AMC-18 Satellite to be Launched by Arianespace
WASHINGTON, D.C. March 28, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — Arianespace has been tapped by SES Global to launch the AMC-18 telecommunications satellite.
The launch of AMC-18 is planned for the second half of 2006 on an Ariane 5 vehicle from Europe's Spaceport at the GuianaSpaceCenter in French Guiana.
Built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, AMC-18 will have a liftoff mass of approximately 2,300 kg. The satellite is based on the A2100 satellite bus, and will provide high-power satellite services with its payload of 24 active C-band transponders.
The AMC-18 satellite, which will be operated by SES Americom, is designed for a minimum operational lifetime of 15 years, and will offer cable television distribution services across the United States from the orbital position of 105 degrees West.
Robert Kisilywicz, SES Americom's senior vice president of finance and chief financial officer, said the Ariane family of launch vehicles has already delivered 23 SES spacecraft into orbit.
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AOL, XM Unite to Create New Online Radio Service
NEW YORK, NY and WASHINGTON, D.C., April 12, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — America Online (NYSE:TWX) and XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR) said on Monday they will join forces to create a new online radio service. The companies said the new co-branded service will include a free, web radio offering and an enhanced premier radio offering that will be available to AOL members at no additional charge and as a premium service to consumers on the web.
The new offerings, which are expected to roll out beginning this summer with the launch of AOL’s next generation AOL.com web portal, will be promoted to an audience of upwards of 100 million consumers online.
AOL and XM said they will co-promote their unique, original programs across their networks including to XM’s nearly 3.8 million subscribers – the number one satellite radio audience – and to AOL’s more than 100 million unique monthly visitors across the AOL network of properties.
In addition to establishing the new online radio service, XM will integrate select AOL original programs such as Radio KOL, AOL Music Sessions and AOL Music LIVE! into its satellite radio service, which is available to listeners in cars as well as on home entertainment and portable devices. The companies will also work together to develop new programs and services for the online and satellite space.
“The combination of our leadership in online programming and XM’s leadership in satellite programming represents a giant step in digital media,” said Jon Miller, chairman and CEO of America Online, Inc. “This relationship creates important and valuable opportunities across our core businesses enabling us to provide unique value for our large web audience, enhanced programming for our existing and new AOL members, and the ability to introduce new premium services,” he added.
The new co-branded online radio service will feature a best-of-breed selection of AOL Radio Network and XM Radio exclusive and original content such as AOL’s Radio KOL, AOL Music Sessions and AOL Music LIVE! and original XM programs such as Artist Confidential and Then…Again.. Live! and more. Consumers will have the ability to select the offering that best meets their needs. The co-branded offerings will include:
· A new, unlimited listening web radio service featuring a sampling of 20 XM stations plus 130 AOL Radio stations that will be available free on the web;
· An enhanced version of AOL’s popular premium radio service featuring over 70 XM stations plus over 130 AOL Radio original and third party stations that will be available to AOL members at no additional charge and to consumers on the web for a low monthly fee.
“Our focus has always been on making the most valuable interactive programming and brands easily accessible to the broadest audience,” said Jim Bankoff, executive vice president of Programming and Products for AOL. “Now, as we prepare to launch our new portal and expand onto the web, we’re excited to step it up with this groundbreaking collaboration. Our relationship with XM enables us to enrich our mix of premier programming experiences while also extending the reach of our popular franchises to new platforms.”
Arianespace, Roscosmos Sign Soyuz CSG Infrastructure Contract
Jean-Yves Le Gall, CEO of Arianespace, and Anatoli Perminov, Director General of the Russian space agency Roscosmos at the signing of the partnership contract concerning the production and supply of Russian equipment and systems for the construction of facilities needed to launch Soyuz from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana. (Arianespace photo)
EVRY, France, April 12, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — Jean-Yves Le Gall, CEO of Arianespace, and Anatoli Perminov, director general of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, signed on Monday in Moscow a partnership contract for the production and supply of Russian equipment and systems for the construction of facilities needed to launch Soyuz from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana.
It provides for the manufacture, assembly and validation by Russian companies of Soyuz launcher interface systems and equipment, adaptation of this launcher to conditions at CSG (range safety, telemetry, environment), and completion of final development of the latest version of the launcher, Soyuz 2-1b.
This contract marks the first step in application of the inter-governmental agreements between France, the Russian Federation and the European Space Agency, to allow Soyuz launches from French Guiana. It follows four agreements on program financing, signed on March 21 in a ceremony attended by the French prime minister.
Roscosmos said it is working with several major Russian space companies: the Samara Space Center TsSKB Progress (prime contractor for the Soyuz launch system), NPO-Lavotchkine (prime contractor for the Fregat upper stage), the KBOM design office (prime contractor for ground infrastructures) and TsENKI, the government center in charge of supervising the Russian industrial partners involved in the ground infrastructure, to be able to comply with the provisions of the contract.
Arianespace has already signed its first contracts for Soyuz launches from French Guiana with both commercial and government customers, for launches starting in 2008. Operations with this new launch system confirms both the complementary fit of Ariane 5 and Soyuz as well as Arianespace's policy of offering a complete family of launchers. Soyuz launches from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan are currently marketed by Starsem, a joint subsidiary of Arianespace, EADS, Roscosmos and the SamaraSpaceCenter.
Beyond-Earth Enterprises, XCOR Aerospace Partner to Produce Small Payload Launch Vehicles for Sub-Orbital Travel
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, April 14, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — In answer to studies that show more and more Americans want to buy a flight into space if they had the chance and the cost was reasonable, a cooperative agreement between Beyond-Earth Enterprises and XCOR Aerospace was forged earlier this week to develop greater accessibility to space for everyone in a safe, reliable, and affordable manner.
The agreement will allow Beyond-Earth to purchase manufactured components from XCOR for standardized production of small payload launch vehicles. Beyond-Earth Enterprises is a commercial firm dedicated to providing small payload launch capabilities at affordable rates. XCOR Aerospace, Inc., is a small, private company with proven expertise in the production of high quality rocket engines and rocket powered vehicles.
Joe Latrell, CEO of Beyond-Earth said the deal is the first step toward making space accessible for commercial ventures. “We want to be instrumental in creating standardized production components. When an airline company or package delivery service needs a new vehicle, they don't build it, they buy it from a company who specializes in airplane or truck production." Latrell said.
Jeff Greason, CEO of XCOR agreed saying the commercial applications from scientific research to space tourism are within reach. “Cooperation such as this is essential to making that happen. Beyond-Earth and XCOR will each focus on their areas of expertise while expanding the overall market for space related products."
The agreement lets XCOR focus on rocket engine development, one of its core strengths, while allowing Beyond-Earth to concentrate on developing inexpensive alternatives to existing space launch systems and help revitalize the American public's interest in space. Beyond-Earth and XCOR said they expect this unique alliance to prove the reliability, safety, and affordability of complete rocket systems. The goal is profitable, low-cost transportation vehicles to Earth orbit, they said.
Boeing Completes SBSS Pathfinder Preliminary Design Review
ST LOUIS, April 8, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA], in partnership with Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) Pathfinder system. Boeing said this is another significant program milestone demonstrating the "best-of-industry" approach the Boeing team has developed to meet program requirements.
The PDR, which was held in Huntington Beach, Calif., and included over 100 participants from the government and its contractors, conducted a thorough review of the SBSS Pathfinder system architecture and design. According to Boeing, the review was the culmination of a detailed Ground Segment Preliminary Design Audit (PDA) conducted by Boeing in early January, and a detailed Space Vehicle Preliminary Design Audit (PDA) conducted by Ball Aerospace, the spacecraft and payload provider, in late January. At the conclusion of the 4-day PDR event, the Air Force customer was very pleased with the level of the review, Boeing said.
Col James Haywood, the Space Superiority Material Wing Commander concluded with, "Superb job on a successful PDR, a mature design and well-integrated baseline."
Under a contract awarded in March 2004, the Boeing team is developing a spacecraft with a visible sensor and ground segment. The team is also responsible for mission planning, mission data processing, a 2008 launch, and an option to operate the system for up to one year prior to transitioning operations and maintenance to the Air Force customer.
"Our reliance on, and the potential vulnerability of our national space assets, underscores the importance of developing a robust space situational awareness capability," said John Fuller, vice president of Air Force Space Systems for Boeing. "As a horizontally integrated company, we are able to access the capabilities and talent across the Boeing enterprise and the rest of industry."
SBSS Pathfinder is a low-risk, executable, cost-effective addition to the space situational awareness architecture. Looking toward the future, the SBSS Objective System will consist of a constellation of satellites that will further increase capacity and timeliness of detecting and tracking orbiting space objects, including potential future threats to America 's space assets. The Department of Defense will utilize data generated by the system to support worldwide military operations.
The SBSS Pathfinder program is jointly managed by the U.S. Air Force's Space and MissileSystemsCenter, Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA, Northrop Grumman Mission System, Redondo Beach, CA, and Boeing Air Force Systems, Long Beach, CA, a business unit of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.
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Boeing Team Competing for GOES-R Satellite System
ST. LOUIS, April 11, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — Boeing [NYSE:BA] has assembled an industry team to bid on the next-generation geostationary weather and environmental system for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Boeing said the team includes Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. and Harris Corp.
The next-generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite System, known as GOES-R, is an end-to-end system that will provide an uninterrupted flow of high quality environmental data to users. It will also have to facilitate meeting NOAA's overall mission goals – "to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation's economic, social, and environmental needs."
"We have assembled a world-class team whose innovative system integration methodology as well as spacecraft, ground systems and data processing technologies – along with more than 30 years of experience developing space based environmental systems – will contribute to the development of a superior solution for the GOES-R system," said Roger Roberts, senior vice president and general manager of Boeing's Space & Intelligence Systems business unit.
"We will develop GOES-R as the enabling first step of NOAA's Global Earth Observation System of Systems," he added.
Boeing is currently the prime contractor for the next series of geosynchronous environmental systems, GOES NOP. The GOES NOP program consists of three state-of-the-art imaging spacecraft and the supporting ground command and control elements. Scheduled to launch this year, the GOES-N satellite will provide imaging and sounding of the environment of the western hemisphere; information which will result in earlier and more precise weather warnings for the public.
Boeing also is building the Conical Scanning Microwave Imager/Sounder (CMIS) instruments for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System. CMIS, a critical instrument for the NPOESS program, provides highly accurate meteorological and oceanographic data.
The Boeing team includes:
Harris Corp., who will provide system integration solutions that incorporate advanced ground data processing and command, control and communications technology.
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp., who will lead the Payload Instrument Accommodation, which includes delivering the integrated and tested payload suite. Ball is currently under contract to provide the integrated NPOESS Preparatory Project Observatory and NPOESS instruments.
Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc., who will apply its simulation and modeling capabilities to ensure that environmental analysis products derived from the satellite system are optimized for widespread commercial use.
Carr Astronautics, will provide its developing advanced Image Navigation and Registration (INR) technology and data sensor processing expertise to the GOES R team.
Cablevision to End Voom Satellite TV
NEW YORK, April 11, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — Cablevision Systems said it will shut down the money-losing Voom satellite-TV service, ending chairman Charles Dolan's three-month battle to keep it operating.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission released early Friday, Cablevision said the service would no longer be available to customers as of April 30. The shutdown has begun and Voom service will end on April 30, according to the company’s regulatory filing.
Sources say the 15-member Cablevision board, including Dolan, voted unanimously Thursday night to adopt the timetable to shut the service.
The meeting came one week after the board's deadline passed for Dolan to reach a deal that would allow him to take Voom off the company's hands. Because no such deal was reached, reports say, the board was left with no choice but to set a timetable for a shutdown after having agreed on March 7 to extend Voom's life to March 31.
Charles Dolan had repeatedly executed moves to keep Voom going, despite tremendous pressure to close it. But his valiant efforts may have found little support from investors as Voom lost $661 million last year and attracted a measly 40,000 subscribers.
According to Cablevision, the original HDTV channels created for Voom will temporarily remain a part of the company's Rainbow Media programming unit. They will be offered to other cable and satellite TV companies, although that effort has been unsuccessful so far, the company admitted.
Dolan tried another tack by blocking Cablevision's $200 million deal to sell Voom's sole satellite to EchoStar Communications telling the Federal Communications Commission last week the sale would cut competition and hurt consumers. But Cablevision in its own FCC filing, disavowed Dolan's actions.
China Launches Apstar VI Communications Satellite
PARIS, April 14, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — China successfully launched on Tuesday a communications satellite from its space center in Xichang Sichuan province, its first commercial launch in seven years.
The Apstar VI communications satellite, built by prime contractor Alcatel Space (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE: ALA), was boosted into orbit by a Long March 3B launcher. Apstar VI, owned by APT Satellite Holdings Limited (APT), a satellite operator in the Asia Pacific region, will give the company the capability to provide advanced broadband multimedia, new digital television services and traditional telecommunications services to telecom and television operators in the Asia Pacific region.