MICROCOM'S SPACE NEWSFEED 28 April 2002<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Brought to you by Microcom Systems Ltd, consultants in satellite communications since 1985. http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />Publishers of the Handbook of Satellite Services in Europe, the definitive guide to European satellite communications and broadcast services, providing extensive data on operators, services and service providers, satellites, technology, regulators and regulations in more than forty European countries. The most comprehensive sourcebook available on European satellite communications and broadcasting. http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/pubs/ssie.html<br /><br />For the most extensive directory of space industry links on the web visit http://www.satellite-links.co.uk<br /><br />White papers covering some of the key networking technologies in satellite communications today, including: interactive hubbed VSATs, meshed VSATs, telephony VSATs, Internet connectivity and broadband satellites available free on Microcom's website at http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/white.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />CONTENTS<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SATCOMS:<br />American Millennium Granted GlobalWave Service Provider License for South America from NSI Global<br />AMSAT North America to Build New Amateur Comsat<br />EMS Technologies Granted Inmarsat Approval for HSD-128 Airborne Two-Channel High-Speed Data Terminal<br />First Installation of High-Speed Data System on a Corporate Business Aircraft<br />Four Asian Operators to Provide iPSTAR Services<br />HNS Europe Announces Opening of DirecWay European Satellite Operations Centre<br />IDC Receives Contract Extension for Service to Canadian Forces Stationed Overseas<br />Marsh Supermarkets Extends Frame Relay Network With DirecWay<br />SES Americom Files FCC Petition for New Satellite Television and Internet Platform<br />Tongasat Acquires Its First Satellite<br /><br />NAVIGATION:<br />Flemish Administration Chooses Trimble Software for High-Precision GPS Network<br /><br />MILITARY SPACE:<br />EMS Technologies and Miletus Partner to Supply Satellite Solution to US Military<br /><br />TECHNOLOGY:<br />ElectroChem to Develop Fuel Cell for Next Generation of Reusable Launch Vehicles<br />KSC Tests Smart Umbilical Mating System for Space Launch Initiative<br /><br />LAUNCH SERVICES:<br />Delta Velocity Selected for DARPA Study on Low Cost, Rapid Launch System for Small Satellites<br />India to Develop GSLV-3 Launcher<br /><br />LAUNCHES:<br />Soyuz TM-34<br />Launch Schedule<br /><br />BUSINESS:<br />American Millennium Invests in NSI Global<br />EMS Technologies Acquires Ottercom<br />XCOR Aerospace Acquires Rotary Rocket Assets<br />Xynergy Corporation Completes Acquisition of Corporate Space Power Industries & Electric Inc<br /><br />PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:<br />HNS Introduces New Member of DirecWay Terminal Family<br />International Rectifier Corporation Italiana SPA Wafer Fabrication Facility Granted JANS Certification<br />Iridium Satellite Introduces Crew Calling Services for the Maritime Market<br />Sarantel's New GPS Antenna Offers Superior Performance Over Patch Devices<br />Satellite Signal Monitoring on a Cellular Phone<br />Smart Video On-Demand System from Predictive Networks<br />Tenzing Showcases World's First Inflight Two-Way SMS<br /><br />PEOPLE:<br />Arnold Friedman Named Senior VP, Worldwide Marketing and Sales at SS/Loral<br />EMS Technologies' Satcom Division Appoints Raymond L Larkin to Lead Aeronautical Sales and Marketing<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />European Satellites For Security, 18-19 June 2002, Brussels.<br /><br />Inaugurated by Dr. Javier Solana, General Secretary European Council and EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy.<br /><br />It will bring together top Governmental, Military and Commercial figures driving Europe's Space Security Policy. What are Europe's Security and Defence requirements and what are the practical challenges for implementation? See www.eyeforspace.com<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Bolton Associates - Corporate Strategies applies 21st. Century thinking for the Earth Observation, SatCom and Environment Industries that penetrate new markets using creative commercial Risk models and innovation.<br /><br />Visit us at http://www.BoltonAssociates.com and/or download our Power Point presentation http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/ads/EOConsult.ppt [131Kb]<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SATCOMS<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />American Millennium Granted GlobalWave Service Provider License for South America from NSI Global<br /><br />American Millennium Corporation Inc has been awarded the license to provide the GlobalWave system for satellite tracking and monitoring for South America from NSI Global Inc.<br /><br />Under the agreement, NSI will provide a turnkey GlobalWave wireless packet data system on an exclusive basis to AMCi and Telespazio Brasil, which are expected to form a joint venture to provide the GlobalWave service throughout South America with the initial focus expected to be on Brazil and Argentina, the area's two largest economies.<br /><br />The two companies are planning to invest US$ 15 million in this venture under the ten year license granted to AMCi. Telespazio Brazil is a satellite service subsidiary of Telecom Italia SpA and has been providing similar tracking and monitoring services in South America for a number of years.<br /><br />AMCi is already familiar with the capability of the GlobalWave system as a value-added reseller for the service in the North American oil and gas industry. Telespazio Brasil, with 105 employees and offices in six cities in Brazil and Argentina, currently markets and distributes wireless asset tracking and monitoring services through more than 20 value-added resellers in Brazil and more than 10 value-added resellers in Argentina.<br /><br />The agreement marks the sixth international sale of the GlobalWave system, which provides tracking and communications services to business in the trucking, rail, marine, oil and gas, and environmental industries. Systems have been previously sold to service providers in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Mexico and Africa. Vistar Datacom, an NSI subsidiary, provides the service in North America. NSI anticipates signing an agreement this year to expand the service to Asia.<br /><br />GlobalWave is a complete end-to-end wireless data system that allows users to send and receive data messages and automatically track, monitor, and control fixed and mobile assets. Because GlobalWave provides seamless, wide area, two-way communications, customers not only receive data concerning the location of an asset or an alarm notification when events occur such as a leak in a storage tank, they can also send queries about the current status of their asset and receive an immediate response. GlobalWave also provides short messaging service when communications devices such as pagers, or hand-held communicators are connected to the terminal.<br /><br />The GlobalWave wireless data terminals, designed and manufactured by Vistar, are among the most efficient data terminals in the world. The terminals are extremely powerful, with GPS integrated into every unit, and feature fast, reliable two-way data communications designed to support a full range of input/output devices such as keyboard display units, two-way pagers, hand held devices and various sensors, in the harshest environments. The terminals are capable of performing a number of functions, including: transmitting information on volume, temperature, pressure, and voltage; producing reports on location and speed; and triggering alarms when sensor thresholds are exceeded. Known as the GlobalWave MT2000, they can operate for several years on batteries or use any source of power using its proprietary smart power management system.<br /><br />The GlobalWave communications system offers ubiquitous satellite coverage over all of North America, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, and operates 24 hours a day. In addition, the company has established a worldwide network of regional operators in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Africa, and Mexico. The company also works under contract to other industry-leading communication service providers to design and manufacture innovative data communications products.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />AMSAT North America to Build New Amateur Comsat<br /><br />AMSAT North America has started building a new low-earth-orbit communications satellite to be used by radio amateurs. <br /><br />The new satellite will be known as AMSAT-Oscar E (Echo) until launch. It will carry analogue and digital VHF/UHF FM transponders similar to those carried on the UOSAT-Oscar 14 and AMRAD-Oscar 27 satellites currently in orbit. It will also carry one or two other experimental payloads.<br /><br />SpaceQuest Ltd of Fairfax, Virginia, will provide the satellite bus, with AMSAT volunteers being responsible for the design, development, integration and testing of the various experimental payloads.<br /><br />The spacecraft is expected to be ready for launch in late 2003 and a number of affordable launch opportunities are being actively explored.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />EMS Technologies Granted Inmarsat Approval for HSD-128 Airborne Two-Channel High-Speed Data Terminal<br /><br />Inmarsat has granted approval for EMS Technologies' two-channel 128 kb/s aeronautical satcom terminal. The HSD- 128 was approved by Inmarsat to access the satellites supporting the new Swift 64 High Speed Data Service. A final two-hour test and evaluation flight were conducted last week over three south-central States with the HSD-128 terminal.<br /><br />While the EMS HSD-128 high-speed data terminal is targeted at corporate and commercial transport aircraft, a single-channel 64 kb/s version of the system has been flying routinely on US military aircraft since last November.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />First Installation of High-Speed Data System on a Corporate Business Aircraft<br /><br />EMS Technologies has announced the first installation of its HSD-128 Aeronautical Satcom Terminal on a corporate aircraft. The system was installed on board a corporate CL-604 Bombardier Challenger. The system evaluation flight commenced in Dallas, Texas, and flew to Wichita, Kansas, before returning to Dallas. The flight lasted approximately two hours.<br /><br />The HSD-128 is the first two-channel High Speed Data Satcom system installed with an existing ARINC 741 Satcom system and interfaced to an onboard server. During the flight, three laptop computers were connected via an onboard Local Area Network sharing one of the Inmarsat Swift 64 connections. The laptops were used to access e-mail from the company's private network and to surf the Internet in real-time.<br /><br />The other channel of the HSD-128 was used simultaneously to make numerous 64 kb/s broadcast-quality voice calls, both domestic and international. The system operated flawlessly, and a continuous connection was maintained on both channels during the entire flight.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Four Asian Operators to Provide iPSTAR Services<br /><br />Shin Satellite has signed agreements with four Asian service providers who will provide broadband services using Shin's iPSTAR system. The new providers are: Shanghai VSAT Network Systems of China; VSNL of India; SiamSat of Thailand and Samart Telecom, of Thailand.<br /><br />An iPSTAR gateway will be installed for each service provider which will sell on services to business customers.<br /><br />Shanghai VSAT intends to offer services to customers throughout China by the third quarter of 2002. It expects to sell over 5,000 iPSTAR user terminals and already has contracts signed with: the Ministry of Civil Affairs for a community information centre; Nationwide Welfare Lottery to connect to lottery terminals; and two retail chains for VPNs.<br /><br />VSNL will distribute the iPSTAR broadband Internet service and international private leased circuit (IPLC) offering in India. Under an MOU, VSNL and Shin Satellite have agreed to pool resources and provide the service jointly, on a non-exclusive basis. Shin will set up an iPSTAR gateway system, while VSNL will provide the operations and maintenance of the gateway, connectivity to its Internet backbone, sales, marketing and customer support. The service is planned for the fourth quarter of 2002.<br /><br />SiamSat Network, currently a customer of Thaicom's VSAT services, will provide VSAT service for large SMEs in the banking, finance, gas and import and export industries.<br /><br />Shin has also signed an MOU with EdNet (the National Education Network of Thailand) to provide iPSTAR technology to create a network and platform services for national education content. The network will link up all the schools and institutions under the control of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of University Affairs. In the first stage, Shin plans to install the iPSTAR system in 1,082 schools. This is expected to expand to 40,000 by 2005.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />HNS Europe Announces Opening of DirecWay European Satellite Operations Centre<br /><br />Hughes Network Systems Europe (HNSE) has opened a new European network operations centre in Griesheim, Germany.<br /><br />Equipped with the latest network management and operations systems, the new centre covers 2,500 square meters and includes all the satellite infrastructure, computer servers, and customer service and billing systems necessary to support HNSE's large and growing DirecWay customer base.<br /><br />HNS Europe is already supplying DirecWay broadband services to major enterprises in a variety of industries including automotive, retail, power, Internet/Application Service Providers (ISPs/ASPs), and retail gas stations/convenience stores, with more than 18,000 terminals currently in operation throughout Europe.<br /><br />The new centre increases overall network reliability and availability, offering customers 24 hour, 7 day a week network management services and incorporates a redundant hub earth station in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />IDC Receives Contract Extension for Service to Canadian Forces Stationed Overseas<br /><br />International Datacasting Corporation (IDC) has announced that the Canadian government has exercised its option for a third-year extension to the current service contract for the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA).<br /><br />The service - which is uplinked from IDC's SuperFlex DVB teleport in Ottawa - provides one channel of video in English, one channel in French, several FM radio stations, CBC radio, and other information to Canadian peace-keeping troops and now Canadian Forces posted overseas in areas that range from Bosnia to the Golan Heights, and other locations where Canadian Forces are currently active including Afghanistan.<br /><br />This extension, combined with other recent service expansions, is valued at more than Cdn$ 3.6 million over the next year.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Marsh Supermarkets Extends Frame Relay Network With DirecWay<br /><br />Hughes Network Systems Inc (HNS) has been awarded a contract by Indianapolis-based Marsh Supermarkets Inc., to provision DirecWay broadband satellite service to over 280 supermarket and convenience stores across the United States.<br /><br />Under the terms of the agreement, HNS will provision DirecWay across Marsh Supermarkets to provide redundancy to its frame relay network and support video programming. DirecWay will also extend Marsh's corporate business television and training to its growing Village Pantry convenience stores. In addition, applications such as credit, polling and back office applications will also be supported at the Village Pantry stores.<br /><br />Marsh Supermarkets Inc operates 102 supermarkets under selected formats and 193 Village Pantry convenience stores in central Indiana and western Ohio. Marsh also owns Crystal Catering, a food services division, which provides upscale catering, vending, concession and business cafeteria management services, and a floral division, which operates four upscale retail floral shops under the name of McNamara and one business florist under the name Enflora. Marsh supermarkets feature an extended line of traditional grocery store items as well as service and speciality departments such as delicatessens, bakeries, prepared foods, prime cut meats, fresh seafood, floral and video rental. The Village Pantry stores offer a broad selection of grocery, bakery, dairy and delicatessen items, including fresh pastry products and sandwiches.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SES Americom Files FCC Petition for New Satellite Television and Internet Platform<br /><br />SES Americom Inc has announced a major initiative to bring new television and broadband Internet services to the American public. The company has filed with the FCC a petition for a new satellite platform, through which any programmer or content creator could provide satellite television services directly to the public.<br /><br />These television services will be provided via a new satellite which SES Americom intends to launch into the 105.5° W orbital slot. Another new SES Americom satellite, at the adjacent 105° W slot, will enable the company to provide high-speed broadband connections to US residences. These services - TV and broadband - will be available to US consumers who purchase a single, small satellite dish and related equipment.<br /><br />SES Americom intends to offer the new platform, named "Americom2Home", using a license granted to its affiliate by the Government of Gibraltar, relating to an orbital location over the United States at 105.5° W. This "slot" falls directly between orbital positions used by DirecTV and EchoStar at 101° and 110°, respectively. Both Americom2Home and the existing satellites use frequencies in the 12.2-12.7 GHz range, which is set aside internationally for direct broadcasting to the home. SES Americom also holds FCC licenses for both Ku band and Ka band satellites at the 105° W . location.<br /><br />Unlike EchoStar and DirecTV, SES Americom itself will not offer any retail services to consumers. Instead, it will create a DBS satellite platform, on which a wide variety of content providers will lease capacity in order to offer their programs and interactive entertainment directly to American consumers.<br /><br />SES Americom expects the Americom2Home system to encompass multiple satellites at the 105°/105.5° W orbital slot, creating a satellite "neighbourhood" at that location.<br /><br />Assuming prompt FCC approval of the company's petition, the Americom2Home system could be in operation as early as 2004. In the intervening period, the company expects to develop its plans in more detail through discussions with a wide range of television programmers, broadcasters, Internet service providers, satellite equipment manufacturers, and others.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Tongasat Acquires Its First Satellite<br /><br />Tongasat, Friendly Islands Satellite Communication Ltd of the Kingdom of Tonga purchased its first satellite, ESIAFI-1, the former Comstar D4 telecommunications satellite originally operated by Comsat. The satellite was purchased from Seattle Scientific Corporation.<br /><br />ESIAFI, known as Star Trail, will deliver commercial telecommunications capacity from its new location over the Indian Ocean at one of the Kingdom of Tonga's filings at 70° E.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NAVIGATION<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Flemish Administration Chooses Trimble Software for High-Precision GPS Network<br /><br />Trimble has supplied Global Positioning System (GPS) Virtual Reference Station (VRS) software to OC GIS Vlaanderen - GIS Flanders - to establish FLEPOS (Flemish Positioning Service), which provides networked real-time kinematic (RTK) service across the Flemish Region (Vlaanderen) of northern Belgium. The core infrastructure service is monitored and operated by GIS Flanders. GPS users throughout the Flemish Region can utilise the service for surveying, construction, navigation, asset management, agriculture and forestry.<br /><br />The establishment of FLEPOS follows other Trimble infrastructure project successes. These include: the Japanese Geographical Survey Institute Nationwide Network; Queensland VRS in Australia; VRS network in Switzerland for the Swiss government; GPSnet.dk, the VRS network in Denmark; GPS reference stations for the General Lighthouse Authority Network around the coast of Great Britain; the Channel Tunnel Rail Link RTK Network; and the Zurich International Airport Expansion Project.<br /><br />VRS technology overcomes previous limitations with high precision GPS by utilising data from a network of reference stations to model the error sources within the network. The system significantly reduces these systematic errors to improve reliability and operating range. Standard format RTK messages are transmitted via GSM cellar telephones to users in the field within the network area. This allows a user to increase the distance at which the rover receiver is located from the physical reference stations while improving on-the-fly (OTF) initialisation times.<br /><br />Traditionally, for precise GPS applications-surveying, construction, precision farming and high accuracy Geographic Information System (GIS)-roving receivers required a reference station within 10 km to ensure centimetre level accuracy. With VRS, users within the network can operate consistently at greater distances without degrading accuracy. Additionally, users can retrieve stored GPS and modelled data from the control centre via the Internet for post-processing. Trimble Terrasat developed the VRS software suite.<br /><br />GIS Vlaanderen (GIS Flanders) is a department of the Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (VLM), the governmental land agency of the Flemish Region. GIS Flanders was formed in 1995 to stimulate, co-ordinate and optimise the use of geographical information in Flanders.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />MILITARY SPACE<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />EMS Technologies and Miletus Partner to Supply Satellite Solution to US Military<br /><br />EMS Technologies Inc has won a contract to supply PDT-100 packet data satellite terminals to the US government. The multi- year contract, for 1,200 units per year, represents the first sale of the EMS PDT-100 to a military customer.<br /><br />The PDT-100 is currently deployed with trucking companies and law enforcement and emergency management agencies to support high-speed data communications. The PDT terminals will be installed on ground support vehicles that operate in the continental USA. The initial installation will be in excess of 300 terminals. The PDT-100 terminals provide real-time satellite communication over the MSV MSAT-1 satellite network. With the PDT-100, mobile ground support vehicles will remain in communications range anywhere in North America.<br /><br />The solution incorporates web-based applications software called TracerLink, which was developed by Miletus Associates Inc. TracerLink provides command centres with a real-time graphical display of where their personnel are, and also with the ability to dispatch orders to them. The position and messaging data is encrypted to prevent unauthorised access.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />TECHNOLOGY<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ElectroChem to Develop Fuel Cell for Next Generation of Reusable Launch Vehicles<br /><br />ElectroChem Inc, a developer of fuel cells for power systems and research, has been awarded a US$ 1 million NASA contract for the first phase development and a US$ 2.5 million option contract for the second phase development of a fuel cell power plant for the next generation of reusable space launch vehicles.<br /><br />ElectroChem was one of two companies chosen to develop a breadboard, or pre-prototype, Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell power plant for the 2nd Generation Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLVs) Technology Risk Reduction Program. At the end of phase one (17 months), ElectroChem will deliver its breadboard to NASA. After testing the breadboards from both companies, NASA will select one company for the 22-month phase two option, which entails the development of a full-size engineering model, or prototype, PEM fuel cell power plant.<br /><br />The contract awarded to ElectroChem is part of NASA's Space Launch Initiative, which seeks to develop safer and more cost-effective means of reaching low-earth orbit, with a goal of initiating the development of the post-Shuttle, 2nd Generation RLVs by mid-decade. The fuel cell project of the Space Launch Initiative is managed by NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.<br /><br />Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells offer several potential advantages over alkaline fuel cells used in the Space Shuttle, including higher power, lower weight, longer life, and greater safety. They have high power density, can vary output quickly, and are especially suited for applications where quick start-up is needed.<br /><br />The membrane itself is a thin plastic sheet coated with metal alloy particles that act as catalysts for the release of hydrogen ions, or protons, when hydrogen atoms pass through the membrane. The ions travel in the form of an electric current.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />KSC Tests Smart Umbilical Mating System for Space Launch Initiative<br /><br />Engineers at Kennedy Space Center are testing the newest in umbilical technology in support of NASA's Space Launch Initiative (SLI)-a technology development effort to establish reliable, affordable space access.<br /><br />Traditional umbilical systems release at vehicle lift-off (T-0) and can also take extensive connection time-reducing potential flight rate. The Smart Umbilical Mating System, three years in development by Rohwetter Systems and NASA will serve as a modern, next-generation umbilical system.<br /><br />The concept is to replace a T-0 umbilical with an automated umbilical which has a mate, demate and remate capability. The ability to quickly and reliably mate and demate umbilical connectors under automated control, along with remote connection verification will reduce the time and labour hours required to prepare for launch. The Smart Umbilical Mating System will also be used as a testbed for quick disconnect development and for advance control and leak detection technologies.<br /><br />The system will be used as a development tool for future launch vehicle technology development. Several technologies being developed relate to umbilicals, such as ice suppression, leak sensing, quick disconnects and others. By using the Smart Umbilical Mating System, the new technologies can be tested in cryogenic conditions.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />LAUNCH SERVICES<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Delta Velocity Selected for DARPA Study on Low Cost, Rapid Launch System for Small Satellites<br /><br />Delta Velocity Corporation, a space launch and transportation services company, has been awarded a Phase I Study contract with the Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the design of a lower cost, reusable, rapid launch system for small satellites.<br /><br />The study phase of the Responsive Access Small Cargo Affordable Launch (RASCAL) program, to be completed within 9 months, is valued at approximately US$ 1.25 million. The program concept uses a modified fighter aircraft as the reusable first stage and a two-stage expendable rocket vehicle for launching the satellite into low earth orbit.<br /><br />Delta Velocity and its program team that includes Allied Aerospace Industries Inc, ATK Tactical Systems, Athena Technologies, CSA Engineering, Advanced Project Research Inc (APRI) and NASA Dryden Flight Research Center was selected primarily for its demonstrated ability to rapidly develop innovative, lower cost, and reliable launch systems. Delta Velocity, with extensive experience in the development and operation of small launch vehicles, is the team leader.<br /><br />The objective of the RASCAL program is to develop a rapid response, low cost method for placing small satellites into earth orbit. The study phase of the program will be followed by design and development phases. This will culminate in a flight demonstration where the RASCAL system will be used to launch two small satellites within a 24-hour period. In production, RASCAL is expected to cost about US$ 750,000 per mission. This capability will enable the rapid deployment of a new breed of small satellites with superior remote sensing and imaging technology. RASCAL will enable satellites to be launched into orbit within an hour and begin returning images to earth immediately, providing a dramatic new capability for the DoD as well as for commercial users. It is anticipated the first RASCAL launch will take place in 2006.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />India to Develop GSLV-3 Launcher<br /><br />The Indian government has approved the development of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle-3 (GSLV-3) at a cost of U$520 million.<br /><br />GSLV-3 will be able to launch a four ton satellite into geostationary transfer orbit. The first launch is anticipated in 2006 with two launches possible per year. GSLV-3 will be 42 m long with a diameter of 4 m. It will have three stages with three strap on boosters. Development will be led by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC).<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />LAUNCHES<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Soyuz TM-34<br /><br />Launched: 25 April 2002<br />Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />Launcher: Soyuz U<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 226 km, perigee: 226 km: inclination: 51.6°<br />International Number: 2002-020A<br />Name: Soyuz TM-34 (ISS flight 4S)<br />Owner: Russian Aviation and Space Agency<br /><br />This manned taxi trip to the International Space Station will replace the Soyuz "lifeboat" (Soyuz TM-33) which is nearing the end of its six month service life in space. The three person crew of this mission will return on May 5th in the old TM-33 spacecraft.<br /><br />The crew are as follows:<br /><br />Yuri Gidzenko, Commander (Russian)<br />Roberto Vittori, Flight Engineer (Italian)<br />Mark Shuttleworth, Flight Participant (South African)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launch Schedule<br /><br />April 28: classified NRO satellite on a Titan 4 (B-36) from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />May 2: Aqua on a Delta 2 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California<br />May 3: Spot 5, Idefix on an Ariane 42P from CSG Kourou, French Guiana<br />May 6: DirecTV 5 on a Proton K/DM 3 from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />May 9: Hot Bird 6 on an Atlas 5 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />May 16: Galaxy 3C on a Zenit 3SL from Sea Launch's Odyssey platform in the Pacific Ocean<br />May 21: Progress M-46 on a Soyuz-U from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />May 28: Asiasat 4 on an Atlas 3B from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />May 30: ISS UF 2 (Multi Purpose Logistics Module) on the Shuttle Endeavour (STS-111) from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida<br />June 5: Intelsat 905 on an Ariane 4 from CSG Kourou, French Guiana<br />June 24: NOAA-M on a Titan 2 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California<br />July 1: Contour on a Delta 2 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />July 15: Space Infrared Telescope Facility on a Delta Heavy from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />July 19: Spacehab research laboratory on the Shuttle Columbia (STS-107) from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />BUSINESS<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />American Millennium Invests in NSI Global<br /><br />American Millennium Corporation Inc has executed an investment and option agreement with NSI Global Inc, a publicly traded Canadian company whose subsidiary. Vistar Telecommunications has also appointed AMCi as the exclusive regional operator for Vistar's proprietary GlobalWave asset tracking and monitoring, wireless packet data system service throughout South America.<br /><br />Under the share agreement AMCi intends to purchase 2,400,000 shares of the common capital stock of NSI Global for Cdn$ 1,200,000 using proceeds provided under a prior agreement with a private investor. The agreement with NSI Global also provides AMCi with options to purchase up to an additional Cdn$ 6,800,000 of NSI Global common stock in four more equal instalments, two of which purchase options have exercise dates in 2002 and two of which have exercise dates in 2003.<br /><br />Under the terms of the share agreement NSI Global has been granted a five year option to purchase ten per cent of AMCi's South American Regional Operator business at a price not to exceed US$ 1,000,000. In addition, NSI Global has been issued warrants to purchase 1,500,000 shares of AMCi common stock.<br /><br />AMCi's prior agreement with the private investor provides for the investor to acquire 1,000,000 shares of AMCi's common capital stock in exchange for an equity capital contribution to AMCi in the amount of US$ 750,000.00. Upon AMCi's conversion of that investment into NSI Global stock, the private investor will also receive a portion of the NSI Global stock in accordance with the previously negotiated agreement. Additionally, the private investor will have the right to purchase, for his own individual account, up to thirty per cent of the balance of AMCi's Cdn$ 6,800,000 options for NSI Global's common capital stock.<br /><br />Upon funding of the US$ 750,000 to AMCi by the private investor, the investor shall be issued warrants to purchase three separate lots of 1,000,000 shares of AMCi common stock, exercisable for US$ 1.00 per share for the first lot, US$ 1.50 per share for the second, and US$ 2.00 per share for the third lot.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />EMS Technologies Acquires Ottercom<br /><br />EMS Technologies Inc has acquired Ottercom Ltd, a leading provider of Inmarsat communication terminals located in Tewkesbury, UK. The acquisition follows over 10 years of close collaboration between EMS and the Ottercom organisation.<br /><br />The company will now be called EMS Satcom UK and will operate as a unit of EMS's Satcom Division in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Financial details of the transaction were not released, except that EMS issued 81,245 new shares of its common stock as a portion of the consideration for the transaction.<br /><br />Nils Helle, director of programs, has been named managing director of the new organisation. He will report to Neil Mackay, senior vice president and general manager, EMS Satcom Division. Helle has 17 years' management experience in the wireless communications industry, including responsibility for due diligence, integration management, business planning, product development and customer service. He has held a number of senior management positions, most recently as vice president of Strategic Initiatives at Stratos Global Corporation.<br /><br />STORM, the Ottercom portable Inmarsat Global Area Network (GAN) terminal, is a favoured choice of military, international broadcasting, and humanitarian relief organisations for voice, video and high-speed data communications in remote locations worldwide.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />XCOR Aerospace Acquires Rotary Rocket Assets<br /><br />XCOR Aerospace has acquired selected assets of the Rotary Rocket Company, including the full and exclusive rights to all technology developed by Rotary Rocket. XCOR also acquired patents for various reusable launch vehicle technologies and certain equipment. The exclusive rights to the Rotary Rocket video and photo archive were included in the acquisition.<br /><br />In addition to the patents, a variety of other technological innovations developed at Rotary Rocket were acquired by XCOR. These include designs and test data for high-performance liquid oxygen / kerosene rocket engines, composite liquid oxygen tank technology, and rocket engine injector technology.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Xynergy Corporation Completes Acquisition of Corporate Space Power Industries & Electric Inc<br /><br />Xynergy Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Corporate Space Power Industries & Electric Inc. Corporate Space Power Industries & Electric (CSPIE) will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Xynergy Corporation. This represents the first in a series of planned acquisitions in the area of emerging technologies.<br /><br />CSPIE has developed new and revolutionary methods of tapping solar power through space satellite laser transmission. Collecting solar power 24 hours a day, this new technology will provide an environmentally safe and economical source for vast amounts of energy. Ultimately, CSPIE aims to create the first multi-billion watt space power generation system, emitting energy through environmentally friendly laser technology to an earth-based receiver.<br /><br />CSPIE has initiated negotiations with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA/JPL) to assist in testing the satellite space power system and confirming its efficacy. Upon completion of contract negotiations, the construction oversight and demonstration of the system will take place at the JPL facility in Pasadena, California. This activity is being conducted through the JPL Technology Affiliates Program.<br /><br />In a letter of intent from the director of the Institute of Electrical Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China has agreed to purchase a power plant system of its own upon completion of the CSPIE's first successful demonstration. China has a special interest due to its environmental problems and growing energy needs.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />PRODUCTS AND SERVICES<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />HNS Introduces New Member of DirecWay Terminal Family<br /><br />Hughes Network Systems Inc (HNS) has begun shipments of a new satellite terminal, the DW4020. The new DW4020 will operate on DirecWay bringing enhanced local area networking capability to business and consumer subscribers.<br /><br />The DW4020 has a four port 10/100baseT Ethernet hub and incorporates a fast, self-hosted processor, eliminating the need for a dedicated host PC. It operates independently of the networked computers, yielding overall greater network reliability and robustness. In addition, the DW4020 supports PC's with most popular software operating systems, thereby increasing the reach of DirecWay from Windows based computers to Unix, MAC and others.<br /><br />Designed with enterprise network applications in mind, the DW4020's PowerPC features a 32-bit RISC CPU core running at 200 MHz and an integrated 10/100 MAC along with 32 MB SDRAM and 8MB FLASH, and four switched 10/100baseT Ethernet ports. The DW4020 has passed the Fast Ethernet Consortium Interoperability Test Suite, ensuring it will operate seamlessly with existing LANs.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />International Rectifier Corporation Italiana SPA Wafer Fabrication Facility Granted JANS Certification<br /><br />International Rectifier has announced that the Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC) has granted JANS certification for the International Rectifier Corporation Italiana SPA (IRCI) wafer fabrication facility located in Borgaro, Torino, Italy. This is the fifth International Rectifier high-reliability (hi-rel) wafer fab to receive JANS certification. JANS is the highest quality level assigned by MIL-PRF-19500, and is used by nearly every space-level customer.<br /><br />The 135,000 square-foot facility is certified to produce JANS Schottky diode and FRED wafers for use in hi-rel applications, such as commercial and military aircraft, space-launch vehicles, satellites and strategic weapon systems.<br /><br />In addition, other quality levels such as JANTXV and JANTX may also be supplied by the IRCI fabrication facility.<br /><br />IRCI is IR's high-volume wafer fabrication supplier of five-inch Schottky diode and FRED wafer technologies. IR's Hi-Rel Products group will act as the supplier of JANS dice and finished (screened) products. Wafer lots selected for JANS applications will be analysed for compliance to JANS criteria by the International Rectifier Hi-Rel Products group.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Iridium Satellite Introduces Crew Calling Services for the Maritime Market<br /><br />Iridium Satellite LLC has announced the availability of affordable crew calling services for the maritime industry. In response to customer demand for more cost effective and efficient ways to manage on-ship call operations, Iridium's crew calling solution simultaneously supports pre-paid calling for individual crew members and subscription services for a vessel's official communications. The new service simplifies the task of managing fleet communications costs.<br /><br />Iridium's new crew calling program allows vessel owners and operators to provide both official and personal communications from a single phone. Vessel operators can provide pre-paid scratch cards to individual crew members to allow for personal calling, while eliminating the process of tracking those costs. For official business, the captain and crew can use the same phone for subscription-based calls. This eliminates the need to manually process complicated bills or to purchase additional equipment to support the two functions.<br /><br />The crew calling plan offers the same global, flat rate pricing that is the basis for all of Iridium Satellite's services. With no roaming or zone charges and some of the lowest prices available for satellite calls, the crew calling plan delivers one of the most affordable and flexible communications options available to the maritime market today, and the only one with truly global coverage.<br /><br />Beginning immediately, Iridium will offer the new crew calling services through its global network of service providers. The initial service providers include GloCall, Stratos, European Datacomm, Roadpost, Global Plus, Global Satellite, Infosat, Marconi, World Communications Center, GeoLink, Fibertel, Marlink and AST.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Sarantel's New GPS Antenna Offers Superior Performance Over Patch Devices<br /><br />Antenna specialist, Sarantel, has announced GeoHelix-H, a new-technology high-gain active antenna for portable GPS receivers which enables more satellites to be acquired than conventional patch devices.<br /><br />Sarantel conducted field testing of the GeoHelix-H in Taipei, Taiwan, one of the world's most difficult areas for GPS satellite reception, where its superior performance was confirmed. GeoHelix-H measures only 30.4 mm x 13.3 mm x 6.4 mm and weighs 12 grams.<br /><br />The GeoHelix-H operates over the L1 GPS band and has an integral low noise amplifier (LNA) which provides a typical gain of 20 dB. Its omni directional pattern along with a 3 dB beamwidth of 120 degrees enables more satellites to be `seen' by the antenna than would be possible with a patch antenna. Furthermore, it does not require a bulky ground plane, making it easy to incorporate in small portable GPS receivers, tracking devices or GPS-equipped notebooks and PDAs.<br /><br />GeoHelix-H has two additional benefits. The balanced design allows it to reject common mode noise, and it has a very low near field meaning that it is not de-tuned when in proximity to body tissue. This also means that it is suitable for positioning next to another antenna, such as that used with new-generation mobile handsets or Bluetooth-equipped peripherals.<br /><br />GeoHelix-H uses the same advanced design and manufacturing process as Sarantel's current passive and low-gain antennas, the specially-matched LNA simply increases the GPS signal level while keeping the noise level down. The amplifier, which provides an output impedance of 50 ohms, is mounted in an attached plated plastic case. This is supplied with either a female MCX connector or it can be fitted with a patch cord which can be supplied with popular connectors such as MCX, MMCX and SMA and SSMT.<br /><br />During the latter stages of the development of the GeoHelix-H, comparative tests were carried out in Taipei using Sarantel's antenna and a regular 26 dB active GPS patch antenna: both were connected to identical Compaq Ipaq handheld computers running the relevant software packages. Taipei is notoriously difficult to navigate reliably using GPS because of its highly built-up urban, electrically noisy radio environment. The performance of the two antennas was comparable in some situations, but performance in heavily built-up areas and in difficult situations such as the re-acquisition of a GPS fix, when emerging from tunnels, the performance was considerably better with the GeoHelix unit. Re-acquisition typically took only 12% of the time required by the patch equivalent.<br /><br />The patented antenna design, developed by Sarantel in conjunction with Loughborough University UK, uses copper tracks, deposited on to a small ceramic cylinder which is individually and automatically laser-trimmed for optimum frequency response. The robust antenna measures only 13.3 mm in diameter by 30.4 mm and will save space for in-vehicle and handheld GPS applications.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satellite Signal Monitoring on a Cellular Phone<br /><br />Spanish satellite monitoring equipment supplier Integrasys has developed a very cunning way for installers to perform a line up in the field without needing to have a spectrum analyser.<br /><br />The system uses a graphics cellular phone and allows installers to control a remote spectrum analyser with the cell phone and access the analyser's main functionality from any part of the world.<br /><br />The product will prevent the need for satellite operators, installers, and others to carry extensive equipment to monitor the signal downlink when performing a line-up in the field. Users will be able to make a phone call to a control centre and access the spectrum analyser in the cellular screen. Up to 10 concurrent users can access the analyser for different line-ups.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Smart Video On-Demand System from Predictive Networks<br /><br />A new recommendation-based video on-demand (VOD) system designed specifically for direct-broadcast satellite subscribers with personal video recorder (PVR) set-top boxes is being introduced by Predictive Networks.<br /><br />Predictive Networks' SmartVOD is designed to bring a personalised VOD entertainment experience to satellite subscribers, a market previously constrained by the limited storage capacity of PVRs. SmartVOD automatically detects household interests without requiring viewer interaction or personal information, selecting relevant movies based on each individual's channel surfing behaviour and delivering customised VOD libraries to PVRs, all while using content delivery technology already in place. The system also incorporates Predictive Networks' SmartNavigator intelligent guide technology to offer a simple user interface to help viewers find movie titles and other on-demand content far more easily than time-and channel-based TV listings.<br /><br />Predictive Networks' SmartNavigator audience guidance technology breaks out of the standard channel or category grid, ranking and ordering VOD line-ups according to household preferences. Simple interfaces, such as SmartPicks, display program recommendations in order of their relevance to the viewer. SmartChannel makes it possible to surf through recommended programs using the remote's up and down channel buttons. SmartGrid is an interactive feature that integrates with and sorts existing channel listing guides according to the viewer's preferences.<br /><br />Predictive Networks plans to offer SmartVOD to operators directly, and through integration with set-top box providers and middleware platforms.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Tenzing Showcases World's First Inflight Two-Way SMS<br /><br />Tenzing Communications Inc has successful demonstrated the airborne two-way short messaging service to mobile phones worldwide.<br /><br />Onboard a demonstration flight of a new Airbus 340-600 aircraft from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, David Trowern, engineering vice president of Tenzing Communications, exchanged SMS messages with several friends and colleagues across the United States and the United Kingdom. Mr Trowern sent SMS updates on his arrival time to the Los Angeles airport and received back their well wishes, conversing directly with their mobile handsets, while in-flight somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.<br /><br />The new service will integrate with the onboard in-flight entertainment system to allow passengers access to the most innovative features to-date, being able to send and reply to SMS messages via their seat back video screen.<br /><br />Like terrestrial SMS, passengers will simply need to know the recipient's mobile phone number. While in-flight, passengers will not need their mobile handset. Access will be provided through in-seat personal video screens, using either a touchscreen keyboard or in-seat game console handsets for message input. Replies from the ground will be directed right back to the passenger's seat. The service will offer seamless network interoperability with TDMA, CDMA, GSM and iDEN networks. Governing aeronautic regulatory agencies do not yet approve use of mobile handsets onboard aircraft.<br /><br />Tenzing is working with several airlines and IFE suppliers to implement this service and expects to have the service available for passenger use later this year.<br /><br />The network utilises Tenzing's patent pending satellite communications system for air-to-ground communications with an on-board proxy server delivering content to passengers over a cabin local area network (LAN).<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />PEOPLE<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Arnold Friedman Named Senior VP, Worldwide Marketing and Sales at SS/Loral<br /><br />Space Systems/Loral has announced today that Arnold Friedman has been named senior vice president of worldwide marketing and sales, reporting to C Patrick Dewitt, president, Space Systems/Loral.<br /><br />Mr Friedman, 45, assumes responsibility for all worldwide sales and marketing activities for the company's commercial satellites, systems, and services around the globe. He replaces Daniel E Collins, 62, who will retire from the company on May 4, 2002.<br /><br />Mr Friedman is a veteran of more than 22 years in the satellite industry, most recently as president of ProtoCast Services LLC, a company formed to provide new satellite-based consumer telecommunications services and satellite-industry consulting services.<br /><br />Prior to ProtoCast, Mr Friedman had been vice president, ventures, for SS/L from 1996 to 2000. He directed sales campaigns focusing on the satellite-based transmission of data, television, and radio, and evaluated the potential of new technologies and investments.<br /><br />Before joining SS/L in 1996, Mr Friedman was with the Space Systems division of Lockheed Martin Corporation for 16 years, where he held various program management positions and increasingly important roles on satellite and telecommunications projects.<br /><br />Mr Friedman holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />EMS Technologies' Satcom Division Appoints Raymond L Larkin to Lead Aeronautical Sales and Marketing<br /><br />EMS Technologies Inc has announced the appointment of Raymond Larkin as director, Sales and Marketing, Satcom Aeronautical Group located in Ottawa, Canada. Larkin has 15 years of experience in the aeronautical field, serving in a variety of engineering, marketing and managerial capacities.<br /><br />At EMS, Larkin oversees the continued growth of the market-leading Aeronautical group, which serves a diverse customer base of leading manufacturers in the corporate aviation industry, such as Honeywell, Gulfstream and Bombardier. Larkin leads the development and evolution of numerous Satcom products, including the HSD-128, EMS's aeronautical high-speed data terminal. He also leads the aeronautical team, in concert with the Satcom division's product engineering team, to facilitate business- development initiatives, and to maintain the aeronautical group's position as a leading industry innovator.<br /><br />Prior to joining EMS, Larkin was director of marketing at Teledyne Controls, Los Angeles, California, where he was responsible for establishing market growth and product line extension for existing aircraft communication and date acquisition systems.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Press releases should be sent to: newsfeed@microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Microcom makes no charge for this service and makes no payments for the use of material. Microcom makes no warranties about the quality of this free service and accepts no liability for mistakes and errors. Use of this service is taken as confirmation of acceptance of these conditions.<br /><br />If you require further information contact Microcom by email: info@microcomsystems.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />This newsletter, and archives dating back to January 2000, can be viewed on the web at http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />To subscribe and unsubscribe go to: http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/subscribe.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Copyright 2002 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