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SAT-MidEast 98.07.24
WELCOME TO SAT-MIDEAST !
A news release from Cairo, Egypt, located at 31.15 East - 30.3 North,
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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,
- archive of observations, features & news for the Middle East.
- SAT-MidEast: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hall/2878/
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HOW TO CONTACT SAT-MIDEAST:
Send relevant infos, interesting news, and creative comments to :
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HS 601 DIFFICULTIES
-------------------
PanAmSat has held a meeting with major telecommunications customers in a
hotel in New York City recently to discuss problems the company
experienced with its Hughes HS-601 based satellites.
Reportedly, a team of up to 100 Hughes engineers has pinpointed a relay
(a rather simple electromechanical component) as the root of all evil. A
short in that component, caused by a mechanism described as "dentritic
growth" [which is being experimented with in microgravity but in this
case is an unwanted side effect] is said to have triggered the following
chain of events.
The results looked a bit different on any of the satellites involved.
Those which have C-band transponders aboard lost some of them
temporarily. It happened to Galaxy VII on June 13, 1998 - after that,
the primary Satellite Control Processor (SCP) was defunct. It happened
to Galaxy IV on June 13, 1997 - after that, the secondary SCP was dead
which went unnoticed until May 19, 1998 when a similar failure killed
the satellite's primary SCP.
All that happened seems to have happened to DBS-1 as well, but it's
neither an PanAmSat bird nor does it carry any C-band capacity.
Nonetheless, it's a Hughes HS 601HP (high power) model that may have
suffered from a similar failure.
Anyway, it seems that the SCP's aren't really dead but have become
unable to communicate with the devices they should control, such as the
momentum wheel, etc. In computer terms, they have become "read-only
devices." In the end, it makes no difference at all.
(SME, source: Peter C. Klanowski, SAT-ND, http://www.sat-nd.com)
ISRAELI DTH BROADCASTING
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* The sub-committee of the Knesset Finance Committee approved on July
9th the Bezeq regulations regarding the procedures and conditions for
awarding a licence to operate satellite television broadcasts, after
inserting changes to the draft submitted by Minister of Communications
Limor Livnat, which opens the way for satellite broadcasting of TV
programmes, the communications ministry said.
Israeli viewers already have access to dozens of Israeli, Arab, European
and American channels via cable and DTH satellite reception.
The most significant amendment limits the validity of the licenses
operators will receive to ten years. In Livnat's proposal, the licence
had no time limit. The amendments require approval by the Finance
Committee plenum which is expected to give it's OK.
Three investor groups looking to win a license to broadcast by satellite
in Israel have already submitted tenders to parliament's finance
committee.
The committee has said that each operator should broadcast at least 10
channels, including Israel's three main channels. Three of the other
channels will have to be Hebrew-language or at least subtitled in
Hebrew, the committee has ruled.
In addition to TV programming, satellite broadcasting offers other
services such as the internet, electronic trading and telephone
services.
The communications ministry said that parliament's decision will apply
to television for the moment. Satellite broadcasters will be able to
offer additional services as the ministry opens the sector up to
competition.
Cable operators are upgrading their broadcasting systems to digital
transmissions; the first operator claims to go active already January
1st 1999.
The new arrangements regarding digital transmissions via Amos 1 by the
cable operators are part of the reactions toward the green light for DBS
services shortly to be announced here, despite some minor unsolved legal
issues.
In awaiting of the new legislation some operators are said to have
signed an agreement to lease initially one transponder on Amos 1. The
transmisions will serve as a continuous digital back-up for the locally
produced channels carried over the cable systems in Israel.
The advised channels are lined up as followed:
Channel 3 - series, sitcoms, soaps (NOT IBA-3 !)
Channel 4 - The Movie Channel
Channel 5 - The Sports channel
Channel 6 - The Children's channels
Channel 8 - Science and Nature (+ Open University Services: OFEK)
Operation time of this digital back-up channels is said to be in 3
months .
(SME, source: various)
PALESTIAN TV on NILESAT
-----------------------
The Palestinian Authority and an Israeli company have each asked for a
television channel on the Egyptian Nilesat-101 satellite put into orbit
at the end of April, a Nilesat representative said Wednesday.
The Palestinian Broadcasting Authority and an Israeli telecommunications
company have recently sent requests to the Egyptian Satellite Company:
Nilesat, to each rent a digital television channel, as reported by Salah
Hamza, the Chief Engineer of the Egyptian Satellite Company.
The start of the Palestinian TV is scheduled for early 199. The name of
the Israeli Up-linker, nor the eventuel (dis)approval, has not been
disclosed.
(SME, source: Anonymous)
SS/L TO BUILD ORION 2
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Loral Space & Communications announced today that Space Systems/Loral
(SS/L) will replace Matra Marconi Space as the prime contractor to build
the next Loral Orion Atlantic Ocean region satellite, ORION 2. This
satellite will significantly expand Loral Orion's existing European and
Americas coverage. SS/L will deliver Orion 2 in orbit in mid-1999.
The Orion 2 satellite, featuring 38 high-powered Ku-band transponders,
will cover all of Europe — from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains
- and large sections of North America and Latin America—from eastern
Canada to southern Argentina.
In addition, the satellite will deliver spot beam coverage of South
Africa.
"Orion 2, the third operational satellite behind our next-to-be-launched
Asian bird, Orion 3, will complete the current phase of Loral Orion's
global expansion," said Neil Bauer, president of Loral Orion. "From its
ideal orbital location at 12 degrees West, Orion 2 will provide service
to customers among the major business and population centers on the East
Coast of North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and South
Africa, using only one satellite."
The 10 kilowatt Orion 2 satellite will be based on SS/L's flight-proven
three-axis, body-stabilized FS-1300 bus, and will have a mass of 3,800
kg, when it is launched aboard an Ariane 44LP launch vehicle in May
1999. The spacecraft will have an expected lifetime of 16 years.
"SS/L has added features to its new design of the Orion 2 satellite that
expand its revenue potential," said Robert Berry, president of Space
Systems/Loral [Editor: in addition to its initial MMS design]. "These
features include eight additional transponders, more transmittable
power, an enhanced transponder switching capability, and three
additional years in expected lifetime."
(SME, source: SS/L PR)
SPACE-COPTER
----------------
We've heard quite a lot about reusable space vehicles in the making.
Rotary Rocket Company said is has begun constructing yet another one of
those, but in contrast to all the others it the company's Roton will
actually be the world's first piloted fully reusable space vehicle.
Rotary said in a statement it was on schedule to fly an approach and
landing demonstrator or "Atmospheric Test Vehicle" in the first half of
1999, and a propulsion flight test vehicle in the second half of 1999.
The Roton will be piloted during all development and operational flights
as this has proven to be the safest way of operating any air or space
vehicle. The Roton will, initially, be targeted at the burgeoning market
for deploying constellations of low Earth orbit (LEO) telecommunications
satellites.
"We will offer commercial service to low Earth orbit during the first
half of 2000, with cargo deployments and cargo retrievals supervised by
the Roton's two-person crew," said Gary Hudson, CEO.
Because the composite materials used for most major Roton parts are
simply and quickly replicated off inexpensive molds, Hudson noted, the
company will be able to build a stream of vehicles at modest incremental
cost. This will allow the company to pursue a variety of different
markets, flying frequently from launch sites all over the globe.
The Roton burns ordinary kerosene for fuel, compared to the much more
expensive liquid hydrogen used on the U.S. Space Shuttle and planned for
NASA's X-33 suborbital test vehicle. This will make the Roton
inexpensive to fly as well as inexpensive to build. Kerosene also is
denser than hydrogen, so the Roton will be more compact and consequently
easier and cheaper to develop than vehicles using the difficult to
handle supercold liquid hydrogen.
Now for the Rotary bit. The Roton lands using helicopter-style rotors.
These rotors are simply folded flat against the vehicle's sides during
powered flight. They are deployed during the descent, ensuring that the
Roton is fully under the control of its highly trained flight crew at
all times.
The "Rotary" in the company's name also refers to the RocketJet which
utilises centrifugal force to spin fuel and oxidiser out to dozens of
small combustors arranged in a ring pattern. The simple spin-fed design
eliminates the need for the heavy and expensive turbopumps that are used
in most current expendable rockets and the Space Shuttle.
For additional info check URL: http://www.rotaryrocket.com/
(SME, source: Peter C. Klanowski, SAT-ND, http://www.sat-nd.com)
LAUNCH INFORMATION, http://www.satcodx.com/launches.shtml
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* The launch date for ST 1 with Ariane has been confirmed for 25 August.
* Galaxy 10 with a Delta seems to be scheduled for the same date at
00:40 UTC.
* Eutelsat SESAT on a Proton launcher is delayed from 25 December to
February.
(SATCO DX)
THAICOM 3, 78.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/thai78.shtml
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* Channel "A-21" from Bangladesh has started testing on 3,515 V, PAL,
6,60/7,02 MHz. Other A-21 promos can be seen on 3,536 V and 3,555 V,
PAL.
These broadcasts are on the Asian beam which can hardly be received in
the Levante and Middle Africa
(SATCO DX)
APSTAR 2R, 76.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/apstar2r.shtml
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* ITV/IMS Hong Kong shows promotional trailers on 3,760 H, with audio
on 6,60 MHz.
* Chinese CCTV 1 has tested last week on 4,010 H, MPEG-2/clear, SR 6111,
FEC 3/4. The launch of the Sinosat 1 satellite on a Long March 3B
launcher has been observed on this frequency.
(SME, source: N.Schlammer)
PANAMSAT 4, 68.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/pas4.shtml
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* Maharishi Veda Vision has moved from 3,932 H to transponder 8C, 3,905
V, PAL, Asian beam.
(SME, source: N.Schlammer)
GORIZONT 32, 53 East, http://www.satcodx.com/g32.shtml
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* A "Muz TV" test card has started on 11,525 R, MPEG-2/clear, SID 5,
PIDs 1560/1520. Only the C-Band beam is receivable in the Levante.
(SATCO DX)
TURKSAT 1C, 42 East, http://www.satcodx.com/turk1c.shtml
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* Kanal 6 has returned to 11,072 H, PAL/clear, Turkish beam.
(SATCO DX)
* TRT International - mainly for Europe - moved from 11,469 V to 11,093
V, PAL/clear, TV audio on 6,60 and 7,02 MHz, West beam.
TRT FM radio station uses now a sub-carrier at 7,20 MHz and an other
Turkish radio station can be found on 7,92 MHz.
(SATCO DX)
* On July 20th, Bayrak TV - from the Turkish part of Cyprus - has
temporary been broadcasting on 11,508 V, MPEG-2/clear, SR 4556, FEC 5/6.
(SATCO DX)
ARABSAT 2A, 26 East, http://www.satcodx.com/arab2a.shtml
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* Tunesian TV 7 on 12,563 H , as part of the 1st Net package, is now
encrypted.
(SME)
EUTELSAT II-f3, 16 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f3.shtml
--------------
* Turkish Hakk TV has finally left 11,680 H.
(SATCO DX)
* Channel Bizzare has started regular transmissions on 11,163 H,
D2-MAC/Eurocrypt.
(SATCO DX)
* Occasional feeds could be observed on 11,632 H, MPEG-2, SR 6110, FEC
3/4.
(SATCO DX)
* Daily German Tour de France feeds for "das Erste" and SR have changed
from MPEG-2 to PAL on 11.596 H, with audio on 6.60 MHz.
EUTELSAT II-f1, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f1.shtml
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* Data service Net-On-Air (NOA) on transponder 27, V, will cease on the
frequency just below the DW TV transmissions.
SME Comment: DW TV has leased on 11.163 V transponder space on Hot Bird
5 and will from there broadcast with only a 27 MHz bandwidth, instead of
33 MHz now.
(SME, source: Eutelsat)
HOT BIRD 1, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb1.shtml
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* Bloomberg has TeleText on transponder 2, 11.242 V, MPEG-2/clear.
(SME, source: Eutelsat)
HOT BIRD 2, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb2.shtml
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* UAE Radio Dubai on 11,747 H has moved back from 7,20 to 7,02 MHz.
(SATCO DX)
HOT BIRD 3, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb3.shtml
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* Italian pay TV broadcaster D+ has started to use 12,418 V, widebeam,
MPEG-2/IRDETO/Mediaguard, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, line-up: Cine Cinema 1/2,
Marco Polo, Cine Classics, Seasons, Planete and Canal Jimmy.
(SATCO DX)
* The Canal+ Polski promotional tests on 12,466 V, MPEG-2/clear,
widebeam, have ceased. They have been on air to be presented on a press
conference in Warsaw, Poland.
(SATCO DX)
* TV Slovenija 1 & 2 on 12,303 V are appearently only partly encrypted.
(SATCO DX)
* CFI Proche et Moyen Orient Pro is on 12,245 H, MPEG-2/Viaccess, PIDs
126/136, SID 106, 08-13 CET.
(SATCO DX)
* Eros TV has started on 12,149 V, MPEG-2/clear, PIDs 112/113, SID 7202.
(SATCO DX)
* The occasional World Cup soccer feeds on 12,380 V, (ORT) PIDs
3025/3035), have ceased.
(SATCO DX)
HOT BIRD 4, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb4.shtml
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* Eutelsat Krisma (Charisma ?) has started on 10,719 V, MPEG-2/clear,
PIDs 4865/4866, SID 7702.
(SATCO DX)
* Colour bars have started on 12,654 H, MPEG-2/clear, PIDs 1060/1020.
(SATCO DX)
* Telespazio Network from Italy tests its PPV channels on transponder
100, 12.713 V, MPEG-2/clear, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3.
(SME, source: Eutelsat)
* The radio station in the Arabsat package on 12,654 H, APID 1620, SID
23, is "General Arabic", from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
(SATCO DX)
EUTELSAT II-f2, 10 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f2.shtml
--------------
* Occasional feeds could be observed on 12,712 V, MPEG-2, SR 6000, FEC
3/4.
(SATCO DX)
SIRIUS 2, 5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/sirius.shtml
--------
* Merlin Communications of the UK displays two "Snell & Wilcox" test
cards on 12,111 H, MPEG-2/encrypted, SR 19100, FEC 3/4, PIDs 48/49 and
50/51, SIDs 1 and 2, European beam.
(SATCO DX)
NILESAT 101, 7 West, http://www.satcodx.com/nile101.shtml
-----------
* Tunesian TV 7 on 11,881 H, as part of the 1st Net package is now
encrypted.
(SATCO DX)
* Iraq Satellite Channel with BITV - Baghdad International TV -
programming content, has returned to 11,862 V, PAL/clear, 6,50 MHz,
after an absence of about 36 hours. A new on-screen logo was displayed.
Broadcasting hours seem to be variable, but mainly in the late
afternoon, early evening.
(SME)
SME Comment: The initial speech of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was
transmitted last week, in opposition of my reporting, I gort the timing
completely wrong ..... and missed it. Therefore: I'm sad ;-)
GORIZONT 26, 11 West, http://www.satcodx.com/g26.shtml
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* ORT has left 3,815 R (SECAM).
(SME)
INTELSAT 801, 31.5 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i801.shtml
------------
* Empty test carriers could be observed on 3,740 R and 4,002 R, East
hemispheric beam.
(SATCO DX)
ECHOSTAR 3, 61.5 West, http://satcodx.com/echo3.shtml
----------
* Not receivable in the Levante and Middle East, but for US-travelling
family members of a certain importance:
Three new channels started 14 July on the DISH Network:
Channel 642 ART America
Channel 643 ART America Movies
Channel 644 LBC America
They are presently transmitted clear, but scheduled to be encrypted on
31 July.
For details please check the SATCO DX chart, with the DISH Network.
(SATCO DX)
SAT-MIDEAST INTERN, http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hall/2878/
------------------
Due to the expected ceasure of the present home of the SAT-MidEast
Satellite Information pages at sat-net.com, a new location had to be
found.
I'm proud to announce that the SAT-MidEast site has started on:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hall/2878/
and urge all readers of the SAT-MidEast reports and other interessents
to update their current bookmark file with the new address, in order NOT
to loose this valuable contact in the future.
The HTML version of the weekly SAT-MidEast report (this meaningless
essay) is also uploaded there as the latest news. A text-only copy is
easily down-loadable as well.
The SAT-MidEast pages at sat-net.com are still existing, but will NOT be
updated after July 31st! From August 1st, the only actual SAT-MidEast
version is presented on the new geocities.com location.
(SME)
ASK-ME INTERN, http://www.sat-net.com/listserver/ask-me/
-------------
The ASK-ME Q&A service will be terminated with an upcoming final
mailing, due to the expected closure of the mail server.
Sorry folks, life means change, like it or not.
(SME)
Best regards,
Henk C. Room / Cairo - Egypt
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