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SAT-MidEast 98.06.26
WELCOME TO SAT-MIDEAST !
A news release from Cairo, Egypt, located at 31.15 East - 30.3 North,
sponsored by TELE-SATELLITE INTERNATIONAL, Europes Satellite Magazine
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WHAT YOU'LL FIND HERE:
- Events and News interesting to the Middle Eastern SAT-viewer
- Satellite and Transponder Observations in C- and Ku-Band,
- Everything commented from the Middle Eastern perspective
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WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION:
- SAT-MidEast maintains a web site with relevant Middle Eastern
- satellite information, and a regular updated, satellite based,
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SAT-MidEast: http://www.sat-net.com/sat-mideast/
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ISRAELI MICRO-SATELLITE
-----------------------
* Israel's second Gurwin TechSat, a 106 lb. microsatellite to be
launched end of June, is the least expensive, smallest satellite of its
kind, and with the lowest power consumption for its size. Its relatively
low cost is in contrast to the large collection of equipment designed to
carry out tests of space hardware, and experiments in communication,
remote sensing, astronomy and geoscience. It demonstrates the cost
effectiveness of newer microsatellites with increased capabilities.
The Gurwin TechSatII will be launched from Kazakhstan on a Russian
Zenith rocket. It was designed and built by a team of students and
engineers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa and
funded by its namesake, Joseph Gurwin of Long Island, N.Y., who also
funded the first Gurwin TechSat.
The two satellites cost a total of $8 million to build and launch, with
the second satellite costing slightly less than half. Typical costs for
a full-size satellite weighing thousands of pounds run into tens of
millions. Smaller satellites can be launched riding piggyback with other
microsatellites on a larger satellite, as TechSat-II will be,
demonstrating another advantage to launching smaller spacecraft.
TechSat will generate 20 watts of power from four solar panels. All the
hardware that maintains its functioning has been designed to require
less than 10 watts, leaving the rest for the payload.
Experiments will address several problems for current satellites.
Communications satellites are limited in the number of channels of
information they can carry in a given space. One TechSat experiment will
test superconducting materials that could allow such satellites to carry
more channels in a smaller space by using superconducting filters to
separate channels.
Another problem is charged particles that can damage components such as
computers. A charged particle detector on TechSat will determine the
frequency and damaging effects of charged particles impact. This
information will help improve the durability and performance of future
designs.
TechSat's package also includes an ultraviolet sensor for determining
the ozone content of the atmosphere and an x-ray detector for
astronomical observations. A video camera able to record details as
small as 171 feet will return images of the earth's surface.
Satellites often require a launch that gives them a specific orientation
and a rotation that helps keep them stable. TechSat contains a
stabilization system that allows it to be launched into an arbitrary
orientation with no spin, and to stabilize and orient itself after
release. It will provide a field test for a newly developed horizon
sensor that will help the spacecraft stay pointed in the correct
direction.
The satellite program at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology
provides training for engineers as well as quick and inexpensive testing
of new space hardware. It fosters and relies on a working relationship
between industry and academia to develop low-cost, compact instruments
for use in space. An algorithm developed there will be used in the next
Pathfinder mission.
The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology is the country's premier
scientific and technological center for applied research and education.
It commands a worldwide reputation for its pioneering work in
communications, electronics, computer science, biotechnology,
water-resource management, materials engineering, aerospace and
medicine, among others.
The American Technion Society (ATS) is the university's support
organization in the United States. Based in New York City, it is the
leading American organization supporting higher education in Israel.
(SME, source: American Technion Society)
ASIASAT 2, 100.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/asia2.shtml
---------
* The package on 3,700 V has ceased.
The provider of the packages on 3,744 V and 3,900 V is ISkyB.
(SATCO DX)
THAICOM 3, 78.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/thai78.shtml
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* Vietnamese VTV-4 transmissions on 3,650 GHz, H, have ceased earlier
this week.
(SME)
APSTAR 2R, 76.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/apstar2r.shtml
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* On transponder 3A, 3,720 H, MPEG-2/PowerVu clear, SR 19508,FEC 3/4,
IDs:
1160/1120/ 1 Channel 11 625 Hallmark promo 525 lines/no audio
1260/1220/ 2 Channel 12 525 Hallmark promo 625 lines with audio
1360/1320/ 3 Channel 21 625 Kermit Colorbars 525 lines/no audio
1460/1420/ 4 Channel 22 525 Kermit Colorbars 625 lines/no audio
1160/8191/200 dcp download HM promo 525 lines/APID not set
1160/8191/400 ccp download HM promo 525 lines/APID not set
1160/8191/499 bhv download HMpromo 525 lines/APID not set
SME Comment: Don't expect this package to stay in clear for long...!
Encryption test could already be observed on VPIDs 1160 & 1260.
(SME, SATCO DX)
ARABSAT 2A, 26 East, http://www.satcodx.com/arab2a.shtml
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* Saudi Arabian Channel 1 is irregular available on 12,662 V, audio on
6,60 MHz.
Saudi Arabian Channel 2 is irregular available on 12,723 H, audio on
6,60 MHz.
(SATCO DX)
* Saudi Arabian radio channels:
3,925 R: 7,20 MHz Voice of the Kingdom 1
7,80 MHz Voice of the Holy Quoran
3,968 R: 7,20 MHz Voice of the Kingdom 2
(SATCO DX)
EUTELSAT II-f3, 16 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f3.shtml
--------------
* Channel Bizzare promo has started on 11,163 H, PAL/clear, 00:00-00:30
CET. Official start date is 16 July in D2-MAC according to on-screen
messages.
Reception is only possible in the Levante, NOT in the KSA, or Gulf
States.
(SATCO DX)
* Eutelsat Hungary announced a two-days test for Alfa-TV on 27-28 June
on transponder 33, 11,596 H, (was widebeam, ex-Duna TV)
(SATCO DX)
EUTELSAT II-f1, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f1.shtml
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* French Techno Channel W-bpm has started on June 21st on 11,055 H,
PAL/clear, 6,65 MHz mono, 7,02:7,20 MHz stereo audio, on the super beam.
(SATCO DX)
SME Comment: This channel is the first of a series of FTA channels to
appear on 13 East, after the replacement of Eutelsat II-f1 by Hot Bird
5. The present analogue mode will be changed into MPEG-2 transmissions,
a 4-language set-up for Pan-European broadcast is announced.
SME Comment: Personally I have developped lately doubts that there will
be a change from super to wide beam accordingly.
(SME)
HOT BIRD 2, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb2.shtml
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* UAE Radio Dubai is back behind EDTV on 11,747 H: 7,20 MHz.
(SATCO DX)
* Some info on the Greek digital situation from Dimitris Roussos:
The whole South-East European peninsula is still waiting on the new bill
governing digital satellite TV to be passed by the Greek Parliament by
the end of June, as promised by the Government. After it has become
law, then all the applications will be processed and licenses will be
granted to the ones who meet the requirements.
Obviously, "Nova", which up to now is the only applicant ready to launch
its services, will get the license, the question remains when.
Inofficial info says that the company has set September as the month the
package will hit the market, since summer season is not the best for
promoting TV subscriptions etc.
Filmnet Hellas at http://www.areianet.gr/nethold/filmnet/
K-TV Hellas at http://www.areianet.gr/nethold/kidtv/
SuperSport Hellas at http://www.areianet.gr/nethold/supersport/
* ART Al-Ma'aref and ART World Cup Channel (blank in the channel list)
on 12,015 H, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, are now in clear.
(SATCO DX)
RAI Italy has started a new "TEST 2 RAI" channel on 11,766 V,
MPEG-2/clear, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, PIDs 517/655.
(SATCO DX)
* Italian state broadcaster RAI, aledgedly announced it's has plans for
encrypting its present free-to-air digital channels transmitted from 13
East. The decision affects primarely RaiSat 1, RaiSat 2, RaiSat 3,
RaiSat Nettuno, along with RAI Uno, RAI Due and RAI Tre.
RAI stated that is driven to this action after the new Italian Media law
has been in effect and from now on Italian citizens are not obliged to
pay the television fee, and after a recent survey it was found that more
than half of Telepiu subscribers did not pay that fee anymore. Therefore
RAI is trying to protect its interests by encrypting its channels. A
system has not been announced, but IRDETO would be a logacal choice.
(SME, source: SAT-Corfu)
HOT BIRD 3, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb3.shtml
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* Radio Amistad is back in the FT Globecast package on 12,380 V,
MPEG-2/clear, APID 3532, SID 3502.
* Bartok Radio has started behind MTV 2 on 12,130 H: 7,74:7,92 MHz.
(SATCO DX)
* The Antenna Hungaria-Eutelsat Digital Platform on transponder 72,
12,149 V, widebeam, MPEG-2/clear, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, has been amended
Wednesday according following IDs:
96/ 97/7201 Polonia 1(test) Polonia 1
112/ 113/7202 AH-EDP-2 Colorbars "Antenna Hungaria"
128/ 129/7203 AH-EDP-3 Colorbars "Antenna Hungaria"
144/ 145/7204 AH-EDP-4 Black Screen/No Audio
160/ 161/7220 Viva(test) VIVA/right audio only
176/ 177/7221 Viva2(test) Viva Zwei
8191/8191/7222 Data Multimedia/Internet
8191/8191/7223 Data Multimedia/Internet
(VIVA did start already earlier this week on PIDs 120/121).
(SME)
HOT BIRD 4, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb4.shtml
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* Carribean Channel Mysik Karayb are irregularely testing on 10,719 V,
widebeam, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, PIDs 4353/4354.
The channel will be launched August 9, into three digital bouquets.
(SATCO DX)
Renewed tests could be observed with following IDs (in order of
loading):
8191/8191/7602 Balard 5 VPID/APID not set
4353/4354/7622 Balard 3 Mysik Karayb (AWA Tests, irregular)
/ /7651 ........ Does not load, neither in normal
/ /7653 ........ nor in advanced search,
/ /7654 ........ but in the SID list.
5634/5633/7852 Balard Live (test) Worldnet USA/no logo
(SME)
* Transponder 83, 12.360 H, widebeam, is almost daily tested for hours
and hours in different modes, high and low level, signal transmissions
etc.
The Canal+ Polska package is supposed to start in September on this
transponder. Do they possibly also intend to use transponder 95, 12,616
H, widebeam ? Various testing has been observed on this, initially by
Slowenia reserved transponder (now transponder 117, 10.853 GHz).
* The Telespazio package on transponder 98, 12,673 V, widebeam,
MPEG-2/clear, has got a few new channels on Thursday evening:
200/ 201/4201 Thaicom Thai TV5 Global Network
210/ 211/4202 Hot Bird Channel FUCINO E/S blue band test card
220/ 221/4203 Service 3 (TS2) Colorbars with text/no audio
230/ 231/4204 Service 4 (TS2) Colorbars with text/no audio
8191/8191/4212 Internet Data Internet Data
TEXT in the COLORBARS:
HB 4 XPD 98
PIATTAFORMA TELESPAZIO
DIGITALE DIGITAL
TELESPAZIO PLATFORM
(SME)
EUTELSAT II-f2, 10 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f2.shtml
--------------
* RTS feeds on 11,581 H, MPEG-2, SR 5632, FEC 3/4.
(SATCO DX)
INTELSAT 707, 1 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i707.shtml
------------
* The PIDs and SIDs for the Egyptian package on 4,135 L, have been
updated, please refer to the SATCO DX chart.
(SME)
NILESAT 101, 7 West, http://www.satcodx.com/nile101.shtml
-----------
* A few more Egyptian radio channels added, please refer to the SATCO DX
chart.
(SATCO DX)
* On transponder 3, 11,766 GHz, H, appeared two changed names in the
channel list: RS 504, Pids 1004/1204 (additional Radio on APID 1304),
sowie RS 508, PIDs 1008/1208 (additional Radio on APID 1308), both with
a Philips test card.
(SME)
* The test channel with SID 508, had occasional feeds this week, with on
the preview colorbar testcard "VC VIDEO CAIRO Sat".
* The Radio on this channel is occasional on APID 1208 and 1308,
depending if a feed is expectated or not. On VPID 1004 is a Philips test
card.
* The Radio belonging to SID 504 is now permanently on APID 1304, APID
1204 is empty. On VPID 1008 is a Philips testcard.
(SME)
PANAMSAT 3R, 43 West, http://www.satcodx.com/pas3r.shtml
-----------
* NHK World feed in NTSC/clear on 12,701 V, European beam, audio
6,20/6,80 MHz.
(SME)
Best regards,
Henk C. Room / Cairo - Egypt
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