />National Scientific Corporation designs and builds versatile wireless platforms for location-sensitive applications. The Company is a technology leader in combining systems for indoor and outdoor positioning.<br /><br />(source: National Scientific Corporation)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launch Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Lockheed Martin Moves Closer to a Mobile Launch Range Concept<br /><br />(18 May 2004) Lockheed Martin successfully completed an important milestone in proving the mobile launch range concept by tracking a Delta II launch vehicle at Vandenberg Air Force Base from an unmanned aircraft. This represents an important step in moving toward a space-based launch range.<br /><br />Preliminary analysis indicates that Lockheed Martin's Range Systems Transformational Laboratory (RSTL) program successfully tracked and recorded several minutes of telemetry data from the rocket after its launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base recently. The RSTL Range Instrumentation Payload was onboard a CIRPAS Pelican unmanned surrogate aircraft and tracked the mission as predicted, from the launch pad, until the vehicle disappeared over the horizon. CIRPAS is the Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies, a research centre at the Naval Postgraduate School, located in Monterey, California.<br /><br />The California Space Authority (CSA), in Cupertino with the US Air Force Space and Missile Center (SMC) Satellite and Launch Control Program Office, sponsored the program to prove the mobile range concept and to support evolving space launch requirements. RSTL is a critical component of both agencies' strategic shift toward mobile range technology development.<br /><br />RSTL demonstrated the capability of an airborne instrumentation platform to provide range safety, vehicle health and status, and range user support for a variety of launch vehicles and payloads. RSTL has proven the concept of airborne range instrumentation, which is a catalyst towards a space-based launch range. Space-based ranges will be critical to reducing the high cost of maintaining older strategic, fixed range infrastructures, and is a key capability of the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and assured access.<br /><br />The RSTL demonstrated two distinct advanced technology segments: Lockheed Martin's patented Range Instrumentation Payload that utilises an optionally manned airborne instrumentation platform; and a fully compliant Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) and Air Force Command and Control Enterprise Architecture flight operations centre, employing advanced visualisation techniques and automated decision support technology.<br /><br />(source: Lockheed Martin)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Optus D1 - Groundbreaking Launch Contract<br /><br />(19 May 2004) The Optus D1 launch contract signed last week marks the first time the Launch Services Alliance mission assurance option was incorporated into a contract at signing.<br /><br />After competitive bidding from all launch services providers, Australian telecommunications carrier Optus chose an Ariane 5 as the primary vehicle with the Sea Launch Zenit-3SL as the backup.<br /><br />The satellite will receive dual-integration efforts, so that if the backup arrangement is activated, the operator will still have the desired launch window at the end of 2005.<br /><br />Created in July 2003, the Launch Services Alliance combines the strengths of the world's leading commercial launch providers Arianespace, Boeing Launch Services and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to provide customers with flexible, reliable and on-time delivery to orbit.<br /><br />(source: Arianespace)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SpaceShipOne Close to Outer Space on Third Powered Flight<br /><br />(18 May 2004) On May 13 SpaceShipOne accelerated to record setting altitudes and speed, both higher than in previous powered flights, bringing the Scaled Composites team a step closer to winning the US$ 10 million Ansari X-Prize.<br /><br />The White Knight carrier released SpaceShipOne at 46,000 feet, and SpaceDev's hybrid rocket motor was ignited 10 seconds after release and burned for the full planned 55 seconds. The rocket ship, with pilot Mike Melvill at the controls, achieved a speed of Mach 2.5 and climbed to 211,400 feet, over 40 miles above the Earth, and 106,400 feet further toward space than the previous record of 105,000 feet. NASA and the US Air Force award astronaut wings at 50 miles.<br /><br />SpaceShipOne's first powered flight took place on December 17, 2003, with SpaceDev's hybrid motor firing for 15 seconds. A second powered flight occurred on April 8th of this year. In that mission, the motor burned for 40 seconds. Scaled Composites next plans to push a test flight higher to the 100-kilometer mark, or about 62.5 miles.<br /><br />(source: SpaceDev)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launches<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />AMC-11<br /><br />Launched: 19 May 2004<br />Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />Launcher: Atlas IIAS<br />Orbit: GEO, 131° W<br />International Number: 2004-017A<br />Name: AMC-11<br />Owner: SES Americom<br />Contractor: Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems<br /><br />AMC-11 is a commercial communications satellite owned and operated by SES Americom. It will be used to provide cable television services to all 50 United States, Mexico and the Caribbean.<br /><br />AMC-11 is based on Lockheed Martin's A2100 platform and has a launch mass of 2,316 kg. It carries 24 C band transponders each with a bandwidth of 36 MHz and having a 20 W SSPA. AMC-11 has a 15 year design life.<br /><br />AMC-11 will take the place of Satcom C-3 at orbital location 131° W; when operational later this year, the spacecraft will combine with its twin AMC-10 to form the HD-PRIME cable neighbourhood.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ROCSAT-2<br /><br />Launched: 20 May 2004<br />Site: Vandenberg Air Force Base, California<br />Launcher: Taurus XL<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 890 km, perigee: 890 km: inclination: 99.1°<br />International Number: 2004-018A<br />Name: ROCSAT 2<br />Owner: National Space Program Office (NSPO), Taiwan<br />Contractor: EADS/Astrium<br /><br />ROCSAT-2 is a 750 kg Taiwanese panchromatic and multispectral remote sensing satellite that will observe and monitor the terrestrial and marine environment of Taiwan and surrounding waters. The satellite also carries an instrument to observe lightning in the Earth's upper atmosphere. ROCSAT-2 has a 5 year design life.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Intelsat Withdraws Planned IPO<br /><br />(21 May 2004) Intelsat Ltd has withdrawn its planned initial public offering. The decision follows the signing into law on May 18, 2004 of an amendment to the ORBIT Act that changes the date by which Intelsat’s IPO must be conducted from June 30, 2004 to as late as December 31, 2005. Intelsat filed a Form RW with the Securities and Exchange Commission to withdraw its registration statement.<br /><br />Intelsat CEO Conny Kullman said, “The current mix of market and regulatory developments makes it clear that withdrawal of the IPO is in the best interest of our company. In light of the extension of the ORBIT Act deadline, and the interest we received regarding a possible investment in or acquisition of our company in connection with our previous process, we now intend to resume the exploration of this possibility. In the meantime, we will continue to engage with the Federal Communications Commission with regard to the regulatory treatment of certain direct-to-home services in North America.”<br /><br />Intelsat also announced today that it has engaged Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch to explore the potential of another party’s investment in or acquisition of the company, although there can be no assurance that any transaction would be pursued or consummated. The company does not intend to comment further on this matter.<br /><br />(source: Intelsat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Access Integrated Technologies Launches Dedicated Digital Cinema Satellite Delivery System<br /><br />(17 May 2004) Access Integrated Technologies Inc (AccessIT) has announced its digital cinema satellite delivery service, operated out of an Internet Datacenter (IDC) located in Los Angeles, is expected to be fully operational by June 4, 2004.<br /><br />The Los Angeles datacenter will serve as the hub of AccessIT's digital cinema delivery service, housing the servers and satellite transmission equipment acquired from Boeing Digital Cinema. The datacenter infrastructure and systems, modelled after AccessIT's state-of-the-art fail-safe IDC in Jersey City, will offer fully redundant connectivity via satellite and terrestrial fibre links and feature real-time 24x7x365 monitoring, security and staffing. Delivery of digital movies and other content to AccessIT's network of 29 installed digital cinema systems and other digitally equipped theatres will coincide with the traditionally busy summer box office season.<br /><br />(source: Access Integrated Technologies)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Shiron to Introduce Powerful New VSAT<br /><br />(19 May 2004) Shiron Satellite Communications is to unveil the second in a new line of advanced Remote Gateways at the upcoming CommunicAsia 2004 show in Singapore.<br /><br />The iRG 40, part of Shiron’s iRG family, is a powerful VSAT solution with robust open architecture. The system is remarkable for its combination of advanced features. The iRG 40 supports both multiple standards and technologies and enables smooth system capability upgrades over satellite.<br /><br />The iRG 40 supports adjustable data rates from 16 kb/s to 2 Mb/s and is DVB-RCS upgradeable. As with the previously released iRG 30, the iRG 40 supports DVB-S, DVB-RCS, DAMA/BOD and PAMA/SCPC and can operate as an integral part of the InterSKY system or in SCPC mode. The terminal supports dual continuous and burst mode operation and has an advanced set of networking capabilities.<br /><br />(source: Shiron Satellite Communications)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Telenor Satellite Services Introduces Leased Variable Bandwidth Service<br /><br />(20 May 2004) Telenor Satellite Services is providing the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) with a new, variable bandwidth communications technology over satellite.<br /><br />The most recent six-month leasing agreement between Telenor and the Canadian DND began this month.<br /><br />Telenor's variable bandwidth service (VBS) combines the use of commercial off-the-shelf modems operating over the Inmarsat Leased Satellite Network with Telenor's latest communications software enhancements to virtually double the data speeds, up to 128 kb/s, without impairing current satellite resources. The end result for the Canadian DND is "always available" communications via satellite at twice the data speed of traditional Inmarsat high-speed data leased services.<br /><br />Telenor's VBS also provides the Canadian DND maximum flexibility in managing its leased satellite channels. This includes the ability to subdivide the leased channels and re-assign bandwidth to an increased number of shipboard terminals, in response to DND operational requirements.<br /><br />As part of the agreement, the Canadian DND has access to Telenor's exclusive Bandwidth Manager Interface (BMI) at no charge. Telenor's BMI is a secure web-based customer portal used to manage lease resources and obtain real-time status of all active calls. Using the BMI, the Canadian DND is able to independently monitor the status of its lease resources and automatically reschedule allocation of these resources to meet operational requirements.<br /><br />(source: Telenor Satellite Services)<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
