Microcom's Space Newsfeed 14 December 2003<br />Space Industry News from Around the World<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />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 space bookshop http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk<br /><br />Jobs in Space: space industry recruitment http://www.space-jobs.co.uk<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Advertise on Microcom's websites and reach over 25,000 space and satellite industry professionals each month. http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/ratecard.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />New from Microcom - commercial web hosting, website design and implementation, website management and maintenance, DomainSafe: safeguarding unwanted domain names<br /><br />For more information: http://www.microcomsystems.co.uk/microcom/webservices.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Contents<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms:<br />Bringing Satellite Radio to Canadians<br />Broadcom's Single-Chip Multi-TV Set-Top Box Solutions Selected by EchoStar<br />HNS Expands Satellite Network For West African Bank<br />Satlynx Enables TiscaliSat to Roll Out in 10 European Countries<br />Telkom Kenya Selects DirecWay to Launch New Broadband Services<br />Tenzing and ARINC Partner for Email to Airlines<br />WorldSpace Bids on US$ 98 Million Deal to Rebuild Iraqi Media Network<br /><br />Military Space:<br />Harris Awarded Production Contract For MIDS LVT Digital Tactical Comms<br /><br />Science:<br />Rockwell Scientific to Provide IR Sensors for Space Telescope's NIRCam Instrument<br /><br />Launch Services:<br />New NRO Mission to Fly on ILS/Lockheed Martin Atlas V<br />SpaceDev Tests Rocket Motor for SpaceShipOne<br /><br />Launches:<br />Gruzomaket<br />Uragan<br /><br />Business:<br />DirecTV Latin America Files Reorganisation Plan<br />Thermo Capital Partners Completes Agreement to Acquire Globalstar<br /><br />Products and Services:<br />NightHawk Systems Introduces Satellite-Based Remote Control Product<br />QinetiQ Helps Protect Aircraft from Space Weather<br />SkyWay USA Launches 'Open Standard' Broadband Service Offering<br />Stratos Launches New StratosITek IP VSAT Service for Broadband Connectivity<br />Telenor Satellite Services Introduces New Direct Dialling<br /><br />People:<br />Jean Réveillon Appointed Secretary General of EBU<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 />Space Bookshop - books for space professionals.<br />http://www.satelliteonthenet.co.uk/bookshop.html<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satcoms<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Bringing Satellite Radio to Canadians<br /><br />(10 December 2003) CBC/Radio-Canada, Canada's national public broadcaster, and Sirius have announced that they will form a joint venture to bring satellite radio to Canada. The venture will soon file an application with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for a license to provide satellite radio in Canada.<br /><br />This new, subscription-based, national service will give Canadians access to a wide range of programming and Canadian content. CBC/Radio-Canada was able to secure the distribution of two of its main channels, namely Radio One and La Premiere Chaine. As a result of CBC/Radio-Canada's involvement, the new venture will also provide significant opportunities for existing and emerging Canadian artists to showcase their talent and be heard not only across Canada, but throughout North America as well.<br /><br />The CBC/Radio-Canada and SIRIUS venture will ensure that Canadians have the greatest possible access to a wide array of commercial-free music, information and entertainment services, as well as their national public broadcaster. When licensed by the CRTC, this new subscription-based service will be available to Canadians across the entire country, from urban centres to even the most remote regions.<br /><br />Sirius and CBC/Radio-Canada are holding talks with, and may add, other Canadian financial or broadcasting investors to the venture.<br /><br />(source: Sirius)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Broadcom's Single-Chip Multi-TV Set-Top Box Solutions Selected by EchoStar<br /><br />(8 December 2003) EchoStar Communications Corp is using a combination of Broadcom chips in its new DISH Network DISH 322 and Dish Player-DVR 522 satellite set-top boxes. The greatest advantage Broadcom's chips offer EchoStar is the ability, for the first time, to support multiple TVs with a single set-top box, which lowers the overall cost of supporting DBS service in households with multiple televisions.<br /><br />The DISH 322 uses the BCM7319, a satellite set-top box decoder that integrates the equivalent functionality of two separate set-top boxes into a single chip. With this advanced capability, the DISH 322 can deliver DBS programming to multiple televisions in different areas of a home. Each television is independently supported, allowing multiple viewers complete flexibility to watch their own choice of programming simultaneously.<br /><br />Building on this integration, the Broadcom BCM7320 decoder chip provides multi-television or PIP support as well as digital video recording (DVR) capability in the Dish Player-DVR 522. The BCM7320 enables the DVR 522 to support independent DVR television viewing in separate rooms of the home simultaneously. In a single television environment, the BCM7320 enables the DVR 522 to allow the consumer to view two separate programs with PIP capability or, alternatively, to support watch-and-record DVR capability with common DVR functions such as pausing live programming, recording, and forwarding and reversing through recorded programs.<br /><br />EchoStar's DISH 322 and Dish Player-DVR 522 also incorporate Broadcom's BCM4500 Advanced Modulation Satellite Receiver and BCM3440 Digital Satellite Tuner. The BCM4500 receiver chip offers EchoStar 8PSK advanced modulation and turbo coding technology that increases information throughput by 35 percent in a given bandwidth or radio frequency link with no additional power requirements. The BCM3440 is a CMOS-based direct conversion satellite tuner chip specifically designed to support systems based on the BCM4500. The BCM7319 and BCM7320 both interface directly to the BCM4500 and BCM3440.<br /><br />The BCM7320 is a highly integrated single-chip satellite set-top box decoder that incorporates dual QPSK receivers, an MPEG-2 A/V decoder, MIPS64(TM) CPU and peripherals. It is the first complete DBS set-top box solution to decode two transport streams, delivered either via the external dual BCM3440 CMOS tuners or via the IDE host I/F from an external hard disk drive, or any combination thereof, and display the resulting decoded audio and video on two TV monitors connected to the same set-top box. The Broadcom 2-D graphics engine incorporated into the chip offers true studio-quality text and graphics with extremely efficient use of memory and bandwidth. PVR capability in the chip offers personal viewing and scheduling, video-on-demand (VOD), and VCR "trick mode" effects on both TVs simultaneously.<br /><br />With the exception of PVR capability and the on-board QPSK demodulators, the BCM7319 offers the same functionality as the BCM7320. Broadcom has developed and delivers device drivers that support industry-standard operating systems, enabling rapid software development for system designs for satellite customers.<br /><br />The BCM7319 and BCM7320 are currently in full production. The chips are each packaged in a 456-pin PBGA and are priced at US$ 50 and US$ 60, respectively, in 10K quantities.<br /><br />(source: Broadcom)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />HNS Expands Satellite Network For West African Bank<br /><br />(10 December 2003) Hughes Network Systems Inc (HNS) has the announced the expansion of the current HNS-supplied network for a West African regional banking institution, Ecobank Transnational Inc (Ecobank). The current PES satellite network has been expanded to include DirecWay broadband satellite solutions, providing Ecobank with a complete broadband IP network.<br /><br />Since 1988, Ecobank has worked across West Africa with governments, municipalities, multinationals, international organisations and the private sector to develop a regional banking structure for communities in Benin, Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. Now that Ecobank is operating in twelve West and Central African nations, expanding the network's capabilities to include DirecWay broadband applications and services was a natural progression for the company.<br /><br />Ecobank is leveraging the expanded DirecWay network to provide their branches with Internet and intranet access, IP multicasting, and MPEG video over IP, allowing Ecobank to improve its customer service offerings and increase business efficiency.<br /><br />In addition to Ecobank, HNS provides satellite network solutions to many other banking and financial institutions in Africa and worldwide. Financial industry clients include Banque Centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, Banco do Brasil, ABSA Bank of South Africa, Caxia Economica Federal, and American General Finance.<br /><br />(source: Hughes Network Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Satlynx Enables TiscaliSat to Roll Out in 10 European Countries<br /><br />(8 December 2003) Satlynx customer Tiscali has expanded its interactive high-speed Internet service via satellite to Finland and Slovakia. With this extension, the Tiscali two-way satellite service is now available in 10 European countries.<br /><br />Companies and residential end-users in suburban and rural areas, located beyond the reach of DSL, can now get a two-way broadband satellite connection to the Internet, with download speeds up to 500 kb/s.<br /><br />Tiscali provides two-way satellite broadband connectivity services to consumers, SoHo (Small Office & Home Office) and SME (Small & Medium Enterprises) throughout most of Europe, as part of its Internet access portfolio. Tiscali's two-way satellite Internet service, TiscaliSat, allows customers to enjoy fast and easy upload and download of rich media, audio and video content, while being always on line.<br /><br />The service in Finland will be provided through Tiscali Finland, while the service in Slovakia will be handled through a local distributor managed out of Tiscali Czech.<br /><br />TiscaliSat is available in: Norway, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, UK, Czech Republic, Finland and Slovakia. The service is targeted at small and medium enterprises, which are out of ADSL reach.<br /><br />(source: Satlynx)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Telkom Kenya Selects DirecWay to Launch New Broadband Services<br /><br />(10 December 2003) Telkom Kenya Limited (TKL), the national Kenyan telephone network provider, has purchased a Hughes Network Systems' DirecWay broadband satellite network, including a hub earth station and associated remote satellite terminals.<br /><br />The new Ku band hub is located in Nairobi and is capable of providing affordable broadband services across all of Kenya, a key component of TKL's expanded service, which was launched in July.<br /><br />Telkom Kenya Ltd operates the national telephone network in Kenya, which was formerly KPTC. Telkom Kenya has four subsidiaries: Safaricom, which operates a cellular phone network (in partnership with Vodafone Airtouch with 40 percent shares), Gilgil Telecommunication Industries, manufacturers of telecommunication and postal products (telephone handsets, PABX systems etc), Kenya Postel Directories Ltd (publishes the yearly telephone directory), and Kenya College of Telecommunications Technology, which offers training to the communications sector. Telkom Kenya also offers a satellite-based communication service utilising very small aperture terminals (VSATs), Kensat, and operates Jambonet, which links local Internet service providers to the rest of the world. Other facilities include a digital leased line service, Kenstream, and an analogue packet switching service, Kenpac.<br /><br />(source: Hughes Network Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Tenzing and ARINC Partner for Email to Airlines<br /><br />(10 December 2003) Tenzing Communications and ARINC Incorporated have announced an agreement making it easier for airlines to equip their fleets with in-flight email connectivity and give passengers immediate access to their email, both during flight and on the ground.<br /><br />Airlines that want to enable their aircraft for email can do so by installing Tenzing's software onto their existing onboard LAN infrastructures. ARINC performs the Internet Service Provider (ISP) role for passengers, integrating with the Tenzing application and managing the billing, customer care, and assignment of email accounts where needed. This provides airlines with an end-to-end solution for in-flight email services to passengers. ARINC's ISP capability is provided by ARINC's partner Airpath Wireless Inc. The companies recently formed Opti-Fi Networks Ltd to deliver public and private wireless LAN services to airports.<br /><br />Passengers travelling on aircraft equipped with Tenzing software with ARINC as the preferred ISP partner will have two ways to access their email in flight:<br /><br />(1) those who are members of one of Tenzing's other partner ISPs can simply use their existing username and password to connect, or (2) they can set up an account in flight by subscribing to ARINC's in-flight ISP services.<br /><br />In addition to performing billing and customer care, ARINC will provide passengers with a free e-mail account, as well as a username and password, which not only provides access in flight but also once the passenger is on the ground.<br /><br />The ARINC ISP solution is available to airlines regardless of their choice of air-to-ground service provider, making it easy for airlines to provide their passengers with the freedom of mobile e-mail connectivity.<br /><br />(source: Tenzing Communications)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />WorldSpace Bids on US$ 98 Million Deal to Rebuild Iraqi Media Network<br /><br />(11 December 2003) WorldSpace Corporation's Government Sales Unit has submitted a proposal in partnership with nine other companies and institutions to rebuild Iraq's news media institutions. The Iraqi Media Network operates the country's national television and FM radio networks and Al-Sabbah newspaper.<br /><br />WorldSpace is leading a team of companies with specialised experiences and a track record of success in rebuilding journalism communications in countries formerly under totalitarian regimes. With 40+ years of related expertise and US$ 4.5 billion of combined DoD contracts, partnering companies include TFS Group; The Rendon Group; East-West News Service; Oracle Surveillance (security); and Harris Corporation, Broadcast Communication Division.<br /><br />Scheduled to begin January 1, 2004, the US$ 98 million, one-year Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) contract to reconstruct the Iraqi Media Network also has two six-month extension options. The main objective of the contract is to ensure the Iraqi network is brought up to professional standards in media. This will include the refurbishment and repair of infrastructure, the provision of programming, the expansion of the national newspaper network and the training of a local workforce. The final component is to develop an exit strategy by privatising the media network and turning the control back to the Iraqi nation of over 24 million people.<br /><br />In addition to fulfilling the requirements for a prime government contractor, WorldSpace also has satellite assets which currently broadcast information, news and entertainment to portable receivers in Iraq. With dozens of channels in 15 different languages, WorldSpace's radio service has been broadcasting into Iraq and the Middle East since 1999. Further leveraging the advantages of satellite technology, WorldSpace will be able to datacast content across Iraq to strengthen and build the news services, including Al-Sabbah, the country's largest daily newspaper which has a circulation of 60,000 and only one working printing press. The second printing press was bombed.<br /><br />(source: WorldSpace)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Military Space<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Harris Awarded Production Contract For MIDS LVT Digital Tactical Comms<br /><br />(8 December 2003) Harris Corporation has received a two-year, US$ 24 million follow-on contract from ViaSat Inc, for Lot 4 production of Multi-functional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminals (LVTs). The MIDS LVTs will provide US military forces with secure, jam-resistant, voice and data transmission capabilities based on the Link-16 protocol for digital tactical communications. The follow-on contract contains a US$ 9.6 million option that could bring the overall MIDS program value for Harris to more than US$ 66 million by 2006.<br /><br />The ViaSat/Harris team is under contract to the US Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) for full-rate production of LVT 1 terminals, which will be installed in military aircraft such as the US Navy F/A-18 and the Air Force F-16. The LVT 2 terminals, which are designed for ground-based applications in shelters, vehicles and weapon systems such as the Patriot, are also part of Lot 4. Harris is providing an enhanced voice card, power supply assemblies, processor modules, and the chassis for each of the terminals, as well as comprehensive environmental testing of the assemblies.<br /><br />Most US Air Force and NATO fighter aircraft today have only voice or limited data communications capabilities that can connect only selected aircraft to each other. MIDS will provide interoperable data communications that link fighter aircraft to airborne controllers, surveillance radars, collection assets, and ground-based command and control nodes. The MIDS LVT's Link-16 protocol will provide combat aircraft with integrated information from the battlefield. It also will provide the capability to transmit threat and targeting data to US combat aircraft in near real-time. All US-allied nations are strong potential customers for the MIDS application.<br /><br />(source: Harris Corporation)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Science<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Rockwell Scientific to Provide IR Sensors for Space Telescope's NIRCam Instrument<br /><br />(8 December 2003) Under a major award from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the University of Arizona announced that it has selected Rockwell Scientific Company, LLC (RSC) to provide the infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs) for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam).<br /><br />JWST, a part of NASA's Origins Program, will detect the first light-emitting objects from the Universe after the Big Bang. The light from these most distant luminous objects began its journey almost 12-13 billion years ago, very near the beginning of the Universe itself, now believed to be 13.7 billion years old. The NIRCam design is optimised to find these "First Light" sources, but it also includes features that will make it a wonderful tool to study star formation in the Milky Way Galaxy and to discover and characterise planets around other stars.<br /><br />NIRCam will fly ten of RSC's Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) HgCdTe 2048 x 2048 element detector arrays, each the largest available with current technology, for a total of 40 Megapixels. To form the FPA, these arrays will be Indium bump bonded to a versatile, high performance Read Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC), the HAWAII-2RG. The HAWAII-2RG, developed with JWST in mind, is already in use by ground-based astronomers.<br /><br />The JWST NIRCam IR-Sensor team includes Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation, the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii, United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), GL Scientific, and Conceptual Analytics, LLC.<br /><br />(source: Rockwell Scientific)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launch Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />New NRO Mission to Fly on ILS/Lockheed Martin Atlas V<br /><br />(10 December 2003) International Launch Services (ILS) has received authorisation to begin operations for the launch of a new payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) on a Lockheed Martin Atlas V rocket. The launch is set for early 2006 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.<br /><br />This NRO launch is a new mission added to ILS' existing contract for launches under the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. Details about the payload are classified.<br /><br />(source: International Launch Services)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SpaceDev Tests Rocket Motor for SpaceShipOne<br /><br />(11 December 2003) SpaceDev has successfully tested a hybrid rocket motor designed for the first powered flight of SpaceShipOne, built by Scaled Composites.<br /><br />SpaceDev successfully test fired a motor with its proprietary propellant equal to about one-half the total capacity of the motor. The purpose of the test was to qualify the exact configuration of the motor to be used for SpaceShipOne's first powered test flight.<br /><br />SpaceDev also performed a full flow oxidiser test through its proprietary main valve, during a recent glide test of SpaceShipOne, in further preparation of the first powered flight. The test was successful.<br /><br />(source: SpaceDev)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Launches<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Gruzomaket<br /><br />Launched: 5 December 2003<br />Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />Launcher: Strela<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 449 km, perigee: 441 km: inclination: 67.1°<br />International Number: 2003-055A<br />Name: Gruzomaket<br /><br />Gruzomaket appears to be a dummy satellite, placed into orbit to test and demonstrate the capabilities of the Strela launcher which is a converted ICBM.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Uragan<br /><br />Launched: 10 December 2003<br />Site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan<br />Launcher: Proton K / Breeze M<br />Orbit: LEO, apogee: 19058 km, perigee: 18919 km: inclination: 65.08°<br />International Number: 2003-056A, 56B, 56C<br />Name: Uragan (3 satellites) - Kosmos 2402, 2403 and 2404<br /><br />This launch placed a trio of Russian Uragan navigation satellites in orbit. They will be used as part of the Glonass satellite navigation constellation.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Business<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />DirecTV Latin America Files Reorganisation Plan<br /><br />(12 December 2003) DirecTV Latin America LLC has filed its proposed Plan of Reorganization and Disclosure Statement with the US Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware.<br /><br />DirecTV Latin America filed for Chapter 11 in March 2003 in order to address its financial and operational challenges. The filing applied only to the US entity and did not include any of the operating companies in Latin America and the Caribbean, which have continued regular operations. DirecTV is a leading pay television service in Latin America and the Caribbean with approximately 1.5 million subscribers in 28 countries.<br /><br />In broad terms, the proposed Plan contemplates that the Company will continue to exist as a Delaware limited liability company whose members will be Hughes and Darlene Investments LLC, an affiliate of the Cisneros Group of Companies. Holders of allowed general unsecured claims will receive cash distributions equal to 20 percent of their allowed claims. These distributions will be funded from the Company's operating cash flow and a new credit facility to be provided by Hughes. The reorganised Company will also use this exit funding to help fund its ongoing business expenses upon emergence from the reorganisation process. Final details of the new credit facility are subject to agreement by the Company, Hughes and the Creditor's Committee.<br /><br />Under the proposed Plan, Hughes will receive more than 80 percent of the reorganised Company's equity upon its emergence from Chapter 11 in consideration of its allowed claim for debtor-in-possession financing, as well as for assets to be contributed to the reorganised Company and certain other claims. Darlene will receive a minority share of the equity in consideration of assets to be contributed to the reorganised Company.<br /><br />(source: DirecTV Latin America)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Thermo Capital Partners Completes Agreement to Acquire Globalstar<br /><br />(8 December 2003) Globalstar LP and Thermo Capital Partners LLC have finalised their previously-announced acquisition plan. As a result, a new Globalstar company, controlled by Thermo, has been established, and Thermo will be providing funding for the new company's operations.<br /><br />Under the acquisition agreement, Globalstar's business assets will be transferred to the new company, which will operate under the Globalstar brand name. The transfer of certain assets has already occurred, and the entire process will be completed upon receipt of US regulatory approval, which is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2004. In the meantime, Globalstar's regulated assets will remain with Globalstar LP and will be operated by the new company pursuant to a management agreement.<br /><br />As a result of the transaction with Thermo, Globalstar service and customer support around the world will continue uninterrupted, and the new company is planning to introduce an accelerated business expansion plan later in 2004.<br /><br />The agreements completed late last week will give Thermo an 81.25% ownership of the new company that will eventually take control of substantially all of Globalstar's assets and operations, in exchange for a cash investment of up to US$ 43 million. The remaining 18.75% of the equity interests in the new company will be retained by Globalstar for future distribution to its creditors under its bankruptcy plan. Additionally, Globalstar's creditors will have the right to purchase additional equity interests in the new company for an aggregate ownership interest of up to 36.37%.<br /><br />(source: Globalstar)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Products and Services<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />NightHawk Systems Introduces Satellite-Based Remote Control Product<br /><br />(10 December 2003) NightHawk Systems Inc has introduced its ST1500 wireless remote control product that utilises the Orbcomm satellite network. The ST1500 allows a user to remotely control any electrical device located almost anywhere in the world. The ST1500 increases functionality by providing for monitoring, control and confirmation that commands have been properly executed, at new breakthrough price points.<br /><br />NightHawk plans to immediately introduce the ST1500 to its existing customer base in the electric utility and traffic signage markets and has plans to expand to new markets throughout 2004. The satellite-based products will complement the Company's existing remote control product line that primarily utilises paging service for activation.<br /><br />NightHawk Systems Inc designs and manufactures easy to use 'plug and play' products than can remotely control virtually any electrical device from any location. NightHawk products are easily installed and operated by anyone, regardless of technical capability. NightHawk services customers in a variety of markets including electric utilities, traffic signage, computer systems, commercial lighting, and irrigation.<br /><br />(source: NightHawk Systems)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />QinetiQ Helps Protect Aircraft from Space Weather<br /><br />(10 December 2003) On 4 November 2003, the Sun emitted the largest solar flare ever recorded, following 10 days of unprecedented solar activity. The atmosphere protects people on the Earth's surface from solar flares, but passengers and crews on commercial jets at high latitudes could receive exposure that significantly exceeds one chest x-ray and can even exceed annual limits.<br /><br />QinetiQ is at the forefront of performing calculations for such events and has developed a new product for monitoring solar flares and other space weather hazards called Merlin.<br /><br />The Merlin space weather hazard monitor is a small, low power instrument, which weighs just one kilogram and can be fitted on all operational and experimental spacecraft. The space version is available immediately, whilst the aircraft variant (based on similar technology) will be launched shortly.<br /><br />The Merlin monitor uses its unique measurement capability to provide operators with real-time data and alarms when threat levels are high. Simple actions can then be taken to minimise risk - for example, satellite operators can delay complex operations until the threat reduces, increase staff alert levels or even shut down sensitive equipment as a precautionary measure. Aircraft may be able to change altitudes or routes.<br /><br />(source: QinetiQ)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />SkyWay USA Launches 'Open Standard' Broadband Service Offering<br /><br />(9 December 2003) SkyWay USA has launched its retail satellite broadband services for the continental US. SkyWay USA allows satellite dealers to offer nation-wide dial-up Internet services and satellite broadband primarily to the 30 million households located in rural markets where DSL, cable modem or other terrestrial broadband Internet services are not available.<br /><br />SkyWay USA's Internet service offering is powered by a proven international "open standard." The use of this Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) Mpeg-2 technology for delivery of Internet services has been tested thoroughly and is currently being used by more than 400,000 end-users, world-wide.<br /><br />SkyWay USA's platform combines the economies of satellite broadcasting and dial-up Internet access. SkyWay USA utilises an experienced nation-wide network of satellite dealers to install their fast, easy-to-use, and reliable solutions. This unique retail model allows dealers to provide a complete Internet solution to the consumer, including unlimited Internet access, satellite hardware, dial-up Internet services, and quality 24-hour customer support.<br /><br />SkyWay USA's residential program is offered to satellite dealers exclusively through Saturn Distributing.<br /><br />(source: SkyWay USA)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Stratos Launches New StratosITek IP VSAT Service for Broadband Connectivity<br /><br />(10 December 2003) Stratos has launched its new broadband IP VSAT service, StratosITek, for next generation all-digital global connectivity. The system uses iDirect Technologies' broadband IP solution and is designed to offer a cost effective solution for small to large enterprise users. StratosITek supports a range of communications solutions, including Voice-over-IP, file and database server access, Internet, video conferencing, and e-mail. The service is backed by two 24/7 network operations centres based in the US and the UK for "around the clock" customer service.<br /><br />Combining high speed digital capacity with global coverage, StratosITek is perfect for geographically dispersed organisations with a need for reliable information management and connectivity. The StratosITek IP VSAT terminals provide transmission speeds of up to 4 Mb/s, making it an optimal solution for a variety of customers, including oil and gas operations, military personnel, maritime, construction/engineering companies, and remote broadcasters.<br /><br />(source: Stratos Global)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Telenor Satellite Services Introduces New Direct Dialling<br /><br />(11 December 2003) Telenor Satellite Services has introduced Satellite Direct Plus, its newest innovation in fixed-to-mobile calling via satellite.<br /><br />This new service determines call type and automatically routes it to a telephone, fax, or personal computer and places the call regardless of satellite terminal location.<br /><br />Available today, Satellite Direct Plus works for voice calls and data connections made over the global Inmarsat satellite network, including Inmarsat A, B, M, Mini-M, Global Area Network (GAN), Fleet and Swift services. <br /><br />(source: Telenor Satellite Services)<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />People<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Jean Réveillon Appointed Secretary General of EBU<br /><br />(8 December 2003) Jean Réveillon, the Deputy Director General and Director of Broadcasting at France 3, has been appointed Secretary General of the European Broadcasting Union at the 115th meeting of the Union's Administrative Council.<br /><br />He succeeds Jean Stock, who informed Members of his intention to retire at the EBU General Assembly in Stockholm in July 2003.<br /><br />Jean Réveillon was elected a Vice-President of the EBU in July 2002. He will be taking office as Secretary General in February 2004.<br /><br />Jean Réveillon has been the Deputy Director General and Director of Broadcasting at France 3 since December 1999, having previously been Director General in charge of broadcasting at France 3, from August 1998 to November 1999.<br /><br />From 1992 to 1998 he was Director of Sport at France 2 and France 3. He was Director of France 3 Nord/Pas-de-Calais/Picardie from 1990 to 1992 and from 1984 to 1990 Director of Development at La Voix du Nord (a regional daily). From 1967 to 1984 he worked as a sports journalist, as Deputy Head and subsequently as Head of Sports Services at La Voix du Nord and as Editor-in-Chief of La Voix des Sports.<br /><br />(source: EBU)<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 to this email newsletter go to: http://www.spacenewsfeed.co.uk/subscribe.html. You can also unsubscribe from the same page.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />Copyright 2003 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