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Issue #49 - March 28, 2003 |
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Japan Launches Spy SatellitesSony Adds Gemstar-TV Program Guide To DVD RecorderSES ASTRA Signs Transponder Deal With BT Broadcast ServicesEchoStar IX Hybrid Ku/Ka/C-band Sat Set to Launch in May 2003Canadian Space Agency and India's Space Research Organization Strengthen International Space CooperationSES Americom Sells Capacity to EchoStarGlobeCast Adds Duna TVOn Command Launches Satellite Technology for Delivery of Content to More Than 270,000 Hotel RoomsBoeing Restructures Launch Services
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Japan Launches Spy SatellitesA rocket carrying Japan's first two spy satellites blasted off this morning in a move to strengthen its intelligence-gathering capabilities. Korea has warned Japan about the launch, saying it would test fire a ballistic missile if Japan went ahead with the satellite launch. The satellites, one optical and one radar-equipped, separated from the rocket and went into orbit as planned, but will not be fully operational for several months. "We have received word that the launch was successful," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda told a meeting of the Upper House budgetary committee, attended by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. The Japanese-made H-2A launch rocket had been seen trailing a white plume through a cloudless sky above the launch site on the tiny island of Tanegashima, 1,000 km southwest of Tokyo. The satellite deployment, which will give Japan its first independent chance to scrutinize North Korea from space, was planned after Pyongyang's 1998 firing of a Taepodong ballistic missile, which passed over Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean. Tokyo plans to launch another two similar satellites later in the year. Some analysts have ex-pressed concern that North Korea, which has criticized the satellite launch as a "hostile act," could seize the opportunity to fire a Rodong ballistic missile capable of reaching Japan in order to grab international attention back from Iraq. The smooth launch will be a boost for Japan's rocket launch program, which is due to be privatized in two years' time and has faced failures in the past. Sony Adds Gemstar-TV Program Guide To DVD RecorderSony plans to incorporate Gemstar-TV Guide International's G-GUIDE interactive program guide technology into its Blu-Ray Disc recordable DVD receiver in Japan. Sony has announced that BDZ-S77 will be made available in the Japanese market on April 10. The BDZ-S77 will feature both a terrestrial analog and broadcast-satellite digital IPG that is displayed on screen, allowing the consumer to record TV programs directly from the IPG listing screens. SES ASTRA Signs Transponder Deal With BT Broadcast ServicesSES ASTRA has signe an agreement covering the use of one full transponder with BT Broadcast Services. The additional capacity contracted will be used for the provision of free-to-air and pay TV services in the British Isles. Commenting on the recent agreement, Alexander Oudendijk, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing at SES ASTRA, said: "Like ASTRA, BT Broadcast Services continues to push media boundaries ultimately benefiting their customers. We believe that the agreement reflects SES ASTRA's position as the satellite partner of choice in the UK and Ireland and we are more than pleased to extend our working relationship with BT Broadcast Services." Andrea Winn, Director of Broadcast Sales at BT Broadcast Services added, "Working alongside SES ASTRA on the provision of satellite capacity ensures that BT Broadcast Services maintains its reputation as a leading provider of video and interactive television services to the UK DTH market." EchoStar IX Hybrid Ku/Ka/C-band Sat Set to Launch in May 2003Echostar IX is scheduled to launch from a floating platform at the equator aboard a Sea Launch rocket. EchoStar's Ka-band portion of the satellite will be used to test, verify and deliver future broadband initiatives for the company. The satellite payload also includes 32 Ku-Band fixed satellite services (FSS) transponders, at approximately 120 watts, that will enhance EchoStar's current U.S. DISH Network satellite TV service, including additional service for Alaska and Hawaii. The satellite will operate at the 121 degree West Longitude orbital location. An additional C-band payload on the EchoStar IX satellite will be owned and operated by Loral Skynet as Telstar 13. Canadian Space Agency and India's Space Research Organization Strengthen International Space CooperationToday, Dr. Marc Garneau, President of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), reaffirming their pursuit of international space cooperation for peaceful purposes while working towards economic and social development for both countries. "The scope and breadth of India's space program is impressive", noted Dr. Garneau. "The ISRO program is both ambitious and diversified. The Memorandum lays the framework for continuing cooperation in projects and activities in which we share a common interest. It recognizes the similarities in the objectives and vision of our space programs and reflects the determination of our organizations to continue to work closely together to generate concrete economic, technological and scientific benefits for our citizens and humanity." "I am pleased to welcome Dr. Garneau and his delegation to India and to have signed this Memorandum today", said Dr. Kasturirangan. "We share common needs for telecommunications, meteorology, disaster warning as well as natural resources management and environmental monitoring. This renewed collaboration between CSA and ISRO demonstrates our mutual commitment to pursue common projects and develop business alliances benefiting both of our countries, now and into the future." Possible joint projects include: the possible participation in a Moon Orbiter mission, an agreement for Launch Early Operations Phases - which could be applied for the upcoming launch of SCISAT-1; the support of the United Nation Space Science and Technology Education Centre in India; and collaboration in the ASTROSAT/UVIT (Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope) mission. SES Americom Sells Capacity to EchoStarSES Americom has struck a multi-year service agreement to provide satellite capacity to EchoStar Communications. The capacity would be provided aboard SES Americom's AMC-15 satellite, already under construction. EchoStar plans to use the capacity to offer a combination of satellite TV programming and satellite-delivered, high-speed Internet services. Lockheed Martin is the manufacturer of the AMC-15, a Ku/Ka-band hybrid satellite that is based on the A2100 spacecraft platform. AMC-15 is planned for launch to the orbital slot of 105 degrees West Longitude in the third quarter of 2004. When fully operational, the satellite will feature 24 Ku-band transponders, 12 Ka-band spot beams and high levels of redundancy on core components such as amplifiers, receivers, commanding beam and computer control systems, SES Americom officials said. GlobeCast Adds Duna TVGlobeCast announced that Hungarian network Duna TV is now available via GlobeCast’s proprietary digital DTH platform Optus B3 across Australia and New Zealand. GlobeCast is providing Duna TV with end-to-end signal backhaul from Europe to GlobeCast’s Optus B3 gateway in Australia. In addition to DTH transmission, GlobeCast Australia manages subscriber management services for the broadcaster including a call center, reception installation and activation, installer referrals and technical support. On behalf of Duna TV, GlobeCast is supplying turnaround in Paris from HOT BIRD 4 with connectivity to Los Angeles across the company’s proprietary transatlantic ATM fiber network. In Los Angeles, GlobeCast operators record 8 hours of Duna TV programming daily and retransmit the signal via Intelsat 180 to GlobeCast Australia, for playout, multiplex, Irdeto encryption, monitoring and uplink to the Optus B3 DTH platform. On Command Launches Satellite Technology for Delivery of Content to More Than 270,000 Hotel RoomsOn Command Corporation, a provider of in-room interactive entertainment for the hotel industry and its guests, announced today that after successful testing in the fourth quarter of 2002 it has begun installing technology to enable satellite delivery of content to more than 270,000 hotel rooms throughout the United States, making it the largest provider of satellite and digital technology to the hotel industry. On Command has partnered with Ascent Media Group of Santa Monica, California for the management and delivery of all satellite content to their hotel rooms. Ascent Media Group is also performing content preparation services for On Command, just as it currently does for several major Hollywood studios. Satellite technology will enable the company to reduce its costs for updating its digital hotel room base. "Our current distribution efforts require us to ship directly to the hotel for manual installation," said Chris Sophinos, president and chief executive officer of On Command. "By moving to satellite updates, we will be able to reduce our distribution expenses by nearly $3 million because we will no longer need air and ground distribution. We'll be able to send updates directly to the hotel systems via satellite." Boeing Restructures Launch ServicesBoeing has restructured Boeing Launch Services to combine strategic planning, business development and sales for government and commercial customers under one integrated organization. Boeing officials cited the need for innovative approaches to meet the current challenges of the global launch market. "This new BLS structure enhances our customer focus by taking full advantage of our best people and practices to meet all of our customers' needs," said Will Trafton, vice president and general manager of Boeing Expendable Launch Systems. "The first launch of the Delta IV for the U.S. Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle contract demonstrated this and our commitment to customer satisfaction." The restructured BLS organization, with headquarters in Huntington Beach, Calif., is responsible for marketing and sales of the Sea Launch and Delta family of launch vehicles to Boeing national security, civil space and commercial customers. The BLS organization also provides strategic planning and business development for Boeing Expendable Launch Systems. "In today's market, there are awesome challenges facing launch providers worldwide," said Jayne Schnaars, vice president of BLS. "Combining our government and commercial marketing teams ensures that we have the right talent in place to address these challenges. Our customers' mission success is the most important element of our job as we continue to ensure that our products are the most reliable on the market today, tomorrow and in the future."
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