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Issue #42 - |
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Connexion Granted Regulatory Authorizations for Mobile Broadband Data ServiceFCC Reinstates EchoStar's Ka-Band LicenseIntelsat Enables Vodacom to Grow in AfricaIndustry Canada Grants Approval to Hughes For SPACEWAY Satellites in CanadaViaSat Wins Contract From Honeywell Space SystemsAerospace Commission Releases Final ReportCubic and Satellite Security Systems to Offer Satellite GPS Asset Tracking SystemPanAmSat Expands Satellite Coverage of United States and Latin America With 22nd SpacecraftDelta IV Succeeds In Lifting Eutelsat W5 Satellite |
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Connexion Granted Regulatory Authorizations for Mobile Broadband Data ServiceRegulatory agencies from Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium and The Netherlands have granted authorization for The Boeing Company to use a range of Ku-band radio frequencies for its Connexion by Boeing mobile information service. The authorizations were granted to support demonstrations of the service with Lufthansa German Airlines and British Airways that will begin in the first quarter of 2003. The two leading European air carriers are pioneering the use of broadband connectivity onboard commercial aircraft and will begin three-month service demonstrations in January and February, respectively. "We are extremely pleased with the willingness of the regulatory agencies to authorize the commercial service demonstrations planned for early next year," said Connexion by Boeing President Scott Carson. FCC Reinstates EchoStar's Ka-Band LicenseThe Federal Communications Commission reinstated EchoStar Communications' license to launch a Ka-band satellite with high-speed Internet capabilities. In June, the FCC revoked the company's license for using the high-speed frequency because it said the company missed construction milestones. The FCC said this week that EchoStar should have provided more thorough documentation. Intelsat Enables Vodacom to Grow in AfricaIntelsat South Africa has signed a five-year contract with Vodacom International, a subsidiary of the Vodacom Group, to provide satellite capacity to enable Vodacom's expansion of mobile telecommunications services to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Tanzania. Intelsat is providing capacity on its 904 satellite at 60 Degrees E to carry the telecommunications traffic generated to and from more than 20 base stations and switching centers around and inside the African countries, as well as into the public switched network. "Major Southern African mobile communications operators are increasingly relying on satellites because they offer cost-effective and rapid deployment into remote areas where conventional infrastructure is limited or non-existent," commented Johan Prinsloo, Regional Director, Intelsat South Africa. "We consider this expansive satellite network a landmark achievement for supporting the extension of mobile telecommunications in the region." Andrew Mthembu, Deputy CEO of the Vodacom Group commented, "The Democratic Republic of Congo is a huge country with vast distances between the cities, so building our network there was complex. Using Intelsat satellites, we were able to easily connect Kinshasa to the other main areas such as Lubumbashi and Mbuji-Mayi." Industry Canada Grants Approval to Hughes For SPACEWAY Satellites in CanadaIndustry Canada has granted HNS approval to use the SPACEWAY North American satellites at 99 degrees and 101 degrees west longitude to provide services to, from and within Canada. This authorization permits SPACEWAY satellites to utilize Ka-band spectrum for advanced broadband services to earth stations licensed in Canada. SPACEWAY's coverage footprint will exceed 80% of Canada's population, including many geographically dispersed and underserved areas. "We are delighted with the timely approval of our SPACEWAY Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) application by Industry Canada. As a result, HNS can now fulfill its objective to provide next-generation broadband services for DIRECWAY customers throughout all of North America. It's notable that SPACEWAY is the first international Ka-band FSS satellite operator to be authorized in Canada," said Mike Cook, senior vice president and general manager of SPACEWAY. Scheduled for launch in 2003, with commercial service beginning in 2004, SPACEWAY will provide full-mesh connectivity for delivery of high-bandwidth, multimedia services. ViaSat Wins Contract From Honeywell Space SystemsViaSat Satellite Ground Systems has received a contract from Honeywell Space Systems in Clearwater, Florida for two mobile S-Band Tracking and Telemetry/UHF-Band Command Destruct integrated antenna systems. These systems are for the second phase of the Ballistic Missile Range System Technology program (BMRST) and will be delivered in July 2003. These tracking and telemetry systems combine the ability to receive an S-band telemetry data signal with the ability to transmit high-power UHF Command Destruct tones. Each of the antenna systems consists of a 5.4-meter reflector, elevation over azimuth pedestal, and a specialized telemetry tracking/UHF feed. The complete system includes a uniquely designed trailer/mounting base that provides full roadworthy towing as well as a stable tracking platform. The antenna systems are transportable by C-17 aircraft, as well as by sea or highway. Aerospace Commission Releases Final ReportThe Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry, which was charged with assessing the future importance of the domestic aerospace industry for the economic and national security of the US, presented its final report. To boost the aerospace industry, the commission recommended closer cooperation between NASA, the Department of Defense and the private sector. The commission thinks all three should be working toward delivering better access to space, promoting scientific research and searching for a way to convert the government's programs into some sort of commercial success. In particular, the report states, NASA should be focusing on new and better ways to propel and power spacecraft -- something the agency already is doing in looking at nuclear fission as a potential power source. NASA and the Pentagon also need to shore up launch facilities and equipment at Kennedy Space Center and the adjacent Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the report says. The commission made several suggestions, including considering bringing the two entities under some sort of central control to help cut costs. "A strong aerospace industry will enable the United States to defend itself, compete in the global marketplace, maintain a highly skilled workforce and provide all Americans with the ability to travel safely and securely anywhere in the world," said former Rep. Robert Walker, chairman of the Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry. Cubic and Satellite Security Systems to Offer Satellite GPS Asset Tracking SystemCubic Corp. has signed a joint marketing agreement with San Diego-based Satellite Security Systems (S3) to offer military and civilian customers in the homeland defense market a tracking system that uses the government's satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. The system features two-way communications, which allows messages that are sent back to the tracking unit to be displayed. The system also allows information, such as rate of acceleration, turning radius and speed, to be determined and displayed in real-time. The Cubic/S3 system includes Cubic's PC-RIS product, a proprietary software system that produces maps showing precise location data and visual positions of objects or vehicles (both stationary and in-motion), coupled with S3's GlobalGuard(TM) system, the unit that tracks the objects, using GPS. While many tracking systems use cellular technology, this system uses satellite technology, which is more reliable and offers better geographical coverage, with a reach that extends across North and South America. PanAmSat Expands Satellite Coverage of United States and Latin America With 22nd SpacecraftPanAmSat successfully completed the final customer transition to its Galaxy IIIC satellite, making the spacecraft the 22nd in its global fleet. Operating at 95 degrees west longitude, Galaxy IIIC will support some of the world's video and telecommunications powerhouses for their operations across North America, South America and the Caribbean. At the commencement of service, approximately 70 percent of the transponders on Galaxy IIIC were already under contract with customers. "The successful transition of customers on to Galaxy IIIC marks the completion of our fleet upgrade program over four years at a cost of over $2.5 billion, which is now behind us, resulting in a satellite fleet with the greatest average lifespan in the industry. Our primary focus now is increasing the utilization of our satellites, which are operating at 70 percent of capacity. By beginning service on Galaxy IIIC, PanAmSat has done what it set out to do-- provide its customers with one of the most modern, flexible and reliable fleets in the market," said Joe Wright, president and chief executive officer of PanAmSat. Launched June 15, 2002, Galaxy IIIC is a Boeing 702-model satellite containing 24 C-band and 52 Ku-band transponders. Galaxy IIIC takes over for Galaxy IIIR and Galaxy VIIIi, which will continue to provide partial services at 95 degrees west longitude. Customers were transitioned from Galaxy IIIR to Galaxy IIIC including DIRECTV Latin America. DIRECTV Latin America, which was also transitioned from Galaxy VIIIi, will use the satellite's extended Ku-band payload for distribution of its Direct-To-Home programming. This new satellite is the latest and most powerful addition to the coveted Galaxy neighborhood that serves nine of the top 10 cable networks in North America. In total, PanAmSat's fleet has an average remaining life of over nine years and is one of the youngest fleets in the industry. Delta IV Succeeds In Lifting Eutelsat W5 SatelliteBoeing's new Delta IV rocket successfully launched a communications satellite for Paris-based Eutelsat S.A. in the vehicle's maiden flight. The Delta IV lifted the Eutelsat W5 satellite into space Wednesday at 5:39 p.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Roughly 37 minutes after liftoff, the rocket deployed the W5 spacecraft to a geosynchronous orbit. The Delta IV rocket that deployed W5 was a Medium+ (4,2) configuration of the five-member Delta IV family of rockets developed by Boeing Expendable Launch Systems, a major program of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. Eutelsat's W5 spacecraft, built by Alcatel's Alcatel Space unit, will serve telecom users and service providers for video distribution and contribution links, occasional-use video, particularly satellite news gathering, as well as Internet backbone connections. W5's coverage will enable Eutelsat to increase its market presence in Asia as far as the Pacific, company officials said. |
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