Satellite Today articles from November 2003

Satellite Today archives from November 2003

ILS Gets Go Ahead For Launch of Military's WGS-3 Satellite.
November 3, 2003... The U.S. Air Force has authorized International Launch Services (ILS) to begin integrating the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite #3 (WGS-3) with the Atlas V rocket, as the second mission ordered from the company under the government's evolved...

S3 Shuts Down Tanker Truck Using Satellite Communications.
November 3, 2003... Satellite Security Systems (S3), a San Diego, Calif.-based provider of asset security and logistics control, in cooperation with the California Highway Patrol and InterState Oil, has demonstrated the first wireless remote shutdown of a fully...

DirecTV Buys ILS Software To Monitor Local Channel Uplink Facility.
November 3, 2003... DirecTV, the satellite TV unit of Hughes Electronics [NYSE: GMH], has purchased ILS' MaxView network control software for use in monitoring equipment at DirecTV's new local channels uplink facilities. DirecTV offers local channels in 64...

Digital Angel to Acquire OuterLink.
November 3, 2003... Digital Angel [Amex: DOC], a South St. Paul, Minn.-based supplier of GPS-based and wireless tracking devices, has acquired OuterLink, a Concord, Mass.-based producer of satellite data systems, in a stock swap deal worth a minimum of $16...

Court Approves ORBIMAGE Final Plan of Chapter 11 Reorganization.
November 3, 2003... The Bankruptcy Court of Eastern Virginia has approved the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan of Orbital Imaging (ORBIMAGE), a Dulles, Va.-based provider of satellite imagery. With the court's approval, ORBIMAGE will be able to emerge...

DigitalGlobe Acquires eMap.
November 3, 2003... DigitalGlobe, a Longmont Colo.-based satellite imagery provider, has finalized negotiations to acquire eMap. EMap, a Reddick, Fla.-based geo-spatial consulting company, will become a wholly owned subsidiary of DigitalGlobe, with David Nale,...

Satellite Opportunities with the Government Abound.
November 3, 2003... Curious about the business opportunities for satellite companies with the U.S. government? Check out the inaugural issue of Satellite News' Government Procurement Report at SATELLITE TODAY ( http://www.satellitetoday.com ) We are excited about...

Call For Entries - Late Deadline - November 7, 2003.
November 3, 2003... 2003 Telecom Marketing Awards Presented by PBI Media's Telecom Group The Telecom Marketing Awards are among the telecommunications industry's most privileged honors, recognizing the best telecom marketing campaigns and programs of the...

Take Our Survey and Get A 7-day Pass To Satellite Today's Premium Content!
November 3, 2003... All you need to do is answer a few questions and we'll get you started on your free trial to the proprietary materials on the Satellite Today Web site. Your feedback will help us make the Web site and our newsletters more useful to you....

Despite Stiff Competition, Enterprise Satellite Market Remains Strong.
November 4, 2003... NEW YORK--Even though point-to-point, fiber optic solutions for the enterprise services market continue to gain market share, this "bread and butter" niche for the commercial satellite business is showing renewed signs of life for the satellite...

SES Set To Launch Eurobond.
November 4, 2003... SES Global [Luxembourg: SESG], a Luxembourg-based satellite operator and manufacturer, said it plans to launch an inaugural benchmark eurobond, subject to market conditions. SES confirmed that the bond issue aims to broaden the funding base of...

U.S. Government Purchases Two Norsat NewsLink Terminals.
November 4, 2003... Canada's Norsat International [Toronto: NII] announced that an unidentified U.S. government agency has purchased two Norsat NewsLink portable satellite terminals to provide satellite communications. The terminals were purchased through Norsat...

Tenzing Moves Into the Maritime Market.
November 4, 2003... Tenzing Communications, a Seattle-based provider of satellite-based email and text-messaging for commercial airline passengers, is expanding its product offering to the maritime industry. The company recently completed the trial of an e-mail...

Two Russian Satellites Readied for Launch.
November 4, 2003... The refueling of two Russian Yamal-200 telecommunications satellites has been completed at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, according to a report by the Russian news agency ITAR-TASS. This week, final checks will be performed on the Yamal...

Rich To Head African Region for SES Astra.
November 4, 2003... SES Astra [Luxembourg: SESG] has appointed Stephen Rich as vice president and general manager of the African region for the Luxembourg-based satellite operator. The appointment took effect on Nov. 1. Prior to joining SES Astra, Rich was a...

Plenexis To Lease Transponder On Europe*Star 1 To Offer Broadband.
November 4, 2003... Plenexis, a German broadband satellite company, has agreed to lease additional capacity on the Europe*Star 1 satellite operated by London-based Europe*Star. In addition, Plenexis is using the DirecWay platform supplied by Germantown, Md.-based...

Turkish Company Launches DirecWay Broadband Satellite Service.
November 4, 2003... Dexar Multimedia ve Telecommunications, a Turkish satellite broadband networking supplier, has begun to offer Hughes Network Systems' [NYSE: GMH] DirecWay broadband satellite services from its teleport in Istanbul. Dexar is providing...

FiberSat To Uplink Services For LA-Based TV Stations.
November 4, 2003... FiberSat Global Services will provide satellite distribution of Los Angeles-based TV stations KJLA TV, LATV Network, KXLA TV, and KVMD TV using PanAmSat's [Nasdaq: SPOT] Galaxy 11 satellite. FiberSat Global Services is receiving four...

Correction.
November 4, 2003... In the Nov. 3 issue, we incorrectly identified the company that is supplying MaxView software to DirecTV for its new local channels uplink facilities. The company is Atlanta, Ga.-based ILC. We regret the error. [Copyright 2003 PBI Media,...

Satellite Opportunities with the Government Abound.
November 4, 2003... Curious about the business opportunities for satellite companies with the U.S. government? Check out the inaugural issue of Satellite News' Government Procurement Report at SATELLITE TODAY ( http://www.satellitetoday.com ). We are excited about...

Call For Entries - Deadline Dec. 10.
November 4, 2003... 2003 SATELLITE NEWS' PR & Marketing Awards Presented by PBI Media's Satellite Group SN's PR & Marketing Awards are among the industry's most privileged honors, recognizing the best satellite PR & marketing campaigns and programs of the...

Call For Entries - Late Deadline - November 7, 2003.
November 4, 2003... 2003 Telecom Marketing Awards Presented by PBI Media's Telecom Group The Telecom Marketing Awards recognizes the best telecom marketing campaigns and programs. Choose from 17 categories to enter including advertising/creative campaign,...

EADS Sees Satellites As Key To European Defense.
November 5, 2003... PARIS--The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) is looking to use satellites to help countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as non-NATO European Union countries, respond to a diverse range of "complex...

Ion Propulsion Offers Cost Savings For Deploying Satellites.
November 5, 2003... PARIS--The planned deployment of radiofrequency ion thrusters (RIT) in satellites later this decade could produce savings of up to 15 million euros ($17 million) per mission, compared to traditional chemical propellant, said Thomas Frohlich,...

SkyFrames, Motorola To Bring VoIP to Troops in Iraq.
November 5, 2003... SkyFrames [OTC: SKYUE], a Costa Mesa, Calif.-based satellite broadband Internet service provider, and Motorola [NYSE: MOT] have teamed to provide voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service via satellite. The joint broadband project will help...

Raytheon Receives Navy Contract To Supply Satcom Terminals.
November 5, 2003... Raytheon [NYSE: RTN], a Waltham, Mass.-based defense contractor, has received a contract from the U.S. Navy to develop terminals for its nextgeneration satellite communications (satcom) systems. The contract is to develop the Advanced Extremely...

ISECUREtrac Receives Contract To Supply GPS Tracking Devices.
November 5, 2003... ISECUREtrac [OTC: ISRE], a Omaha, Neb. based- GPS device company, has received a contract from Pike County, Ill., to use GPS technology to manage the county's work release program. The company's product will allow police in the county to...

Satellite Opportunities with the Government Abound.
November 5, 2003... Curious about the business opportunities for satellite companies with the U.S. government? Check out the inaugural issue of Satellite News' Government Procurement Report at SATELLITE TODAY ( http://www.satellitetoday.com ). We are excited about...

Call For Entries - Deadline Dec. 10.
November 5, 2003... 2003 SATELLITE NEWS' PR & Marketing Awards Presented by PBI Media's Satellite Group SN's PR & Marketing Awards are among the industry's most privileged honors, recognizing the best satellite PR & marketing campaigns and programs of the...

Call For Entries - Late Deadline - November 7, 2003.
November 5, 2003... 2003 Telecom Marketing Awards Presented by PBI Media's Telecom Group The Telecom Marketing Awards recognizes the best telecom marketing campaigns and programs. Choose from 17 categories to enter including advertising/creative campaign,...

EADS Space CEO Discusses Cost-cutting Plan.
November 6, 2003... PARIS--The effort to reduce costs by 20 percent at European-based satellite manufacturer EADS Astrium by 2005 also is intended to re-engineer its workforce to improve its processes and efficiencies, according to CEO Antoine Bouvier. The...

Thuraya Picks Up Iraqi Business.
November 6, 2003... Thuraya, a UAE-based mobile satellite services operator, has picked up a substantial amount of business in Iraq in the aftermath of the conflict, said Chairman Mohammad Omran. Thuraya hopes to be profitable by the end of this year. The operator...

Cable Beats Out Satellite In Canadian Digital Race, Survey Says.
November 6, 2003... Digital cable holds the edge over satellite TV as the technology choice of most Canadian analog television subscribers who express an intention to upgrade to a digital TV platform within the next year, according to a new consumer research...

Triton Systems Forms Venture To Make Microelectronics For Satellites.
November 6, 2003... Chelmsford, Mass.-based Triton Systems has launched a new venture, SI2 Technologies, to develop and commercialize multifunctional microelectronic devices, such as conformal antennas and distributed electronics for both the military and...

Satellite Opportunities with the Government Abound.
November 6, 2003... Curious about the business opportunities for satellite companies with the U.S. government? Check out the inaugural issue of Satellite News' Government Procurement Report at SATELLITE TODAY ( http://www.satellitetoday.com ). We are excited about...

Call For Entries - Deadline Dec. 10.
November 6, 2003... 2003 SATELLITE NEWS' PR & Marketing Awards Presented by PBI Media's Satellite Group SN's PR & Marketing Awards are among the industry's most privileged honors, recognizing the best satellite PR & marketing campaigns and programs of the...

Call For Entries - Late Deadline - November 7, 2003.
November 6, 2003... 2003 Telecom Marketing Awards Presented by PBI Media's Telecom Group The Telecom Marketing Awards recognizes the best telecom marketing campaigns and programs. Choose from 17 categories to enter including advertising/creative campaign,...

U.S. Government Needs Backup Telecom Plan To Include Satellites.
November 7, 2003... WASHINGTON - The federal government needs to develop a backup plan in case the nation's communications infrastructure is disabled, warned Joe Wright, president of PanAmSat [Nasdaq: SPOT]. He said that satellites are a perfect platform to backup...

FCC's International Bureau Makes Staff Changes.
November 7, 2003... The Federal Communications Commission's International Bureau announced a number of personnel changes this week. Jacqueline M. Ponti has been appointed to a new role as associate bureau chief for licensing and operations. Jacquelynn Ruff has...

EchoStar Wins $5.5 Million Lawsuit.
November 7, 2003... EchoStar Communications [Nasdaq: DISH], an Englewood, Colo.-based satellite television provider, has won $5.5 million in a lawsuit filed against a former retailer. The court ruled that Sky Cable of Pennsylvania violated a retailer agreement...

Trafficmaster To Provide Smartnav for Subaru and Isuzu.
November 7, 2003... Trafficmaster [PNK: TRFMF], a Bedfordshire, England- based GPS device retailer, has introduced Smartnav for Isuzu and Subaru vehicles. Smartnav is a satellite navigation system, which will offer Isuzu and Subaru customers access to Smartnav...

NovAtel Gets Raytheon Contracts for WAAS Technology.
November 7, 2003... NovAtel [Nasdaq: NGPS], a Calgary, Alberta-based precise positioning technology company, has received three preliminary contracts totaling up to $1.3 million from Raytheon [NYSE: RTN] to begin production of a common reference receiver and to...

Tachyon Provides U.S. Soldiers With Satellite Broadband Internet Access.
November 10, 2003... Vienna, Va.-based Tachyon, a provider of broadband satellite services for large enterprises and government agencies, is providing 24/7 high-speed Internet access for U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Tachyon's transportable broadband satellite units...

LaBarge Awarded $6.6M Contract From Lockheed Martin for Atlas V.
November 10, 2003... Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] awarded St. Louis-based LaBarge [AMEX: LB] a $6.6 million contract to supply wire harnesses for the Atlas V launch vehicle. LaBarge said it anticipates options for additional work on the rocket....

Frequency Electronics Gets $2.3M Government Satellite Contract.
November 10, 2003... Frequency Electronics [AMEX: FEI], of Mitchel Field, N.Y., has been awarded a $2.3 million contract for an integrated ultra stable quartz oscillator and microwave receiver system to be used on a U.S. government geosynchronous satellite. ...

EMS, Expand Networks Team On Mobile Satellite Product for Aircraft.
November 10, 2003... Expand Networks, Roseland, N.J.-based provider of WAN compression and acceleration appliances, has signed an OEM agreement with EMS Technologies [Nasdaq: ELMG], an Atlanta-based provider of technology solutions to wireless and satellite...

Europe Star Provides Broadband via Satellite In Ireland.
November 10, 2003... Europe Star, a London-based satellite operator, is working with Ireland's South West Regional Authority to provide rural communities in Ireland with highspeed Internet service via Europe Star 1. The service will provide broadband data rates in...

Brown Joins iDirect as VP of Marketing and Corporate Communications.
November 10, 2003... IDirect Technologies, a Reston, Va.-based satellite broadband provider, has named Warren Brown to be its vice president of marketing and corporate communications. Brown is joining iDirect from Iridium Satellite [PNK: IRIDQ], where he held a...

Integral Systems Wins NASA DASS Antenna Contract.
November 10, 2003... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has awarded a contract to the Antenna Systems Division of Integral Systems [Nasdaq: ISYS] to supply DASS (Distress Alerting Satellite System) antennas. An Integral spokesman declined to...

EchoStar's Subscriber Gains Trail Analysts' Estimates.
November 11, 2003... Englewood, Colo.-based EchoStar Communications [Nasdaq: DISH] added approximately 285,000 net new subscribers during the third quarter, but that level fell short of Wall Street's consensus estimates of between 300,000 to 325,000 net new...

North American Satellite Transponder Usage Increases.
November 11, 2003... The North American satellite transponder market grew in the third quarter, according to a quarterly transponder study prepared by Clarksburg, Md.-based Communications Center ( http://www.communications-center.com ). According to the study, the...

Telenor Launches New Maritime Communications Service.
November 11, 2003... Telenor Satellite Services announced Tuesday the commercial launch of Telenor Fleet F55, the first high-speed data product available for coastal and regional vessels and large yachts. Telenor plans to commercially launch the third member of its...

Singapore Airlines To Use Connexion By Boeing For In-flight Internet.
November 11, 2003... Singapore Airlines (SIA) has selected Connexion by Boeing as its provider of high-speed Internet access on board its long-haul flights. The letter of intent agreement calls for the Connexion by Boeing satellite-based mobile information service...

Andrew Appoints Byrnes To Head Satellite Communications Business.
November 11, 2003... Joan M. Byrnes has joined Orland Park, Ill.-based Andrew Corp. [Nasdaq:ANDW] in the newly created role of vice president and general manager of satellite communications. In this position, she will be responsible for managing Andrew's global...

European Institutions Finalized Space Policy Accord.
November 12, 2003... The European Space Agency and the European Union have completed a framework agreement to expand their cooperation in the area of space exploration and exploitation. Signature is expected before the end of this month. The framework agreement has...

Japan Airlines To Use Connexion by Boeing For Long-Haul Fleet.
November 12, 2003... Japan Airlines (JAL) has agreed to install Connexion by Boeing's satellite-based mobile broadband service on JAL's long-haul fleet of 68 aircraft. JAL is the Asian launch customer for the Connexion by Boeing service. Installations of the...

Loral Skynet Begins Telstar 13 Service.
November 12, 2003... Loral Skynet, a unit of Loral Space and Communications [OTC: LRLSQ], announced that Telstar 13 has successfully completed its in-orbit testing and is in operation at its 121 degrees West Longitude orbital slot. Pending regulatory approval,...

Korean DBS Operator SkyLife Reaches 1 Million Subscriber Mark.
November 12, 2003... Korean direct broadcast satellite (DBS) broadcaster SkyLife has topped the 1 million subscriber mark, making it one of Asia's fastest growing pay-TV platforms. SkyLife launched Korea's only digital satellite TV service in March 2002. Since...

Norsat Supplies Satellite Equipment for Broadband Project in China.
November 12, 2003... Dynamic Engineers has purchased an additional 350 VSAT transceivers from Canada's Norsat International [Toronto: NII] for a $1.5 million project to deliver broadband communications to remote regions in China. Dynamic Engineers is a privately...

Contracting Opportunities with DoD.
November 12, 2003... For information about telecom and IT contracting opportunities with the Department of Defense, check out the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization's Web site at https://www.ditco.disa.mil/dcop/public/asp/dcop.asp. For more...

Satellite Opportunities with the Government Abound.
November 12, 2003... Curious about the business opportunities for satellite companies with the U.S. government? Check out the inaugural issue of Satellite News' Government Procurement Report at SATELLITE TODAY (www.satellitetoday.com). We are excited about the...

Call For Entries - Deadline Dec. 10.
November 12, 2003... 2003 SATELLITE NEWS' PR & Marketing Awards Presented by PBI Media's Satellite Group SN's PR & Marketing Awards are among the industry's most privileged honors, recognizing the best satellite PR & marketing campaigns and programs of the...

Helfgott Leads All-Star Team For Seminar on Government Satellite Market.
November 13, 2003... David Helfgott, president of Americom Government Services, leads a topnotch team of industry experts who will share their insights into tapping the U.S. government market for satellite services and equipment during the Nov. 17 virtual seminar...

Intelsat Expects To Expedite Closing Of Loral Asset Purchase.
November 13, 2003... Intelsat moved a step closer to completing its $1.1 billion purchase of the North American satellite assets of Loral Space and Communications [OTCBB: LRLSQ] when the time limit recently expired for others to appeal the bankruptcy court's...

FCC Requires MSS Carriers To Provide 911 Call Centers.
November 13, 2003... The Federal Communications Commission Thursday decided that mobile satellite service (MSS) carriers that provide interconnected voice service must establish call centers for the purpose of answering 911 emergency calls and forwarding such calls...

Space Imaging Completes Florida Fire Risk Assessment.
November 13, 2003... Space Imaging, a Denver-based satellite imagery provider, has completed a fire risk assessment project for the Florida Division of Forestry (DOF). The project involved compiling numerous statewide current and historical data sets, and working...

Lockheed Martin Awarded $2.5 Million NOAA Satellite Contract.
November 13, 2003... Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has been awarded a $2.5 million contract by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to execute an architecture study of NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R) program....

Gilat Raises $104 Million In Equity Through Exchange.
November 13, 2003... Gilat Satellite Networks [Nasdaq: GILTF], an Israel-based satellite networking company, has raised $104 million through an exchange of its ordinary shares for its outstanding 4 percent convertible subordinated notes due 2012. Gilat offered 125...

PanAmSat Expands Terrestrial Capability With Sonic Purchase.
November 14, 2003... Wilton, Conn.-based satellite operator PanAmSat [NASDAQ: SPOT] is expanding its land-based capabilities with an all-cash acquisition of Sonic Telecom, a provider of international high-definition multimedia transmission services and business...

Europe Unveils Space Policy White Paper.
November 14, 2003... The much-anticipated European white paper on space policy was released this week by the European Space Agency and the European Commission. The white paper has a number of policy recommendations, including: * putting additional...

Radyne Secures $1.2M China Satellite Modem Contract.
November 14, 2003... Phoenix-based Radyne ComStream [Nasdaq: RADN] has won a $1.2 million contract to supply its DMD 20 satellite modem to an unidentified Chinese company. Delivery will be completed this year. "This is the largest contract to date for Radyne...

Convergys Signs Billing Contract with Indonesia's Satelindo.
November 14, 2003... Convergys [NYSE: CVG], a Cincinnati, Ohio-based supplier of integrated billing, employee care, and customer care services, has agreed to license its Infinys billing system to PT Satelit Palapa Indonesia (Satelindo), an Indonesian satellite and...

India's Doordarshan Equips Digital Head-ends with Scopus Platforms.
November 14, 2003... Indian TV broadcaster Doordarshan has ordered additional digital video broadcasting platforms from Israel-based Scopus Network Technologies for satellite TV broadcast head-ends throughout India. The systems are also configured to be used for...

Last Chance To Follow The Money.
November 14, 2003... Join SATELLITE NEWS' Government Procurement Report and top experts from the U.S. satellite industry on Nov. 17 for an exclusive virtual seminar: "Follow the Money: Satellite Opportunities with the U.S. Government." In just 90 minutes...

Call For Entries - Deadline Dec. 10.
November 14, 2003... 2003 SATELLITE NEWS' PR & Marketing Awards Presented by PBI Media's Satellite Group SN's PR & Marketing Awards are among the industry's most privileged honors, recognizing the best satellite PR & marketing campaigns and programs of the...

StarBand Cleared To Exit Bankruptcy.
November 17, 2003... McLean, Va.-based satellite Internet provider StarBand Communications has received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware to emerge from Chapter 11 protection. This is the final clearance required from the bankruptcy court for...

NOAA Awards Harris GOES-R Ground Segment Contract.
November 17, 2003... Harris [NYSE: HRS], a Melbourne, Fla.-based satellite data ground processing and command, control and communications systems, has been awarded a one-year contract by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for ground segment...

FAA Demonstrates Satellite Capabilities For Air Traffic Management.
November 17, 2003... The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing [NYSE: BA] have completed final test demonstration flights over the Gulf of Mexico using satellites that could lead to increased operational efficiency, capacity and safety in remote or...

SpaceDev Auctions Microsatellite Mission on eBay.
November 17, 2003... SpaceDev [OTC: SPDV], a San Diego, Calif.- based space solutions company, is auctioning a microsatellite mission on eBay (www.ebay.com). The auction, which began Nov. 10, lasts for 10 days. The item number is 2572382454 with a starting bid of...

Hispamar To Launch Brazilian Satellite.
November 17, 2003... Hispamar, a new Brazilian telecom subsidiary of Spain's Hispasat, plans to spend $350 million to launch the Amazonas communications satellite in June 2004. The satellite control center and main office will be located at Hispamar's headquarters...

EchoStar Appoints Schroeder As New Board Member.
November 17, 2003... EchoStar Communications [Nasdaq: DISH], an Englewood, Colo.-based satellite TV provider, has named C. Michael Schroeder to its board of directors. With the appointment of Schroeder, the board now has eight members. Schroeder founded Consumer...

Bulgarian VSAT Operator Leases NSS-7 Capacity.
November 18, 2003... Bulgarian VSAT operator TRANSAT JSCo, a subsidiary of Bulgaria's Petrol, is leasing capacity on New Skies' NSS-7 satellite to link hundreds of gas stations, banks and corporate locations in Bulgaria. Financial terms were not disclosed. The...

XM Introduces New XM Direct Product For Car Stereos.
November 18, 2003... Washington-based XM Satellite Radio [Nasdaq: XMSR] has introduced a new compact tuner module for car stereos that could help to spur additional sales. The universal tuner, called XM Direct, can be connected to any satellite-radio-ready car...

NASA Completes Design Phase of ELV Subsystem.
November 18, 2003... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has recently completed the design phase of a flight safety system to lower the cost of range operations for expendable launch vehicle missions. The autonomous flight safety system (AFSS) is...