Microcom's Space Newsfeed 7 September 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 />Globecomm Systems Selects SkyStream’s Mediaplex 20 to Distribute Video and Data Services<br />NewsLink Portable Terminal Meets Rigorous Demands of Alaska's Largest TV Station<br />NightHawk Systems Announces Agreement with Orbcomm<br />TIME and SpeedCast to Deliver Satellite Based Solutions<br />Valero Selects Spacenet for Broadband Satellite Network<br /><br />Navigation:<br />Lockheed Martin Selects Raytheon, ITT, and General Dynamics as Key GPS III Partners<br />Merrimac Receives GPS Satellite Contract From Boeing Estimated to Reach US$ 4.4 Million<br /><br />Military Space:<br />Northrop Grumman Opens Facility for Production of Phased Array Antennas<br /><br />Technology:<br />REMEC to Develop Tx/Rx MMIC for L Band Space Based Radar<br /><br />Launch Services:<br />ILS Proton to Launch Measat-3<br />NASA Selects Commercial Space Ride For Technology Experiment<br /><br />Business:<br />Integral Systems Starts Antenna Division<br />iSECUREtrac Closes Acquisition of Tracking Systems<br />New Skies Successfully Completes Share Buy Back Program<br /><br />Products and Services:<br />Kingston Adds 'Red Button' Services to End-to-End Channel Offering<br />ViaSat Immeon Satellite Network Services Now Offers Shared Hub or Managed Network Services<br /><br />People:<br />Gilat Appoints Avihu Bergman as Executive Vice President for Sales<br />John M Grunsfeld Succeeds Shannon Lucid As NASA Chief Scientist<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 />Globecomm Systems Selects SkyStream’s Mediaplex 20 to Distribute Video and Data Services<br /><br />(3 September 2003) Globecomm Systems Inc has selected SkyStream’s Mediaplex Video Services Platform to offer new video and data satellite services more quickly and cost-effectively by improving its overall bandwidth management and performance at lower costs.<br /><br />With Mediaplex in its network, Globecomm will enter the international video and data delivery “backhaul” business as part of its SkyBorne Network Service, delivering large numbers of video channels and IP data to the Middle East and Africa without incurring the high cost of multi-vendor solutions and the associated installation, operation and maintenance costs. Deployed by several internationally-known satellite service providers today, Mediaplex is a complete video and data networking system that simplifies the roll-out and management of video, audio and data services and lowers the equipment capital expenditure cost about 40 percent.<br /><br />SkyStream’s Mediaplex, first introduced in May 2002, has gained major momentum among service providers including satellite operators, telecommunications providers and cable operators. The chassis-based platform built from the ground up by SkyStream leverages the company’s seven-year video heritage in building patented video networking solutions for global and US-based satellite service providers such as Belgacom, BT Broadcast Services, EchoStar Communications (DISH Network), GlobeCast, and New Skies Satellite. Mediaplex features key requirements for satellite service providers, including encoding, multiplexing, de-multiplexing, video (MPEG program) switching and IP encapsulation. Mediaplex accomplishes this by providing the highest performance and scalability in the industry through its multi-gigabit backplane, which surpasses the capacity of existing solutions.<br /><br />(source: SkyStream Networks)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NewsLink Portable Terminal Meets Rigorous Demands of Alaska's Largest TV Station<br /><br />(2 September 2003) KTUU, Alaska's largest TV station and Anchorage's NBC affiliate, has purchased a Norsat NewsLink portable satellite terminal. With this purchase, KTUU effectively ends a three-year search to find satellite technology that could be used to gather news in Alaska's most rugged and remote locations.<br /><br />Trent McNelly, KTUU's Operations Manager, investigated several satellite newsgathering technologies in recent years but each alternative failed to meet the station's rigorous demands. After seeing the Norsat NewsLink portable satellite terminals at the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) 2003 conference in April, McNelly requested that the equipment be tested in Alaska. Norsat NewsLink technicians travelled to the US state in July 2003 and successfully tested the NewsLink satellite terminals in several locations including remote areas close to the Arctic Circle.<br /><br />The Norsat NewsLink portable satellite terminal will be used by KTUU to cover breaking and local news, and events like the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.<br /><br />Simple to use and innovative, the Norsat NewsLink is among the most capable and feature-rich systems for its size in the industry.<br /><br />The latest Norsat NewsLink includes features that make the system dramatically simpler than traditional SNG solutions. The NewsLink incorporates unique and easy to use proprietary software with a new portable sunlight readable LCD screen and sealed keyboard that provides rich functionality such as a built-in dual-trace spectrum analyser, carrier beacon detector, antenna alignment wizard, transmitter control, and alarming and diagnostic tools. The new features include the PocketPC spectrum analyser, which displays the received spectrum from the satellite dish on a hand-held PDA (personal digital assistant) allowing easy antenna alignment and peaking.<br /><br />(source: Norsat International)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NightHawk Systems Announces Agreement with Orbcomm<br /><br />(4 September 2003) NightHawk Systems Inc, a manufacturer of advanced wireless remote control products, has entered into an agreement with Orbcomm for satellite service to support NightHawk remote control products.<br /><br />NightHawk Systems Inc designs and manufactures easy to use ‘plug and play’ remote control products allowing its customers to remotely control electrical devices from anywhere in the world. Orbcomm provides reliable, cost effective data communications services to customers around the world through its satellite network and terrestrial infrastructure.<br /><br />This new relationship will allow NightHawk to provide wireless remote control products that can be deployed by customers, anywhere, world-wide. They can now be easily accessed via a simple web-based screen that allows for use by non-technical personnel. The products will ship pre-programmed and will be fully functional immediately upon installation. The Orbcomm network allows for two-way communication that enables monitoring, control and feedback using NightHawk products. The Company believes there are immediate applications in markets that it already serves including electric utilities, traffic control, commercial lighting and irrigation.<br /><br />(source: Nighthawk Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />TIME and SpeedCast to Deliver Satellite Based Solutions<br /><br />(4 September 2003) TIME dotCom Berhad (TIME) and SpeedCast (HK) Limited, a leading satellite broadband and multimedia services provider in Asia, are collaborating to offer high quality multi-functional satellite based solutions to both the local and international markets in September 2003.<br /><br />This collaboration offers a comprehensive suite of satellite based solutions for reliable satellite connectivity over wide geographical regions and to the most remote of locations. The inherent benefit of satellite services, being geographically independent, assures almost instant nation-wide coverage with a bandwidth advantage that provides "pipes" to be efficiently shared for the transmission of voice, video and data, between several remote sites.<br /><br />Established in 1998, SpeedCast delivers a unique mix of content and connectivity solutions to assist local partners in expanding the reach of broadband services in over 25 countries in the Asia Pacific. Focusing on providing a comprehensive and technically advanced array of broadband satellite services including broadband access, content syndication and content distribution network (CDN) services, SpeedCast will be using the AsiaSat-2 satellite (C band) to provide satellite broadband services to TIME.<br /><br />(source: Time dotCom Berhad)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Valero Selects Spacenet for Broadband Satellite Network<br /><br />(3 September 2003) Spacenet Inc has been selected by Valero Energy Corporation to make available a broadband satellite communications network to its chain of 4,000 retail and wholesale outlets in the US and Canada for support of rapid credit authorisation and other interactive data applications.<br /><br />With annual revenues of more than US$ 30 billion, Valero is the USA’s largest independent refining and marketing company, operating under brand names that include Diamond Shamrock, Ultramar, Valero, Beacon, and Shamrock. As part of its corporate initiative to grow its branded wholesale distribution, Valero has developed a comprehensive campaign to maximise the value it brings to its retailers. Persistent broadband connectivity is an important aspect of this campaign, as it enables improved customer service through speedier credit and ATM transactions and increased efficiency of store operations through support of new business applications.<br /><br />To address this important initiative, Valero has established a multi-year contract with Spacenet for provision of its Connexstar broadband VSAT service. The Connexstar service will be used to support both Valero’s wholesale and retail business requirements. In addition to supporting both serial and IP credit and ATM applications, the Connexstar network will also be used to support ATM transactions, nightly polling and a variety of other business applications including Internet and Intranet access.<br /><br />(source: Gilat Satellite Networks)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Navigation<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Lockheed Martin Selects Raytheon, ITT, and General Dynamics as Key GPS III Partners<br /><br />(3 September 2003) Lockheed Martin has announced that Raytheon, ITT, and General Dynamics have joined its team to develop the US Air Force's next generation Global Positioning Satellite system, GPS III. Lockheed Martin had previously announced Spectrum Astro as a key partner on the program.<br /><br />The Lockheed Martin-led team is currently preparing for the GPS III Phase A competition.<br /><br />GPS III will address the challenging military transformational and civil needs across the globe, including advanced anti-jam capabilities, improved system security and accuracy, and reliability. The new satellite system will enhance space-based navigation and performance and set a new world standard for positioning and timing services. The team selected to meet this challenge will provide system and sustaining engineering, satellite development and production, Control Segment upgrades, and continuous research and development for this evolutionary system.<br /><br />For the Lockheed Martin-designed GPS III system, ITT will bring their experience in navigation payloads.<br /><br />Raytheon's role on the Lockheed Martin team encompasses multiple elements of the GPS III Control Segment.<br /><br />General Dynamics' role in GPS III will be to provide the communications payload, as well as modelling and simulation and systems security engineering support.<br /><br />(source: Lockheed Martin)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Merrimac Receives GPS Satellite Contract From Boeing Estimated to Reach US$ 4.4 Million<br /><br />(3 September 2003) Merrimac Industries Inc has been awarded a contract that is estimated to reach US$ 4.4 million from The Boeing Company Integrated Defense Systems, Seal Beach, California, for Beamforming Networks, and RF/ Microwave signal processing components which are utilised on Boeing's GPS (Global Positioning System) IIF Satellites.<br /><br />Under a contract awarded by the US Air Force, Boeing is currently building the first three GPS IIF satellites, with a potential total of up to 12 satellites. Designed for flexibility and growth, the IIF satellites will provide new capabilities, including improved anti-jam, increased accuracy, higher integrity and critical secure Operational Military codes.<br /><br />Merrimac received a US$ 663,000 order for Beamforming Networks and RF Microwave signal processing components which are to be installed on Space Vehicles 2 and 3. Additionally, Merrimac and Boeing have negotiated a contract with additional options, in support of the build and delivery of hardware for Space Vehicles 4 through 12. If all anticipated options are exercised, the contract value is estimated to be US$ 4.4 million.<br /><br />(source: Merrimac Industries)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Military Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Northrop Grumman Opens Facility for Production of Phased Array Antennas<br /><br />(4 September 2003) Northrop Grumman Corporation, which is developing the satellite communications payloads for the Department of Defense's Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) program, has opened a multimillion-dollar facility to produce phased array antennas for the satellites.<br /><br />Phased arrays direct radio frequency beams electronically rather than by moving reflectors mechanically. These steered, "agile" beams will significantly increase the coverage areas and permit the Advanced EHF system to deliver faster, highly secure communications to military users moving rapidly through the battlefield.<br /><br />The Advanced EHF system, with its use of EHF agile beams and nulling antennas that counter enemy jamming attempts, will deliver secure, high-speed voice and data communications to forces world-wide. Advanced EHF satellites and terminals will be backwardly compatible with those of the Milstar system, the existing highly secure system now in orbit. Advanced EHF satellites will provide 10 times greater total capacity and offer channel data rates six times higher than that of Milstar II communications satellites.<br /><br />Northrop Grumman will deliver the Advanced EHF payloads to the system prime contractor, Lockheed Martin Space Systems. Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to provide the first two Advanced EHF satellites and command control system.<br /><br />Cost and labour-saving features designed into the phased array facility include:<br /><br />* Implementation of Six Sigma project team results for assembly processes,<br /> including paperless work orders, and test/verification processes<br />* Common assembly and test fixtures that provide efficient processing of<br /> the units through assembly steps and into test chambers<br />* The ability to conduct both unit-level (the antenna by itself) and<br /> system-level (simulated on-orbit performance) tests in adjacent<br /> near-field and compact test ranges<br />* Fast receivers in the near-field ranges that enable single-scan<br /> measurements of multiple parameters, such as multiple beams operating<br /> at multiple frequencies<br /><br />The MILSATCOM Program Office, located at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, is the contract manager and lead agency for the Advanced EHF program. The first Advanced EHF satellite is scheduled to launch in 2006.<br /><br />(source: Northrop Grumman)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Technology<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />REMEC to Develop Tx/Rx MMIC for L Band Space Based Radar<br /><br />(3 September 2003) The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Aerospace Components and Subsystems Concepts Division, Air Force Material Command, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio has selected REMEC's MMIC group to develop and test Transmit/Receive (T/R) Microwave Monolithic Integrated Circuits (MMIC) for potential use in future L band space based phase array radars.<br /><br />Under the terms of the current design evaluation contract, REMEC will complete the investigative study phase then, as part of the latest contract award, apply these innovative MMIC design concepts to produce a fully integrated T/R MMIC.<br /><br />(source: Remec)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launch Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ILS Proton to Launch Measat-3<br /><br />(4 September 2003) International Launch Services (ILS) has announced a contract with Binariang Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. to launch the Measat-3 satellite in 2005. Financial details were not disclosed.<br /><br />The mission will use the Russian-built Proton rocket with a Breeze M upper stage to place the satellite at 91.5° East to serve Malaysia, Southeast and Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Australia.<br /><br />ILS is a US-Russian joint venture that markets and manages the commercial launch missions for the Proton vehicle, built by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, as well as for the American Atlas rocket, built by Lockheed Martin Corp.<br /><br />Measat-3 is a Boeing 601 model, similar to nine satellites for other operators that have flown on Proton. Binariang is the sole licensed commercial satellite operator in Malaysia. The company pioneered the development of high-powered Ku band direct-to-home services into Southeast Asia in 1996. The current Measat-1 and -2 satellites provide C band and Ku band connectivity spanning India, Asia and Australia, as well as Hawaii in the United States.<br /><br />The Proton launch services contract was signed with Lockheed-Khrunichev-Energia International and Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, the contracting affiliates within ILS for commercial Proton and Atlas launches.<br /><br />(source: International Launch Services)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NASA Selects Commercial Space Ride For Technology Experiment<br /><br />(4 September 2003) NASA has awarded a contract to Team Encounter, LLC for a unique space science mission. NASA will send the agency's first space science technology demonstration experiment into space aboard a commercial mission managed by a private company.<br /><br />Based in Houston, Team Encounter will fly NASA's Inertial Stellar Compass (ISC) Technology Experiment on the company's mission to test solar sail technology in space. Team Encounter will mount NASA's hardware on their spacecraft, integrate and test the system before launch. After launch in the 2004/2005 timeframe, NASA will receive about 30 days of data from the ISC experiment from Team Encounter. The total value of the award is approximately US$ 6.5 million.<br /><br />The innovative stellar inertial attitude determination system, designed and built by Charles Stark Draper Laboratory is one of two technologies selected as part of NASA's New Millennium Program technology experiment known as Space Technology-6 (ST-6).<br /><br />The ISC is representative of the next generation of highly integrated low power, low mass spacecraft avionics required for many of NASA's future space and Earth science missions. In typical spacecraft systems, gyroscopes and star cameras separately monitor and control the flight of the spacecraft in space. The ISC combines an advanced active pixel sensor star camera with micro-electromechanical system gyros in a small, low mass, low power unit. The mass, power and space savings translates into the ability to build smaller, lighter spacecraft, which would need smaller, less costly, launch vehicles.<br /><br />The New Millennium Program was created in 1994 to identify, develop and flight-validate advanced technologies that can lower costs and enable critical performance of science missions in the 21st century.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Integral Systems Starts Antenna Division<br /><br />(2 September 2003) Integral Systems Inc has signed an agreement to acquire the intellectual property rights, inventory and certain other assets of the former Jackson and Tull Satellite Ground Systems division. Integral Systems has also hired the division's key personnel and is continuing operations in the Moncks Corner, South Carolina facility. The group will operate as the Antenna Systems Division of Integral Systems.<br /><br />The new Antenna Systems Division is a "turn-key" provider of full motion antennas and RF systems used for tracking low earth orbiting satellites and launch vehicles as well as aeronautical telemetry range operations.<br /><br />The Antenna Division assets became available as a result of Jackson and Tull corporate restructuring.<br /><br />(source: Integral Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />iSECUREtrac Closes Acquisition of Tracking Systems<br /><br />(4 September 2003) iSECUREtrac Corp, an industry leader in the development of global positioning systems (GPS) for tracking and monitoring, has closed the acquisition of Tracking Systems Corporation, based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.<br /><br />The share exchange agreement called for the acquisition of all outstanding shares of Tracking Systems stock along with the assumption of outstanding debt. The Board of Directors of both companies approved the transaction as well as the shareholders of Tracking Systems Corporation.<br /><br />iSECUREtrac Corp is an information services and technology company providing advanced solutions for the mobile tracking of individuals. iSECUREtrac's products are designed to improve security, enhance overall management information, and provide faster analysis and response for targeted government and commercial applications.<br /><br />(source: iSECUREtrac)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />New Skies Successfully Completes Share Buy Back Program<br /><br />(3 September 2003) New Skies Satellites NV has successfully completed its share repurchase program, acquiring a total of 13,057,024 ordinary shares at a total cost of approximately US$ 54.0 million, reflecting an average price of US$ 4.14.<br /><br />New Skies will cancel the repurchased shares currently held as treasury stock.<br /><br />Approximately 93 percent of the repurchased shares came from New Skies' original shareholder base, including the stakes of Deutsche Telekom, KDDI Corporation, SingTel Optus, Singapore Telecom and Teleglobe.<br /><br />(source: New Skies Satellites)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Kingston Adds 'Red Button' Services to End-to-End Channel Offering<br /><br />(4 September 2003) Kingston inmedia is making simple, low cost interactive services accessible to channel operators on the Sky Digital platform. Red button interactivity complements Kingston's Participation TV services which are also being launched at IBC 2003, broadening the choice of interactive platforms available to channel operators with channels on Sky Digital and lowering the cost of service implementation.<br /><br />Viewers increasingly expect interactive services that will enhance and personalise their experience, such as sports programming, gambling and reality TV where armchair viewer voting is becoming more popular, as is being able to see alternative sports commentary, interviews and games at the touch of a button.<br /><br />By utilising a MediaSphere iTV transmission server, Kingston can deliver data files, enhancements, objects and digital teletext through a DVB multiplex to digital TV receivers and set-top boxes. The MediaSphere server is connected to application providers via a leased line or a VPN and is co-located with Kingston's uplink, avoiding expensive wide-bandwidth data circuits. By integrating this technology with Kingston's co-located playout centre, complex channels can be constructed easily with enhanced and interactive TV formats.<br /><br />(source: Kingston inmedia)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />ViaSat Immeon Satellite Network Services Now Offers Shared Hub or Managed Network Services<br /><br />(2 September 2003) Immeon, the satellite services business operated by ViaSat Inc, is offering a wider range of networking services for customers who don't want to operate their own networks. In addition to its bandwidth-on-demand connections and Access shared-hub services, Immeon has grown to include managed network services for private customer networks. ViaSat provides Immeon services from its network operations and customer service centre in Carlsbad with a service area that includes the United States plus portions of Canada and the Caribbean.<br /><br />Customers are using Immeon high-speed data and voice services for mission-critical applications, such as retail operations, business continuity, disaster recovery, network capacity augmentation, connections to remote or temporary locations, and satellite newsgathering. With Immeon services, there is no need to maintain dedicated satellite circuits, but instead users can pay for broadband as needed, based on monthly usage and data rate requirements. Or customers can choose a plan that gives them always-on connections. With satellite's wide area coverage, cost is independent of the length of the connection and virtually any location in North America is within reach.<br /><br />ViaSat offers two types of Immeon service:<br /><br />* Managed network services where Immeon monitors and controls a private,<br /> customer-owned satellite network.<br />* Virtual private network service from the Immeon-owned, shared VSAT hub.<br /> All customers need to do is purchase terminals and they can quickly<br /> connect their locations into the high-speed network. These services<br /> can connect locations either directly (peer-to-peer) or tie all remote<br /> locations into the Immeon hub for access to the Internet, a corporate<br /> LAN, or data centres.<br /><br />Immeon network operations maintains the hub equipment and performs all network management and configuration. The Immeon staff is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week to commission new customer sites and ensure network availability.<br /><br />(source: ViaSat)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />People<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Gilat Appoints Avihu Bergman as Executive Vice President for Sales<br /><br />(1 September 2003) Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd has announced the appointment of Avihu Bergman as the Company’s Executive Vice President for Sales. Bergman will be directly responsible for sales in Africa, Asia and Europe as well as world-wide co-ordination of the Company’s sales efforts including North and Latin America.<br /><br />Avihu Bergman joins Gilat with more than 20 years of sales and marketing management experience in the hi-tech field. He most recently served as Vice President at Ascend Technology Ventures. Prior to this position, Bergman held senior executive positions at ECI Telecom , Teledata (now ADC) , ArelNet and VocalTec.<br /><br />Bergman holds a Masters degree in Business Administration and a Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering both from Tel Aviv University.<br /><br />(source: Gilat Satellite Networks)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />John M Grunsfeld Succeeds Shannon Lucid As NASA Chief Scientist<br /><br />(3 September 2003) NASA's Administrator Sean O'Keefe has announced the selection of veteran astronaut, astronomer, and astrophysicist Dr John M Grunsfeld as the agency's new Chief Scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. He succeeds Dr Shannon Lucid, effective immediately.<br /><br />Grunsfeld, who played an integral role in two Space Shuttle servicing missions to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), has studied astronomy and physics throughout his career. As NASA's Chief Scientist, he'll work to ensure the scientific merit of the agency's programs.<br /><br />A native of Chicago, Grunsfeld received a bachelor's degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980. He earned a masters degree and a doctorate in physics from the University of Chicago in 1984 and 1988, respectively.<br /><br />After serving nearly two years in Washington, Shannon Lucid will return to the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston to assist the agency's Return to Flight efforts.<br /><br />She was selected as Chief Scientist in February 2002. During her tenure, one of Lucid's most important tasks was to work with the offices of Biological and Physical Research, Earth Science, Space Science, and Space Flight to develop a comprehensive plan for prioritisation of research on board the International Space Station.<br /><br />Lucid also updated NASA's science policy, which had not been done since 1996. The policy stipulates science grants will be peer reviewed, and NASA scientists must compete for research funding.<br /><br />(source: NASA)<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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