MICROCOM'S SPACE NEWSFEED 24 November 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: http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/pubs/ssie.html. October 2002 issue now available. Also available online - get a temporary password to review the Handbook by sending a blank email to review@microcomsystems.co.uk.<br /><br />Check out other web resources from Microcom Systems:<br /><br />Satellite Industry Links: the largest free 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 book reviews http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk<br /><br />Jobs in Space: space industry recruitment http://www.space-jobs.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />CONTENTS<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SATCOMS:<br />Connexion by Boeing Receives Key European Regulatory Authorisations<br />HNS Europe Signs AstraCom as Provider of DirecWay Broadband Services<br />Industry Canada Grants Approval to HNS for SpaceWay Satellites in Canada<br />Intelsat Enables Vodacom to Grow in Africa<br />Scandinavian Airlines System Selects Connexion by Boeing<br /><br />MILITARY SPACE:<br />SI International Wins US Air Force Space Command Contract<br /><br />SCIENCE:<br />ATK Will Supply Composite Telescope Structure for New NASA Space Observatory<br /><br />TECHNOLOGY:<br />Canadian Space Agency Launches Small and Micro-satellite Program<br />NASA Awards Contracts for Flight Demonstrators<br /><br />LAUNCHES:<br />Eutelsat W5<br />STS-113<br />Launch Schedule<br /><br />BUSINESS:<br />SES Americom Insures Six Satellites and their Launches in Bundled Agreement<br /><br />PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:<br />Helius MPEG-1/2 Decoder and Playback Set-Top Appliance Ships<br />Helius Satellite Router v2 Advances Satellite IP Routing<br />KVH Introduces Mobile, High-Speed Internet to Europe With TracNet 2.0<br />Stratos Launches Regional BGAN Service<br />ViaSat Introduces Calypso IV Terminal<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SMi's Fourth Annual Global MILSATCOM 2002<br />25 & 26th November 2002, Heathrow Airport, London<br />for more info and to enrol: www.smi-online.co.uk/gmsc.asp<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 />Connexion by Boeing Receives Key European Regulatory Authorisations<br /><br />(18 November 2002) Regulatory agencies from Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium and The Netherlands have granted authorisation for The Boeing Company to use a range of Ku band frequencies for its Connexion by Boeing mobile information service.<br /><br />The authorisations have been granted in support of service demonstrations with Lufthansa German Airlines and British Airways that will begin in the first quarter of 2003. The two leading European air carriers are pioneering the use of broadband connectivity onboard commercial aircraft and will commence three-month service demonstrations in January and February, respectively.<br /><br />Airline passengers will be able to choose from a multitude of personalised real-time services in flight including access to high-speed Internet, intranet and e-mail services, e-commerce, shopping, entertainment content and travel and destination information on trans-Atlantic flights between Europe and North America.<br /><br />The Connexion by Boeing service for commercial airlines is now less than three months away following stringent review by government agencies in each country that has the responsibility for allocating radio frequencies. To support those efforts, Connexion by Boeing has used a dedicated Boeing 737 aircraft for research, testing, validation and demonstrations to ensure the service can operate within its allocated spectrum without causing radio interference with other spectrum users. In a parallel effort, the Connexion by Boeing regulatory team has worked extensively with countries that are members of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for the global spectrum allocation.<br /><br />In addition to the passenger connectivity benefits, Connexion by Boeing's broadband service provides airlines with a choice for an e-enablement framework for commercial aircraft, transforming them into a value-added node on an airline's global information network, allowing in-flight crews to talk to the airline operation centre and move data simultaneously over multiple channels when they want, wherever they want. By taking advantage of the service's unmatched bandwidth, airline personnel can send and receive information that enhances operational efficiencies on the ground and in the cabin environment.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />HNS Europe Signs AstraCom as Provider of DirecWay Broadband Services<br /><br />(20 November 2002) Hughes Network Systems Europe (HNSE) has announced that AstraCom Technologies Holding Company BV has signed on to offer two-way, high-speed Internet services to small- and medium-sized businesses throughout Europe.<br /><br />Already a reseller of Hughes Network Systems' products, AstraCom will now provide complete broadband access solutions to their customers throughout the region. The broadband Internet access service is available in either single user or LAN terminal configurations, with scalable grades of service to satisfy consumer through enterprise-wide requirements.<br /><br />AstraCom Satellite Communications Holding Company BV is a Dutch telecommunications company based in Utrecht that offers telecommunications solutions mainly to central European telecommunication service providers and to the business community. AstraCom Technologies has subsidiary offices in Prague, Czech Republic, Bratislava in the Slovak Republic and in Budapest, Hungary. From these offices, AstraCom is active in all of the Central European countries from Poland to Albania. AstraCom offers engineering and consultancy, corporate networks and Internet connectivity to customers including governmental organisations, ISPs and ASPs and international carriers.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Industry Canada Grants Approval to HNS for SpaceWay Satellites in Canada<br /><br />(20 November 2002) Industry Canada has granted HNS approval to use the SpaceWay North American satellites at 99° and 101° W to provide services to, from and within Canada.<br /><br />This authorisation permits SpaceWay satellites to utilise Ka band spectrum for advanced broadband services to earth stations licensed in Canada. SpaceWay's coverage footprint will exceed 80% of Canada's population, including many geographically dispersed and underserved areas.<br /><br />Scheduled for launch in 2003, with commercial service beginning in 2004, SpaceWay will provide full-mesh connectivity for delivery of high-bandwidth, multimedia services.<br /><br />In addition to its peer-to-peer architecture, SpaceWay incorporates many other advanced features - such as on-board processing, packet switching, spot beams, and bandwidth-on-demand. It will open up a wealth of opportunities for delivering high-speed, broadband services and new IP applications to North American enterprises. Applications include high-quality, secure videoconferencing, telecollaboration, Internet access, telemedicine, and distance learning-on-demand.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Intelsat Enables Vodacom to Grow in Africa<br /><br />(18 November 2002) Intelsat South Africa (Pty) Ltd has signed a five-year contract with Vodacom International, a subsidiary of the Vodacom Group, to provide satellite capacity to enable Vodacom's expansion of mobile telecommunications services to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Tanzania.<br /><br />Intelsat is providing capacity on its 904 satellite at 60º E to carry the telecommunications traffic generated to and from more than 20 base stations and switching centres around and inside the African countries, as well as into the public switched network.<br /><br />The Vodacom Group is one of South Africa's largest privately owned companies, whose major shareholders are Telkom SA, Venfin and Vodafone.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Scandinavian Airlines System Selects Connexion by Boeing<br /><br />(21 November 2002) Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and Connexion by Boeing have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will make the airline a significant international customer for the high-speed mobile information services provider.<br /><br />A prelude to a service agreement, the MOU calls for the market-leading broadband data and entertainment service to be installed on 11 SAS long-haul aircraft as part of the first step, with additional aircraft options for expansion of the service. In 2004 SAS will be one of the first airlines in the world to offer this service. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.<br /><br />Connexion by Boeing is a mobile information services provider that is bringing high-speed Internet, data and entertainment connectivity to aircraft in flight. The service currently is available to the executive services market in the US, which includes operators of private and government aircraft and will begin service demonstrations with Lufthansa in January 2003, followed by the commencement of service demos with British Airways in February 2003.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />MILITARY SPACE<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SI International Wins US Air Force Space Command Contract<br /><br />(18 November 2002) SI International has received a prime contract to assist the Air Force Space Command, (AFSPC), Space and Missile System Center's System Sustainment Manager for the Satellite and Launch Control Systems (SMC/CWD) in implementing Air Force Product Support Management.<br /><br />The contract awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Systems Integration and Management Center (FEDSIM) is for one and one-half base years with two one-year option renewals. The contract has a potential value of US$ 6.6 million over the three and one-half year period.<br /><br />SI International will provide IT management, engineering, technical, and administrative services supporting the AFSPC SMC/CWD in improving operational efficiency and effectiveness, and reducing performance costs for the Satellite and Launch Control Systems. Specific areas of technical support and expertise to be performed by SI International include:<br /><br />* Implement integrated logistics support elements;<br />* Develop the acquisition and sustainment logistics support infrastructure;<br />* Provide systems engineering study and proposal evaluation and analyses;<br />* Evaluate technical data, verification and validation, and configuration<br /> audits;<br />* Manage databases and web-based applications; and,<br />* Define plans and processes.<br /><br />The Space and Missile Systems Center Satellite and Launch Control Systems Program Office serves as the Air Force Satellite Control Network acquisition agency responsible for network sustainment activities, future architecture planning, and data, communications, and range systems engineering. The program office is also responsible for the major development efforts of the Spacelift Range System.<br /><br />For more than twelve years, SI International has served as a technical support contractor for the military space community including Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Headquarters United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), Headquarters Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), and Headquarters Army Space Command (ARSPACE). In addition, SI International has supported the Spacelift Range Systems, Range Standardization and Automation, and the Air Force Satellite Control Network since 1996.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SCIENCE<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ATK Will Supply Composite Telescope Structure for New NASA Space Observatory<br /><br />(22 November 2002) ATK (Alliant Techsystems) is the composite structures supplier on a team led by prime contractor TRW that will build NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, a powerful new space-based observatory designed to replace the Hubble Space Telescope.<br /><br />Sales under the teaming agreement with TRW are expected to be approximately US$ 15 million.<br /><br />ATK Composites, Clearfield, Utah, will be responsible for design, fabrication, and testing of the composite telescope structure, which includes backing structures and struts for the telescope's two deployable mirrors and support structures for the aft optics. The structures will be manufactured from a proprietary graphite hybrid material using advanced hand layup and precision bonding techniques specifically designed for critical thermal distortion performance at cryogenic temperatures.<br /><br />TRW will design and fabricate the observatory's primary mirror and spacecraft, and will be responsible for systems integration, pre-flight testing, and on-orbit checkout of the observatory. Other key team-mates on the project include Ball Aerospace and Eastman Kodak.<br /><br />The next-generation telescope will be able to peer farther into space and with greater clarity than any previous telescope at a fraction of the size and overall cost of the Hubble Space Telescope. Scientists hope to use the telescope to gain a greater understanding of the origins and structure of the universe and make predictions about its ultimate fate. The telescope will operate in cryogenic temperatures below -235° C in a Lagrange 2 orbit over 1.5 million km from Earth. When deployed, its primary mirror will be approximately 6.1 m in diameter.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />TECHNOLOGY<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Canadian Space Agency Launches Small and Micro-satellite Program<br /><br />(13 November 2002) The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded six contracts, worth a total of Cdn$ 930,000, to Canadian space companies for developing generic small-satellite and micro-satellite buses to meet the future needs of the Canadian space program.<br /><br />These contracts have been awarded to Bristol Aerospace Limited, EMS Technologies, Com Dev International, Space Quest, and Dynacon.<br /><br />The CSA's small and micro-satellite program will oversee the activities of Canadian satellite missions for the next ten years. To reduce costs, the program includes the development of a satellite platform designed to accommodate both scientific and technology-demonstration missions.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Awards Contracts for Flight Demonstrators<br /><br />(20 November 2002) NASA has awarded contracts under the Cycle 2 Space Launch Initiative (SLI) solicitation to two companies for flight demonstrator technologies. The awards for flight demonstrators are required at this stage to mature technologies needed to support full-scale development design of a future competitively selected Orbital Space Plane under the restructured SLI effort.<br /><br />The Boeing Company-Phantom Works Division, Seal Beach, California., was awarded approximately US$ 301 million (including options through 2006) to continue the development of the X-37 flight demonstrator. This contract includes a progressive series of approach and landing tests and a space transportation research orbital vehicle. The atmospheric tests are scheduled for mid-2004 and the orbital flight is scheduled for mid-2006.<br /><br />The Lockheed Martin Corporation, Denver, Colorado, was awarded a contract valued up to approximately US$ 53 million (including options through 2006) to develop a reusable launch pad abort demonstrator. The contract includes a full-scale reusable system that will provide the capability to test technologies in a launch pad abort situation.<br /><br />The solicitation was issued in January, as part of the second generation SLI, and requested proposals for a broad range of research and development activities for technology risk reduction activities.<br /><br />The Boeing developed X-37 vehicles will be used as flight demonstrator test beds. These technology demonstrators will test key embedded technologies and flight experiments in relevant environments of ascent, on-orbit, and descent and landing phases of flight. An initial list of experiments and technologies to be tested includes: advanced guidance, navigation and control, thermal protection systems, high temperature structures, conformal reusable insulation, high-temperature seals, and tile leading edges.<br /><br />The Lockheed-Martin launch pad abort demonstrator will be used as a test-bed to demonstrate crew escape technologies and to validate analytical models necessary for future crew escape systems. The launch pad abort demonstrator test bed will use fully instrumented mannequins to provide data on crew environments during the test and check out of crew escape propulsion systems, parachute deployment, vehicle orientation, landing techniques, and external aeroshell configurations. This vehicle may be upgraded to test additional maturing launch pad abort technologies to improve crew safety and survivability.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />LAUNCHES<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Eutelsat W5<br /><br />Launched: 20 November 2002<br />Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />Launcher: Delta 4M<br />Orbit: GEO, 70.5° E<br />International Number: 2002-051A<br />Name: Eutelsat W5<br />Owner: Eutelsat<br />Contractor: Alcatel Space<br /><br />Eutelsat W5 is a commercial communications satellite and will offer a complete range of services, including video distribution and contribution links, occasional use video, especially for satellite newsgathering (SNG), and Internet backbone connections.<br /><br />Built on the Spacebus 3000 platform, it is equipped with 24 Ku-band transponders, configured with one fixed widebeam covering Western Europe, central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, and two steerable spotbeams. The spotbeams can be steered according to commercial requirements to cover all accessible zones, especially Southeast Asia. Weighing over 3,000 kg at lift-off, the satellite develops 6 kW of power and has a design life exceeding 12 years.<br /><br />This was the first flight of Boeing's Delta 4 launch vehicle.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />STS-113<br /><br />Launched: 23 November 2002<br />Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida<br />Launcher: Shuttle Endeavour (STS-113)<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 226 km, perigee: 226 km: inclination: 51.6°<br />International Number: 2002-052A<br />Name: ISS 11A, ITS, P1 on the Shuttle Endeavour (STS-113)<br />Owner: NASA<br /><br />This shuttle mission will support the construction of the International Space Station (ISS) and will deliver the P1 Truss section to the station. It will also carry the three Expedition Six ISS crew members to orbit and will return with the three Expedition Five crew members.<br /><br />Crew:<br />James D Wetherbee, commander<br />Christopher J Loria, pilot<br />Michael E Lopez-Alegria, mission specialist<br />John B Herrington, mission specialists<br />Kenneth D Bowersox, Expedition Six to ISS<br />Donald A Thomas, Expedition Six to ISS<br />Nikolai M Budarin, Expedition Six to ISS<br />Valeri G Korzun, Expedition Five from ISS<br />Peggy A Whitson, Expedition Five from ISS<br />Sergei Y Treschev, Expedition Five from ISS<br /><br />The P1 is the latest addition to the space station's 10-segment Integrated Truss Structure. The trusses will carry the station's solar arrays along with a cooling system for the orbital outpost.<br /><br />The Boeing-built P1 truss along with one CETA (Crew and Equipment Translation Aid) cart costs about US$ 390 million. The cart is used to move spacewalkers, tools and equipment along the truss structure.<br /><br />When deployed both P1 and S1 have a set of three radiators. The P1 and S1 radiators are each mounted on a radiator beam assembly that rotates to keep itself in the shade and away from the sun in order to maximise thermal performance. The radiator beam is attached to the truss via a rotating mechanism called the thermal radiator rotary joint (TRRJ) that rotates the three radiators 105° in either direction. The TRRJ power data transfer assembly transfers power and the flex hose rotary coupler transfers ammonia between the radiators and the rest of the space station.<br /><br />The addition of P1 also extends the Mobile Transporter (MT) rail line. The MT car travels along the length of the truss structure to carry the space station robotic arm along with space walkers, tools and construction items. Also, the two CETA carts operate on the S1 and P1 rail lines and are used to move spacewalkers, tools and equipment along the truss structure. A CETA cart can be used alone or coupled to the MT.<br /><br />The P1 truss will be attached to the left or port side of the S0 (starboard zero). In October 2002, Space Shuttle Atlantis delivered and installed the S1 truss to the right or starboard side of S0.<br /><br />The P1 truss is made primarily from aluminium. It is 13.7 m x 4.5 m x 3.9 m and weighs 12,476 kg.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />BUSINESS<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SES Americom Insures Six Satellites and their Launches in Bundled Agreement<br /><br />(18 November 2002) SES Americom has closed on an insurance placement, one of the largest and uniquely structured ever completed in the space market. The package covers six communication satellites to be launched between January 2003 and 4th Quarter, 2004. The book value of the package is over US$ 1.3 billion; specific terms were not disclosed.<br /><br />Based on the industry-leading quality performance and reliability of the SES Americom and SES Astra fleets, the company negotiated a performance-based placement that should result in rates that have not been available in the space markets since 2000. The placement was co-ordinated by Marsh - Space, which deployed specialised teams in its New York, London, Paris, Bermuda and Luxembourg offices to pull together the complex syndicate of almost two dozen underwriters.<br /><br />The six spacecraft covered under the agreement are:<br /><br />* AMC-9, a hybrid C and Ku band spacecraft being constructed by Alcatel<br /> and scheduled for an ILS launch into 72° W on a Proton K in January 2003.<br />* AMC-10, a C band A2100 being constructed by Lockheed Martin and planned<br /> for an Atlas launch into 135° W by ILS in early 2004 as one of two<br /> dedicated satellites for Americom’s premium cable neighbourhood.<br />* AMC-11, a C band A2100 being constructed by Lockheed Martin and planned<br /> for Atlas launch into 131° W by ILS in early 2004 as the second dedicated<br /> satellite comprising Americom’s premium cable neighbourhood.<br />* AMC-12, a large C band spacecraft being constructed by Alcatel on a<br /> Spacebus 4000 and planned for an ILS Proton M/Breeze M launch into 37.5° W<br /> in 4th Quarter 2003 to provide service over the Atlantic.<br />* AMC-13, a large C band spacecraft being built by Alcatel on a<br /> Spacebus 4000 and planned for an Ariane 5 ECA launch into 172° E in<br /> 4th Quarter 2003 to provide service over the Pacific.<br />* AMC-15, a hybrid Ku/Ka band A2100 spacecraft being constructed by<br /> Lockheed Martin to be launched on an Ariane 5 ECA vehicle into 105° W in<br /> the 2nd Half of 2004 as part of the Americom2Home services to US consumers.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />PRODUCTS AND SERVICES<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Helius MPEG-1/2 Decoder and Playback Set-Top Appliance Ships<br /><br />(18 November 2002) Helius Inc has released its Helius Video Appliance (HVA) set top device, a full-featured add-on for Helius Satellite Router v2 or Helius Media Router. HVA provides delivery of high-quality live or stored multicast and video file playback on any video display or television.<br /><br />HVA allows users to control playback at the point of display via remote control. The playback content can be stored on HVA (with optional hard drive) or delivered from a device like the Helius Satellite Router v2. In addition, key features of HVA include:<br /><br />* Dedicated MPEG hardware decoder<br />* Live and stored multicast/unicast MPEG<br />* Video file playback<br />* Playback control via infrared remote control<br />* Unique IP address and MAC address<br />* Local caching and recording for local playback and storage (with optional<br /> hard drive)<br />* Remote boot configuration<br />* Standards-based<br />* Integrated browser for custom browser-based content<br />* Integration with other Helius routers for additional features, including<br /> tracking and logging of video playback, auto reporting of tracked data,<br /> user-defined playlists, and video looping<br /><br />Helius Video Appliance is priced at US$ 999 (MSRP). Storage options are available for an additional fee.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Helius Satellite Router v2 Advances Satellite IP Routing<br /><br />(18 November 2002) Helius Inc has announced the availability of its Helius Satellite Router v2 (HSR2), the first product of its kind to offer a full suite of video services-including conversion of digital video broadcast (DVB) to IP multicast in real-time, configurable video playlists, ad rotation, full-featured logging, video playback, video-on-demand, and electronic program guide (EPG).<br /><br />HSR v2 is a fully IP compliant broadband router with a satellite interface. This patented router has been designed as a modular, robust platform with a complete suite of data, video, and content management applications. It offers the flexibility to customise or add new features and functionality without affecting the stability of the core system.<br /><br />HSR v2 builds upon earlier versions (which introduced TV-out and hard disk storage in a satellite IP router) with new video services and features, including:<br /><br />* Receiving, storing, and/or routing DVB satellite traffic containing data,<br /> voice, and video to any IP network.<br />* Accessing configurable video playlists and ad rotation with full-featured<br /> logging<br />* Video playback and video on demand<br />* Electronic program guide (EPG)<br />* Personal video recorder (PVR)<br />* IP Multicast Streaming<br />* Support for DHCP, DNS, VPN, streamed video and other networked services<br />* Service Advertising Protocol (SAP) support<br />* MPEG-1/2 decoder support<br />* Remote management support<br />* Conditional Access<br />* Infrared remote control<br />* Auto-reroute on signal loss<br /><br />Helius Satellite Router v2 is priced at US$ 2,499 (MSRP) with a standard 80 gigabyte hard drive. Other storage options are available.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />KVH Introduces Mobile, High-Speed Internet to Europe With TracNet 2.0<br /><br />(19 November 2002) KVH Industries has introduced its new TracNet 2.0 Mobile High- speed Internet System. TracNet 2.0 provides seamless, two-way Internet access throughout Europe by combining broadband Internet-via-satellite downloads and a wireless return path.<br /><br />Broadband Internet data provided by Xantic is available throughout Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of the North Sea, Black Sea, and northern Africa. The broadband signal is received by any of KVH's Digital Video Broadcast (DVB)-compatible TracVision satellite TV antennas. These fully stabilised marine satellite TV antennas offer access to both the broadband Internet downloads as well as more than 300 channels of digital TV and audio entertainment, news, sports, weather, and business information.<br /><br />Users can access Internet data via the powerful server-based TracNet 2.0, which offers unmatched networking versatility that includes Ethernet and optional 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless network connections. As many as 5 users can surf the web simultaneously from virtually anywhere on board the ship. Outgoing e-mail and Internet requests are transmitted by the TracNet 2.0 wireless return path, which uses KVH's Velocity Acceleration software to boost outgoing transmission speeds to as fast as 56 kb/s. The return path can also be used for standard two-way Internet access should the vessel move outside the broadband coverage area or the satellite signal is blocked. In addition, the standard service can be used when the TracVision antenna is receiving satellite TV signals, allowing passengers and crew to enjoy their favourite television programs as well as two-way Internet connections. TracNet 2.0's standard coverage area extends into the eastern Atlantic and Middle East.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Stratos Launches Regional BGAN Service<br /><br />(20 November 2002) Stratos has announced the launch of a revolutionary new service, Regional BGAN. Launched in partnership with Inmarsat, this new compact and lightweight satellite IP terminal will allow users connection speeds of up to 144 kb/s at a cost which is much lower than previous communications solutions.<br /><br />In addition to this, the solution brings the advantage of an "Always-On" connection, meaning the user will not have to log on and off as they use the system. The lightweight, compact size of the terminal makes it a very "mobile friendly" solution, allowing it to be carried anywhere and everywhere.<br /><br />As a true IP terminal, users only pay for the data they send or receive, making it an ideal proposition for those requiring Internet, email, e-commerce, or file transfer capabilities, for example.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ViaSat Introduces Calypso IV Terminal<br /><br />(19 November 2002) The Comsat Laboratories division of ViaSat Inc is introducing the new Calypso IV terminal for StarWire networks that gives users two high-speed PCMA-capable modem cards in each terminal.<br /><br />Calypso IV reduces the cost of PCMA hub installations by cutting the number of Calypso chassis in half compared to Calypso III. In addition, the product line now offers Uplink Power Control to boost system performance and a low-cost L band to 70/140 MHz converter for more outdoor transceiver equipment (RF) options.<br /><br />StarWire satellite communication networks provide bandwidth, data rates, routing, and traffic circuits on-demand in a full mesh configuration for efficient, wide-area IP networking.<br /><br />StarWire is the first satellite network product to offer ViaSat-exclusive Paired Carrier Multiple Access (PCMA) that can cut bandwidth use by as much as half by enabling both send and receive signals to occupy the same bandwidth.<br /><br />By allowing two high-speed PCMA modems per chassis, Calypso IV saves customers money and simplifies their network installations. Calypso IV can carry two high-speed PCMA clear channel services, or one clear-channel and one high-speed IP service. The new terminal is completely compatible with all Calypso III configurations.<br /><br />The new Uplink Power Control feature improves availability and performance in StarWire networks by mitigating Ku band rain fade and automatically maintaining transmit power levels that maximise the cost-savings of PCMA. Uplink Power Control is available as a software upgrade to existing StarWire networks.<br /><br />ViaSat's L band to 70/140 MHz converter gives users more options in their choice of RF equipment. In network retrofits, customers can save money by reusing 70 MHz interface RF equipment, or new installations can take advantage of desirable features in 70 or 140 MHz RF transceivers, such as redundancy. The L band to 70/ 140 MHz converter is available in redundant and non-redundant configurations for StarWire Calypso and also ViaSat's Linkway 2100.<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