Microcom's Space Newsfeed 12 December 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
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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 35,000 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 /><br />ChinaSatCom and Eutelsat Italia/Skylogic Announce Strategic Partnership<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_1.html<br /><br />Connexion by Boeing Achieves Strong Growth in Availability, Partnerships and Customers Served<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_2.html<br /><br />Connexion by Boeing and Vodafone Trial High-Speed Internet Access in Flight<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_3.html<br /><br />G2 Satellite Solutions Secures Multi-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Contract with MCI<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_4.html<br /><br />G2 Satellite Solutions to Launch IP Networking Service on NSS-7 Satellite<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_5.html<br /><br />Intelsat-Americas-7 Investigation Underway; IA-8 Launch Temporarily On Hold<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_6.html<br /><br />Japan Airlines and Connexion by Boeing Introduce Real-Time Airborne Internet Access to UK Travellers<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_7.html<br /><br />Broadcast:<br /><br />DirecTV Expands International Programming Platform to Include AASTHA TV Channel<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_8.html<br /><br />DirecTV Launches Sky TG24<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_9.html<br /><br />Earth Observation<br /><br />Jason-1 Fetes Third Year in Orbit<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_10.html<br /><br />Nature Conservancy Uses QuickBird Imagery for Ecosystem Mapping<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_11.html<br /><br />Military Space:<br /><br />Comtech EF Data Receives Multi-Year Contract Award for Communications Equipment<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_12.html<br /><br />Swe-Dish Wins US$ 20 M Contract from US DoD<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_13.html<br /><br />Science:<br /><br />New Mars Camera to Return the Most Detailed Images of Mars to Date<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_14.html<br /><br />Manned Space:<br /><br />ESA Astronaut Roberto Vittori to Fly to ISS on Italian Soyuz Mission ENEIDE<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_15.html<br /><br />Oracle Gives Developers Opportunity to Reach for the Stars with Trip to Suborbital Space<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_16.html<br /><br />Travelling to Mars in Your Dreams?<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_17.html<br /><br />Reports:<br /><br />Standards-Based Broadband Satellite Platforms Poised to Post Solid Gains<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_18.html<br /><br />Business:<br /><br />Engineered Support Systems to Acquire Spacelink International<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_19.html<br /><br />SkyTerra Communications to Acquire 50 Percent of Hughes Network Systems<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_20.html<br /><br />Products and Services:<br /><br />Orbimage Adds GPS Ocean Tracking Buoys to its SeaStar Service Products<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_21.html<br /><br />Tachyon Networks and Xplornet Launch Commercial Grade Broadband Services in Canada<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_22.html<br /><br />Trimble Introduces New Embedded GPS Timing Receiver to Keep Systems in Sync<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_23.html<br /><br />People:<br /><br />Orbimage Names William Schuster Chief Operating Officer<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_24.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Investment Opportunity<br /><br />An Asian supplier of crop information systems and cities development interactive databases is seeking US$ 10 Million in first round investment financing. For more information: tuyuan@microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SatCom Europe 2005<br />2 - 3 February 2005<br />Le Meridien Etoile Hotel, Paris<br /><br />
www.terrapinn.com/2005/satcom<br /><br />SatCom Europe 2005 is your perfect opportunity to understand the key issues that will shape the future of satellite communications in Europe. Leading users and suppliers of satellite solutions will come together to learn, debate, network and do business.<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 presentation
http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/ads/SAR_Solutions_and_Strategies.pdf<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 />ChinaSatCom and Eutelsat Italia/Skylogic Announce Strategic Partnership<br /><br />(6 December 2004) Skylogic, the broadband affiliate of Eutelsat, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, and the Chinese leading telecommunications operator ChinaSatCom have signed a partnership agreement for two-way satellite communications between China and Italy for businesses, government agencies and other users in both countries.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_1.html<br /><br />Connexion by Boeing Achieves Strong Growth in Availability, Partnerships and Customers Served<br /><br />(8 December 2004) As 2004 draws to a close, Connexion is demonstrating its commitment to put airlines and their passengers first with expanded availability on 10 new routes, including six U.S. destinations; more than 160 corporate agreements; and eight roaming agreements with major Internet service providers and mobile telephone companies around the world.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_2.html<br /><br />Connexion by Boeing and Vodafone Trial High-Speed Internet Access in Flight<br /><br />(9 December 2004) Vodafone and Connexion by Boeing are to jointly trial the delivery of high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity to airline passengers. Vodafone will be the first global mobile telecommunications operator to undergo trials with Connexion by Boeing, aimed at extending Vodafone's laptop data mobility services in flight.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_3.html<br /><br />G2 Satellite Solutions Secures Multi-Year, Multi-Million Dollar Contract with MCI<br /><br />(7 December 2004) G2 Satellite Solutions (G2), an independent and wholly-owned subsidiary of PanAmSat Corporation, has announced that MCI renewed a multi-million dollar, two-year deal for satellite services. Under terms of the agreement, G2 will provide two Ku band transponders on Galaxy XI, with redundancy provisions on SBS-6 - reinforcing the company's long-standing relationship with MCI.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_4.html<br /><br />G2 Satellite Solutions to Launch IP Networking Service on NSS-7 Satellite<br /><br />(7 December 2004) G2 Satellite Solutions, a subsidiary of PanAmSat focused on solutions to the government, has selected the NSS-7 satellite to launch a new, fully managed IP-networking service in the African and Middle East regions for government and military customers.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_5.html<br /><br />Intelsat-Americas-7 Investigation Underway; IA-8 Launch Temporarily On Hold<br /><br />(10 December 2004) 22 transponders on the Intelsat-Americas-7 satellite have been tested, are performing normally and are available to be put back into service. Already, several of these transponders are being used to provide service to Intelsat customers.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_6.html<br /><br />Japan Airlines and Connexion by Boeing Introduce Real-Time Airborne Internet Access to UK Travellers<br /><br />(10 December 2004) Japan Airlines (JAL) and Connexion by Boeing have announced the start of the first real-time, high-speed Internet access available to passengers flying out of the United Kingdom.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_7.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Broadcast<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />DirecTV Expands International Programming Platform to Include AASTHA TV Channel<br /><br />(9 December 2004) DirecTV, Inc., the leading and fastest-growing digital television service provider in the United States, has expanded its South Asian programming lineup with the launch of AASTHA Broadcasting Network, India's most
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_8.html<br /><br />DirecTV Launches Sky TG24<br /><br />(6 December 2004) DirecTV, Inc. has launched the Italian news channel, Sky TG24, on an a la carte basis to both residential and commercial DirecTV customers. Sky TG24 will be available on DirecTV channel 2120 for US$ 9.99 per month.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_9.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Earth Observation<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Jason-1 Fetes Third Year in Orbit<br /><br />(7 December 2004) Jason-1 has celebrated three years operational in orbit. Launched on December 7, 2001, it was the first satellite to use Alcatel Space’s Proteus platform, developed in collaboration with CNES and specially designed for small satellites in low Earth orbit.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_10.html<br /><br />Nature Conservancy Uses QuickBird Imagery for Ecosystem Mapping<br /><br />(8 December 2004) The Nature Conservancy is using DigitalGlobe’s QuickBird satellite imagery to assess biological diversity and conservation progress in several regions throughout the U.S. and world-wide. The Nature Conservancy leverages satellite imagery and geospatial technologies to better understand, monitor, and predict natural and human systems.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_11.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Military Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Comtech EF Data Receives Multi-Year Contract Award for Communications Equipment<br /><br />(9 December 2004) Comtech Telecommunications Corp's Tempe, Arizona-based subsidiary, Comtech EF Data Corp., has received a multi-year contract award for satellite communications equipment to be deployed in security and defence networks in Europe. The initial order against this contract is for US$ 1.6 million, with an overall award potential of up to US$ 4 million through 2007.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_12.html<br /><br />Swe-Dish Wins US$ 20 M Contract from US DoD<br /><br />(7 December 2004) Swe-Dish Satellite Systems has been awarded a frame contract from the US Department of Defense to a total value of US$ 20 million for mobile satellite communications equipment and support services.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_13.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Science<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />New Mars Camera to Return the Most Detailed Images of Mars to Date<br /><br />(6 December 2004) Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has delivered the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, or HiRISE, camera to Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver, Colorado for integration into the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO).<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_14.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Manned Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ESA Astronaut Roberto Vittori to Fly to ISS on Italian Soyuz Mission ENEIDE<br /><br />(9 December 2004) Roberto Vittori will be the next ESA astronaut to fly to the International Space Station, on the 10-day Italian Soyuz mission, scheduled to be launched on 15 April next year from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_15.html<br /><br />Oracle Gives Developers Opportunity to Reach for the Stars with Trip to Suborbital Space<br /><br />(7 December 2004) Oracle has announced the Oracle Space Sweepstakes, designed to help software developers increase their understanding and use of leading edge Java and Service Orientated Architecture (SOA) development technologies. By demonstrating expertise with Internet technologies and knowledge of Oracle's development tools and Oracle Application Server, participants can enter for a chance to win a journey to suborbital space from Space Adventures, Ltd., the world's leading space experiences company.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_16.html<br /><br />Travelling to Mars in Your Dreams?<br /><br />(9 December 2004) Can you imagine spending eight weeks in bed? ESA is looking for female volunteers who are prepared to do just that for a study taking place in Toulouse, France, from the end of February next year.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_17.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Reports:<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Standards-Based Broadband Satellite Platforms Poised to Post Solid Gains<br /><br />(9 December 2004) Northern Sky Research has released its newest market survey and forecast report: "DVB-RCS and DOCSIS: 2nd Edition: Reassessing the Viability of Satellite Standards." The report offers a concise update of the standards-based satellite market in seven regions and for both enterprise and consumer market segments.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_18.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Engineered Support Systems to Acquire Spacelink International<br /><br />(9 December 2004) Engineered Support Systems, Inc. has entered into a binding, definitive agreement to purchase the membership interests of Spacelink International, LLC. Spacelink is a Dulles, Virginia-based firm involved in the design, integration, operation and maintenance of deployed satellite and wireless networks for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the U.S intelligence community and other forward deployed federal agencies and multinational organisations world-wide.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_19.html<br /><br />SkyTerra Communications to Acquire 50 Percent of Hughes Network Systems<br /><br />(6 December 2004) The DirecTV Group, Inc. and SkyTerra Communications, Inc., an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P., a New York-based private equity firm, have announced an agreement in which SkyTerra will acquire 50 percent of a new entity that will contain the assets of Hughes Network Systems (HNS) in a transaction that values HNS at approximately US$ 360 million. HNS, which is based in Germantown, Maryland, is a wholly owned subsidiary of The DirecTV Group.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_20.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Orbimage Adds GPS Ocean Tracking Buoys to its SeaStar Service Products<br /><br />(7 December 2004) Orbimage Inc., provider of satellite imagery and geospatial information services, has announced that its SeaStar Fisheries Information Service has released a new OrbBuoy product line. The low profile buoys are designed to be stealthy to avoid loss, but can easily be retrieved through the use of high- accuracy GPS positioning, two-way communications (via the Inmarsat D+ satellite network), and a user-activated high intensity recovery beacon.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_21.html<br /><br />Tachyon Networks and Xplornet Launch Commercial Grade Broadband Services in Canada<br /><br />(7 December 2004) Tachyon Networks Inc. and Xplornet, Canada's largest and fastest growing broadband wireless service provider, have announced a strategic partnership leveraging Tachyon's network infrastructure and Xplornet's sales, customer service and installation services.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_22.html<br /><br />Trimble Introduces New Embedded GPS Timing Receiver to Keep Systems in Sync<br /><br />(6 December 2004) Trimble has introduced a new embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for timing applications-the Resolution T receiver. With major advancements in performance, ease of integration, and software flexibility, the Resolution T receiver enables system integrators to add precise GPS or Universal Time Co-ordinate (UTC) time and synchronisation to many products where cost or size had previously been a limitation.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_23.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />People<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Orbimage Names William Schuster Chief Operating Officer<br /><br />(7 December 2004) Orbimage Inc. has announced that William "Bill" Schuster has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer.<br />
http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/2004/12December2004_24.html<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
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