Microcom's Space Newsfeed 31 August 2003<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Published by Microcom Systems Ltd, consultants in satellite communications since 1985.
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http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/ratecard.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Contents<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms:<br />Connexion by Boeing Selects Eutelsat and Space Communications Corporation for Connectivity<br />Data Access and Intelsat Ink Multi Million Dollar Deal for Satellite Capacity<br />New Skies Launches New Internet Transmission Platform for West Africa<br /><br />Earth Observation:<br />Com Dev Awarded Satellite Battery Contract<br />DigitalGlobe Plans Third Ground Station<br />New Tool for Weather Forecasters<br /><br />Navigation:<br />Trimble's New Software Puts Power in the Hands of Earthworks Contractors<br /><br />Science:<br />NASA Awards Chandra X-Ray Observatory Follow-On Contract<br />Panel Identifies Three Options for Space Telescope Transition<br /><br />Manned Space:<br />Columbia Accident Investigation Board Releases Final Report<br /><br />Technology:<br />Aerojet Tests Advanced Hydrogen Peroxide Rocket Engine Injector<br /><br />Launches:<br />SIRTF<br />Progress-M 48 (ISS 12P)<br />DSCS III B6<br /><br />Business:<br />Liberty Satellite to be Acquired by Liberty Media<br /><br />Products and Services:<br />GigaSat Introduces World's First 3.7 metre Flyaway Antenna System<br />Kingston Opens Up the World's High Definition Hot Spots<br />Maxwell Technologies Introduces Rad-Stak Packaging For Space Components<br /><br />People:<br />Orbital Names Leo Millstein Senior Vice President and General Counsel<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />EEBC 2003<br /><br />The broadband event demanded by the industry in Central and Eastern Europe. Aims to harmonise and accelerate growth throughout the region to achieve the full triple-play services of video, data and telephony for Cable and Wireless TV systems. Will include Technical Training, Seminars, Industry Conference, Exhibition, Forum of Program Providers, Congress of CATV Organisations.
www.eebc.com.ua<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SMi's Global MILSATCOM<br />24th and 25th November 2003<br />Radisson SAS, Portman Hotel, London<br /><br />SMi's Fifth Annual Global MILSATCOM Conference brings together an international line-up of speakers to analyse current requirements and projects along with future developments in the field of Military Satellite Communications. For further details and to download a conference brochure and registration form, please visit:
www.smi-online.co.uk/milsatcom3.asp<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Bolton Associates - Corporate Strategies applies 21st. Century thinking for the Earth Observation, SatCom and Environment Industries that penetrate new markets using creative commercial Risk models and innovation.<br /><br />Visit us at
http://www.BoltonAssociates.com and/or download our Power Point presentation
http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/ads/EOConsult.ppt [131Kb]<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Space Bookshop - books for space professionals.<br />
http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/book.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satellite Internet access in Africa, Europe and the Middle East<br />
http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/internet1.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Connexion by Boeing Selects Eutelsat and Space Communications Corporation for Connectivity<br /><br />(26 August 2003) Connexion by Boeing has signed contracts with satellite operators Eutelsat and Space Communications Corporation for satellite transponder capacity for Connexion by Boeing’s mobile broadband information services. Tokyo-based Space Communications Corporation (SCC) will also operate an Asia-Pacific gateway for the service.<br /><br />The provision of transponder capacity covering key areas of Europe and Asia provides additional momentum for the full-scale introduction of high-speed connectivity for airlines and passengers seeking real-time access to email, company intranets, the World Wide Web and entertainment content in flight.<br /><br />Based on the Eutelsat agreement, Connexion by Boeing will lease capacity on Eutelsat’s SESAT satellite, which is located at 36° East and provides a footprint stretching from the eastern Atlantic Ocean across the European continent and as far east as Central Asia. Eutelsat previously provided Connexion by Boeing with satellite capacity over the North Atlantic and Europe during successful three-month service demonstrations with Lufthansa and British Airways. Financial terms were not disclosed.<br /><br />Working together with SCC, Connexion by Boeing will lease transponder capacity on the company's Superbird-C satellite located at 144° E, providing the mobile information services provider with satellite coverage that supports the popular Asia-to-Europe airline routes. In addition, SCC will establish and operate a satellite gateway (ground station) at the Ibaraki Satellite Control Center north of Tokyo, providing a link between passengers using the service aboard commercial airliners and the terrestrial-based network used to access the World Wide Web.<br /><br />Connexion by Boeing’s service offers a permanent two-way connection between an antenna installed on the plane and the satellite. Airline passengers will be able to send and receive e-mails, access their firewall-protected corporate intranets and the World Wide Web, use a range of on-line shopping services and consult travel and tourist information - all in real-time. Airline operators also will benefit from access to real-time crew and aircraft data.<br /><br />Connexion by Boeing will begin the installation of its service onboard commercial airliners in early 2004.<br /><br />(source: Connexion by Boeing, Eutelsat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Data Access and Intelsat Ink Multi Million Dollar Deal for Satellite Capacity<br /><br />(26 August 2003) Data Access has signed a multi-million dollar agreement with Intelsat to support its IPLC operations. Under this agreement, Data Access will utilise satellite capacity from Intelsat worth 100 Mb/s over a multiyear period. The deal marks Data Access’ foray into the lucrative International Private Leased Circuits (IPLC) business between India and Europe. This marks the beginning of a long-term relationship between the two companies.<br /><br />This will significantly boost Data Access’ current capacity of 1024 Mb/s on C and Ku band to 1200 Mb/s. Data Access will utilise capacity on multiple Intelsat transponders on the 704 satellite located at 66° E in geostationary orbit. Connectivity will be established from Data Access’ Network Operating Centre (NOC) in Delhi to Intelsat’s teleport in Fuchsstadt, Germany, via satellite. Traffic will be routed from Germany on fibre backhaul to Intelsat’s London Point of Presence (PoP) to connect with Data Access’ London PoP.<br /><br />(source: Intelsat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />New Skies Launches New Internet Transmission Platform for West Africa<br /><br />(28 August 2003) New Skies Satellites NV has established an additional IP transmission platform dedicated to Internet services providers, telecommunications carriers, government agencies and businesses throughout West Africa.<br /><br />The expansion is in response to strong demand in the region for the company's IPsys branded Internet backbone connectivity services and powerful Ku band capacity on the NSS-7 satellite. IPsys directly connects customers' remote Points of Presence (PoPs) to the global Internet backbone via a single satellite hop. IPsys connections thus bypass all shared ground networks and associated congestion points - as well as any terrestrial connectivity gaps - to seamlessly deliver rich Internet content to even the remotest locations at high speeds.<br /><br />Ku band transmissions enable IPsys customers to use lower-cost receive equipment and very small antennas. The NSS-7 satellite offers some of the most powerful Ku band coverage of West Africa available today, making New Skies' IPsys services the most cost-effective and highest quality solutions for connecting to the backbone.<br /><br />New Skies currently operates 17 platforms for IPsys services over five satellites via five separate teleport facilities on three continents. In total, these platforms provide over 850 Mb/s of contracted capacity to more than 95 customers in 50 countries. Including the new NSS-7 Ku band service, New Skies operates four platforms that collectively transmit Internet traffic to approximately 100 customer PoPs throughout Africa.<br /><br />The transmission hardware, associated equipment and connectivity for the new IPsys platform is provisioned at New Skies' Washington DC mediaport, which seamlessly links into the North American Internet backbone. The facility will uplink bandwidth-intensive Internet traffic to the NSS-7 satellite for direct delivery to customer PoPs throughout West Africa.<br /><br />IPsys benefits<br /><br />* IPsys services are offered over a truly global and highly reliable<br /> satellite network.<br />* IPsys can bring carrier-level, high-throughput, Internet backbone<br /> connectivity to virtually any spot on the globe.<br />* IPsys improves QoS by creating a direct channel from the Internet<br /> backbone to the ISP's PoP, or its customers' premises.<br />* In contrast to fixed terrestrial connections, IPsys solutions are<br /> flexible and scalable, accommodating the Internet's asymmetrical traffic<br /> patterns, and allowing incremental, on demand bandwidth growth to meet<br /> evolving business needs.<br />* Every part of the IPsys service uses fully redundant, industry leading<br /> components.<br /><br />(source: New Skies Satellites)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Earth Observation<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Com Dev Awarded Satellite Battery Contract<br /><br />(27 August 2003) Com Dev International Ltd has been awarded a Euro 2.3 million contract to supply lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries to a European remote sensing satellite program. Further details with regard to the program and customer cannot be provided due to contractual restrictions imposed by the customer.<br /><br />The product to be delivered is the li-ion battery that Com Dev has been developing and qualifying for space use over the past three years. This sale constitutes the first use of this new Com Dev battery product on a large high-powered satellite. It follows the premiere launch of a Com Dev li-ion battery subsystem on August 12, 2003 on a Canadian Space Agency science satellite. Because of their low mass, high reliability and long life, li-ion batteries have greatly enhanced the use of cell phones and video recorders over the past few years. Their introduction to space applications is expected to equally enhance the performance of future space satellites as well as reduce their mass and thus reduce the cost of launching them. Com Dev's product features a scalable modular design that makes it a flexible solution, easily tailored to a wide range of uses.<br /><br />(source: Com Dev)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />DigitalGlobe Plans Third Ground Station<br /><br />(25 August 2003) DigitalGlobe plans to install a ground station in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania to receive data from the QuickBird high-resolution imaging satellite. Scheduled to be operational by the end of the third quarter, 2003, this ground station provides additional operational capability to DigitalGlobe's other ground stations located in Norway and Alaska.<br /><br />The QuickBird satellite is the world's highest resolution commercial earth imaging satellite, collecting images at 60-centimeter, or two-foot, resolution. Once DigitalGlobe's remote ground stations receive QuickBird satellite data, the data is transferred to the company's headquarters building in Longmont, Colorado. for processing and image quality inspection before being delivered to customers.<br /><br />(source: DigitalGlobe)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />New Tool for Weather Forecasters<br /><br />(26 August 2003) A new processing system now operational in ESA ground stations will help weather forecasters to benefit once more from unique all-weather data from the ERS-2 scatterometer.<br /><br />Although the highly successful ERS global mission is formally over, the spacecraft has been continuing to provide coverage over the north Atlantic.<br /><br />Weather experts are keen to continue to receive data from its wind-measuring instrument, the C band scatterometer. This instrument is unique in the sense that it is not affected by rain and can provide data day or night in all conditions. So experts can get data just when they need it most - in bad weather!<br /><br />The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is especially interested in using this data for measuring winds and waves over the north Atlantic.<br /><br />The scatterometer data has not been available to the user community since 2001 when the spacecraft’s gyros failed. An innovative rescue in January of that year enabled ERS-2 to keep flying without the vital stabilising gyroscopes, prolonging the lifetime of many of the instruments. However, although the scatterometer continued to take measurements, this key wind data could no longer be processed by forecasters.<br /><br />Experts at ESA’s research centre in Italy immediately began looking for ways to retrieve the precious information. Preliminary studies were encouraging, specialists in industry got the go-ahead to develop a software tool to compensate for the degraded satellite attitude and generate the scatterometer measurements from the raw data.<br /><br />The Belgian Royal Military academy (RMA) designed the new ESACA processor, while Spacebel in Belgium produced the engineering code and Spacetec, Norway, had the task of integrating the new system on the ground, at the three ground stations in Kiruna (Sweden), Maspalomas (Canary Islands) and Gatineau (Canada), as well as the reference station at ESA/ESRIN in Frascati (Italy). An installation at an additional station in West Freugh (Scotland) will follow shortly, to optimise coverage of the north Atlantic.<br /><br />The new tool does more than it was asked for. While the original scatterometer was intended to provide wind measurements over sea, a number of new and previously unforeseen applications have emerged - covering not only wind, but also land, sea ice, soil moisture and vegetation measurements.<br /><br />The software algorithm will also be used to reprocess the mountain of archived ERS-1 and -2 scatterometer data. The continuity of these observations offered by ERS since 1991 is invaluable to researchers involved in long-term studies on climate cycles.<br /><br />The new processor is operational this week, good news for forecasters as the cyclone season approaches.<br /><br />(source: ESA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Navigation<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Trimble's New Software Puts Power in the Hands of Earthworks Contractors<br /><br />(27 August 2003) Trimble has introduced its new SCS900 Site Controller System - a GPS-based field software solution designed for use in earthworks, landfill, mining, quarrying, utilities, site preparation, fine grading, surface finishing and many other construction-related applications.<br /><br />The software system enables contractors - even those with no experience in surveying - to complete site measurement and staking tasks instead of having to call in surveyors or keep machines standing while waiting on stakeout. As a result, contractors enjoy increased productivity, greater versatility on the job site, and significant time-savings.<br /><br />The Trimble SCS900 Site Controller can be used on a rod or mounted on an ATV. The task-orientated, work-order-driven system complements traditional and 3D machine control operations, while delivering greater ease of use and increased site measurement capabilities to the earthwork contractor. By supplying real-time coverage maps, the system dramatically simplifies workflow and provides in-the-field feedback to speed up decision-making and validate 3D machine control operations.<br /><br />The SCS900 Site Controller system allows contractors to use 3D surface models from a range of industry-standard engineering design packages for stakeout and grade checking. Designed to give the earthwork contractor greater control, the SCS900 provides the ability to quickly measure cut and fill progress, stockpile material volumes, and check grading operations. And with field reports the contractor is able to make more informed decisions on the job to keep earthmoving machinery moving and avoid costly downtime.<br /><br />The new SCS900 Site Controller System is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2003 through Trimble's Geomatics and Engineering dealer network.<br /><br />(source: Trimble)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Science<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Awards Chandra X-Ray Observatory Follow-On Contract<br /><br />(26 August 2003) NASA has awarded a contract to the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory to provide science and operational support for the Chandra X-ray Observatory, one of the world's most powerful tools to better understand the structure and evolution of the universe.<br /><br />The contract will have a period of performance from August 31, 2003, through July 31, 2010, with an estimated value of US$ 373 million. It is a follow-on contract to the existing contract with Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory that has provided science and operations support to the Observatory since its launch in July 1999. At launch the intended mission life was five years.<br /><br />As a result of Chandra's success, NASA extended the mission from five to 10 years. The value of the original contract was US$ 289 million. The follow-on contract with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory will continue through the 10-year mission. The contract type is cost reimbursement with no fee.<br /><br />The contract covers mission operations and data analysis, which includes the observatory operations, science data processing and the general and guaranteed time observer (astronomer) support. The observatory operations tasks include monitoring the health and status of the observatory and developing and up linking the observation sequences during Chandra's communication coverage periods.<br /><br />The science data processing tasks include the competitive selection, planning, and co-ordination of science observations with the general observers and processing and delivery of the resulting scientific data. There are approximately 200 to 250 observing proposals selected annually out of about 800 submitted, with a total amount of observing time of about 20 million seconds.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Panel Identifies Three Options for Space Telescope Transition<br /><br />(14 August 2003) An independent panel of astronomers has identified three options for NASA to consider for planning the transition from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) at the start of the next decade.<br /><br />The panel, chaired by Prof John Bahcall, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, N.J. chartered by NASA earlier this year, submitted their report to the agency this week.<br /><br />NASA's current plans are to extend the life of the HST to 2010 with one Space Shuttle servicing mission (SM 4) in 2005 or 2006. The plan is tentative pending the agency's return to flight process and the availability of Shuttle missions. NASA plans to eventually remove the HST from orbit and safely bring it down into the Pacific Ocean.<br /><br />The three options presented by the HST-JWST Transition Plan Review Panel, listed in order of priority, are:<br /><br />1. Two additional Shuttle servicing missions, SM4 in about 2005 and SM5 in<br /> about 2010, in order to maximise the scientific productivity of the<br /> Hubble Space Telescope. The extended HST science program resulting from<br /> SM5 would only occur if the HST science was successful in a peer-reviewed<br /> competition with other new space astrophysics proposals.<br /><br />2. One Shuttle servicing mission, SM4, before the end of 2006, which would<br /> include replacement of HST gyros and installing improved instruments. In<br /> this scenario, the HST could be de-orbited, after science operations are<br /> no longer possible, by a propulsion device installed on the HST during SM4<br /> or by an autonomous robotic system.<br /><br />3. If no Shuttle servicing missions are available, a robotic mission to<br /> install a propulsion module to bring the HST down in a controlled descent<br /> when science is no longer possible.<br /><br />In addition, the panel described various ways to ensure maximum science return from the HST if none, one or two Shuttle servicing missions are available.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Manned Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Columbia Accident Investigation Board Releases Final Report<br /><br />(27 August 2003) The Columbia Accident Investigation Board has presented its final report on the causes of the February 1, 2003 Space Shuttle accident to the White House, Congress and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.<br /><br />The CAIB report concludes that while NASA's present Space Shuttle is not inherently unsafe, a number of mechanical fixes are required to make the Shuttle safer in the short term. The report also concludes that NASA's management system is unsafe to manage the shuttle system beyond the short term and that the agency does not have a strong safety culture.<br /><br />The Board determined that physical and organisational causes played an equal role in the Columbia accident - that the NASA organisational culture had as much to do with the accident as the foam that struck the Orbiter on ascent. The report also notes other significant factors and observations that may help prevent the next accident.<br /><br />The report, as expected, concluded that the physical cause of the accident was a piece of insulating foam which broke off during launch and which struck the leading edge of the left wing of the orbiter at several hundred kilometres per second. The foam hit the reinforced carbon composite (RCC) panels on the leading edge of the left wing that it caused a breach which, during re-entry, allowed superheated plasma into the wing causing it to disintegrate with tragic consequences.<br /><br />The report also concludes, however, that NASA itself was the ultimate cause of the accident. NASA's culture of acceptance of problems allowed the accident to happen by placing too much emphasis on the requirement to launch, whilst downplaying the importance of hazards. In this respect NASA has not improved its safety procedures since the Challenger disaster.<br /><br />The Board crafted the report to serve as a framework for a national debate about the future of human space flight, but suggests that it is in the nation's interest to replace the Shuttle as soon as possible as the primary means for transporting humans to and from Earth orbit.<br /><br />The Board makes 29 recommendations in the 248-page final report, including 15 return-to-flight recommendations that should be implemented before the Shuttle Program returns to flight.<br /><br />Key recommendations for return to flight are requirements to:<br /><br />* check the shuttle for damage following launch;<br />* repair damage to tiles;<br />* repair damage to the RCC panels on the leading edges of the wings.<br /><br />This last requirement is probably the most difficult to achieve. The reinforced carbon composite material used for the leading edge panels shatters if hit hard enough, leaving potentially, a very large hole. Recent tests firing pieces of insulating foam at a test assembly of RCC panels mounted on a mock wing section resulted in a 40 cm hole in an RCC panel following one test. Such a hole would be very difficult to patch in orbit.<br /><br />The report, which consists of 11 chapters grouped into three main sections, was the result of a seven-month-long investigation by the CAIB's 13 board members, more than 120 investigators, 400 NASA and contractor employees, and more than 25,000 searchers who recovered Columbia's debris.<br /><br />Over the next several weeks, the Board expects to publish several additional volumes containing technical documents cited in the report or referenced as part of the investigation, as well as transcripts of the board's public hearings.<br /><br />(source: CAIB)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Technology<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Aerojet Tests Advanced Hydrogen Peroxide Rocket Engine Injector<br /><br />(26 August 2003) Aerojet has successfully hot fire tested a full-scale Tri-Fluid Injector. The Tri-Fluid injector is a component of the Advanced Reusable Rocket Engine (ARRE) that Aerojet is developing for the Air Force's in-space reusable propulsion and manoeuvring requirements. This main combustion device enables the closed-cycle configuration of the ARRE which provides for higher performance and greater throttling capability. Injector combustion is accomplished by mixing non-toxic hydrogen peroxide and jet fuel with ARRE's decomposed peroxide turbine exhaust, providing higher performance and deep throttling capability.<br /><br />The test, which consists of the full-scale Tri-Fluid Injector, a workhorse chamber, a turbine simulator, and a 98 percent hydrogen peroxide catalyst bed provided by General Kinetics, was performed under sea-level conditions. This initial test is the first of many over the next several weeks to demonstrate the Tri-Fluid Injector's performance, operability and throttleability. Additional heat transfer data will be acquired to apply towards the technology readiness of the ARRE's peroxide-cooled thrust chamber.<br /><br />Aerojet is conducting the Tri-Fluid Injector test in its new, state-of-the-art hydrogen peroxide engine test facility, which was built for hands-on development of rocket engines containing environmentally friendly hydrogen peroxide propellants. This facility, which is also being used to test NASA's Integrated System Test of an Airbreathing Rocket injectors and other Aerojet research and development efforts, is capable of testing rocket engines up to 100,000 pounds of thrust and provides both sea level and altitude test conditions. The peroxide test facility, which is located at Aerojet's Sacramento plant, allows for close co-ordination between Aerojet's engineering and test operations personnel.<br /><br />Aerojet's Advanced Reusable Rocket Engine utilises non-toxic hydrogen peroxide and closed-cycle rocket engine technologies to improve engine reusability, operability and performance for future Air Force in-space vehicle operations.<br /><br />(source: Aerojet)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launches<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SIRTF<br /><br />Launched: 25 August 2003<br />Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />Launcher: Delta II Heavy<br />Orbit: solar orbit<br />International Number: 2003-038A<br />Name: Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF)<br />Owner: NASA<br />Contractor: Lockheed Martin Space Systems<br /><br />SIRTF is a cryogenically-cooled space observatory that will conduct infrared (IR) astronomy during a two and one-half-to-five year mission.<br /><br />The Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) will obtain images and spectra by detecting the infrared radiation (between wavelengths of 3 and 180 microns) from objects in space. Most of this infrared radiation is blocked by the Earth's atmosphere and cannot be observed from the ground.<br /><br />Consisting of an 0.85-meter telescope and three cryogenically cooled science instruments, SIRTF is one of NASA's largest infrared telescopes to be launched. Its highly sensitive instruments will give a unique view of the Universe and allow scientists to peer into regions of space that are hidden from optical telescopes on the ground or such as the Hubble Space Telescope. Many areas of space are filled with vast, dense clouds of gas and dust that block the view of optical instruments. Infrared light can penetrate these clouds, allowing scientists to peer into regions of star formation, the centres of galaxies, and into newly forming planetary systems. Infrared also brings information about the cooler objects in space, such as smaller stars that are too dim to be detected by their visible light, extra solar planets, and giant molecular clouds. Also, many molecules in space, including organic molecules, have their unique signatures in the infrared.<br /><br />An important feature of the SIRTF mission is the adoption of a solar orbit. To reach this orbit, the spacecraft was launched on a Delta 7920 launch vehicle with slightly greater than terrestrial escape velocity. The resulting orbit will have SIRTF trailing the Earth in its orbit around the Sun. This orbit makes better use of launch capability than do many possible alternate orbits that would keep SIRTF in orbit around the Earth. It permits excellent, uninterrupted viewing of a large portion of the sky without the need for Earth-avoidance manoeuvres. In addition, the absence of heat input from the Earth provides a stable thermal environment and allows the exterior of the telescope to reach a low temperature via radiative cooling.<br /><br />A one meter-diameter transmitting antenna fixed to the bottom of the spacecraft will be used twice each day to transmit 12 hours of stored science data to stations of NASA's Deep Space Network. In this manner, an adequate average data rate of 85 kb/s - corresponding to one image from SIRTF's largest array every 10 seconds - can be maintained over the lifetime of the mission.<br /><br />(source: Boeing, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Progress-M 48 (ISS 12P)<br /><br />Launched: 29 August 2003<br />Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />Launcher: Soyuz<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 339 km, perigee: 234 km: inclination: 51.6°<br />International Number: 2003-039A<br />Name: Progress-M 48 (ISS 12P)<br /><br />Progress-M 48 is a supply ship for the International Space Station. It carries 2,566 kg of equipment, food, water and fuel for the ISS.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />DSCS III B6<br /><br />Launched: 29 August 2003<br />Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida<br />Launcher: Delta 4<br />Orbit: GEO<br />International Number: 2003-040A<br />Name: DSCS III B6<br />Owner: US Air Force<br />Contractor: Lockheed Martin Space Systems<br /><br />DSCS III B6 is a US military communications satellite.<br /><br />The DSCS III B6 satellite is a super high-frequency (SHF) communications satellite that features Service Life Enhancement Program (SLEP) upgrades designed to provide improved uninterrupted secure voice and high data rate communications to its Department of Defense users. Additional SLEP upgrades on B6 will provide increased downlink power and improved connectivity to its antennas.<br /><br />Each DSCS III satellite has a design life of 10-years, although several of the thirteen DSCS satellites on-orbit today have far exceeded their design life expectancy and continue to perform with outstanding results. Last year, the first DSCS III satellite, A1, reached 20 years on orbit. DSCS III A1 was launched on October 30, 1982 aboard a Titan 34D launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral.<br /><br />(source: Boeing, Lockheed Martin Space Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Liberty Satellite to be Acquired by Liberty Media<br /><br />(27 August 2003) Liberty Satellite and Technology Inc has entered into a definitive merger agreement with its parent, Liberty Media Corporation, through which Liberty Media would acquire the approximately 13% of the issued and outstanding common shares of LSAT common stock not already owned by Liberty Media.<br /><br />If the agreement and plan of merger is consummated, each issued and outstanding common share of LSAT not owned by Liberty Media would be converted into the right to receive 0.2750 of a share of Liberty Media Series A common stock.<br /><br />The transaction was negotiated and approved by a committee of the Board of Directors of LSAT composed solely of independent directors. Morgan Stanley served as financial advisor to the committee of independent directors. Consummation of the merger is subject to the approval of the merger agreement by the shareholders of LSAT and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.<br /><br />(source: Liberty Satellite and Technology)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />GigaSat Introduces World's First 3.7 metre Flyaway Antenna System<br /><br />(26 August 2003) GigaSat Ltd will introduce the world's first 3.7 metre flyaway satellite newsgathering antenna system at the IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) 2003. The new FA370 3.7 metre antenna is a compact ultra high gain antenna which can be easily deployed by one person with no tools in less than 30 minutes.<br /><br />The FA-370 is ideal for any rapid deployment remote broadband communications requirement such as MCPC digital video, multiple SCPC transmission and broadband data. Major news stories, sporting events, emergency restoration and secure government/military communications are obvious applications.<br /><br />All major components of the antenna are made from state-of-the-art materials, including the multi segmented reflector, integrated 3 axis mount and flight case system which are all moulded from carbon fibre. The 3.7m diameter reflector can allow an uplink power previously unachievable from a true flyaway earth station. GigaSat's high precision manufacturing process ensures excellent surface accuracy on the dish and guarantees no deformation, even after being assembled hundreds of times. Full compliance with all satellite operator specifications is guaranteed.<br /><br />GigaSat understand the difficulties faced by operators in the field and this is reflected in the attention to detail found in the FA-370 antenna. Each FA-370 antenna has a four piece segmented feed arm which allows operation at C, X, Ku and DBS frequencies. Band changes are achieved simply by clipping the relevant feed cartridge into position. Vernier adjustments with clear scales are included for all three axis including fine and course adjustment for elevation and in common with all FA series antennas the FA-370 has a full 0 to 90 degree elevation capability. The FA-370 can be fully motorised, and when combined with the GigaSat STC-100 antenna controller it can automatically acquire and track, even inclined orbit satellites.<br /><br />The FA-370 system stows in only five lightweight flight cases and can easily be carried as excess baggage on commercial flights, weighing in at under 300 kg.<br /><br />(source: GigaSat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Kingston Opens Up the World's High Definition Hot Spots<br /><br />(26 August 2003) At IBC 2003, Kingston inmedia will be launching new High Definition (HD) satellite routes to many of the world's major HD hot spots across Asia, Australia and North America, as well as giving broadcasters the option of using HD SNG services.<br /><br />Kingston is opening up these markets to broadcasters who haven't yet embraced HD by providing routes to London, New York, Los Angeles, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Perth. In addition, the company can offer HD SNG services equipped with the very latest digital compression and encoding solutions for an end-to-end HD service.<br /><br />HDTV has already been successfully deployed in the US, Australia and Japan, where the main driver has been consumer demand for high quality pictures for sports, nature channels and film channels. Demand is particularly high in Asia, for example there are 7 channels in Japan broadcasting HD content 24 hours a day. Take up of HD is also accelerating in the USA. The country has 3 million HD TV sets and FCC regulations stipulate that all TVs sold after 1 July 2004 greater than 32" must be digital and therefore capable of receiving HD signals.<br /><br />(source: Kingston inmedia)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Maxwell Technologies Introduces Rad-Stak Packaging For Space Components<br /><br />(27 August 2003) Maxwell Technologies Inc has introduced Rad-Stak, the company's newest, and the industry's first radiation shielding technology to utilise stacked packaging to create fully space-qualified components. Rad-Stak stacked packaging technology is specialised for providing high-density memory, and is subject to full MIL-STD-883 qualification and characterisation.<br /><br />Maxwell's Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM) - the highest performance memory component available to the space market - uses Rad-Stak technology, making it the first component to be hermetic and completely radiation shielded in a vertically stacked package. In addition to being the first component designed with Rad-Stak packaging, Maxwell's SDRAM is the first space-qualified and radiation characterised memory component that is not repackaged plastic components, but rather packaged bare die.<br /><br />Rad-Stak is a completely shielded multi-level die package, created out of the evolution of Maxwell's Rad-Pak shielded packaging solution to vertical stacking. In this configuration, heat is effectively dissipated through the interconnects and the lid/heat sink of each layer. For greater flexibility of design, Maxwell offers Rad-Stak in both large and small, (132-pin and 68-pin) standard package outlines. The design also allows the packaging to be applicable in both multi-chip modules using identical die and true hybrids, and to be used across product lines.<br /><br />Among the benefits to the space community, Rad-Stak provides a high-density space-qualified SDRAM with flexible memory word-widths (e.g. x32, x40 or x48), and hybrid applications combining multiple functions - such as memory and EDAC. The vertical stacking provides both cost and weight savings, while offering a component with proven reliability and radiation shielding for commercial die.<br /><br />(source: Maxwell Technologies)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />People<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Orbital Names Leo Millstein Senior Vice President and General Counsel<br /><br />(26 August 2003) Orbital Sciences Corporation has announced that Mr Leo Millstein has been named Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Mr Millstein comes to Orbital with over 20 years of combined experience in the satellite industry at Intelsat and Comsat. In addition, Mr Millstein has served as a Partner at Dryer, Ellis, Joseph & Mills, a Washington, DC-based law firm and, most recently, as General Counsel of Merant plc, an international information technology company.<br /><br />In his role at Orbital, Mr Millstein will provide legal support to the company's executive management and the Board of Directors on major business issues, such as government contracting and regulatory compliance, corporate governance, litigation activities, SEC reporting, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. He will oversee a staff of three in-house attorneys in the company's legal department plus additional professional staff members involved in public relations, corporate communications, export control and related areas.<br /><br />Mr Millstein began his career in 1975 as Corporate Counsel at Comsat, a satellite communications company, where he handled general legal matters for 10 years. In 1985, he left Comsat to join Washington, DC-based Dryer, Ellis, Joseph & Mills as a Partner. In 1989, Mr. Millstein returned to the satellite industry for the next 11 years, joining Intelsat, an international satellite communications organization, as Deputy General Counsel. He later served Intelsat as Director of Corporate Restructuring. In 2000, Mr. Millstein joined Merant, plc as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, where he carried out responsibilities similar to those that he will oversee at Orbital.<br /><br />Mr Millstein holds a BS degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University and earned his law degree from George Washington University.<br /><br />(source: Orbital Sciences)<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
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