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Sat-ND, 3.8.97
Sat-ND, 03.08.97 -- How bizarre, how bizarre
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Today's Headlines
LAUNCHES
OrbView 2 launched
Thor III on Delta II
Telesat supports Mabuhay
SATELLITES
Mooo! Cows and satellites -- finally
Iridium sends signals
Inmarsat-3 series complete
CHANNELS
ANN -- more than just a news channel
UK Home and Gardening
SuperCableStation
Discovery on PAS-5
BUSINESS
Lockheed's 'Power Center'
LAW & ORDER
The Lebanon goes cable
New Zealand, can you hear me?
More commercial blurb on TV screens
DIGITAL
Spanish digital wars continue
Kirch Group favours porn on pay-TV
Editorial note
No, this is no regular Sat-ND yet. And sorry, I haven't answered most
email inquiries yet. However, it seems that the worst is over now, so
Sat-ND will hopefully return to normal operation by Thursday or so.
LAUNCHES
OrbView 2 launched
A Pegasus XL rocket successfully delivered the OrbView-2 multi-
spectral imaging satellite into its targeted low-Earth orbit. Initial
communications were established with the OrbView-2 satellite
approximately 25 minutes after it separated from Pegasus, with initial
data indicating that the satellite's main systems are operating as
expected.
Over the next several weeks, Orbital will conduct more extensive
spacecraft checkout procedures on the OrbView-2 satellite. During that
same period, OrbView-2 will propel itself from its initial parking
orbit to its final operational altitude by using onboard hydrazine
propulsion. The spacecraft will then be prepared to collect imagery
for commercial and scientific purposes.
OrbView-2 was built by Orbital at its Dulles, Va. and Germantown, Md.
spacecraft manufacturing facilities, and will be operated by Orbimage,
the company's Earth-imaging satellite services subsidiary. It is the
world's first privately owned satellite to provide multispectral (
colour) images of the Earth's ocean and land surfaces that will be
used by commercial customers and scientific researchers. OrbView-2
carries the eight-channel SeaWiFS instrument, built by GM/Hughes
Electronics Corp., that produces these high-quality images.
Thor III on Delta II
McDonnell Douglas has been awarded a contract to launch Telenor of
Norway's Thor III communications satellite in July 1998 on a Delta II
expendable rocket. The order was announced by the satellite's
manufacturer, Hughes Space and Communications International, Inc., and
its operator Telenor.
The launch will support an August on-orbit delivery to Telenor, which
will use Thor III to expand its services to European television
markets. The satellite initially will have 14 active Ku-band
transponders to provide direct-to-home television programming to the
Scandinavian countries and to the nations of central and eastern
Europe.
Like its predecessors in the Thor series, Thor III has an estimated
life span of 11 years. It will join Thor II, launched May 20 of this
year from Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla., and Thor I, which was
boosted into orbit in August 1990. Thor II provides up to 75 digital
TV channels to the Telenor system, and Thor I currently serves more
than 750,000 customers with dish antennas and additional cable TV
viewers throughout Scandinavia.
McDonnell Douglas is the world's largest builder of military aircraft,
and the third largest commercial aircraft manufacturer (and tomorrow,
August 4, will officially complete its merger with Boeing Co.)
Telesat supports Mabuhay
Telesat Canada signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Mabuhay
Philippines Satellite Corporation (MPSC) for project management and
engineering consulting services and the provision of Telesat's Flight
Dynamics System (FDS) for the Agila-3 broadcast and communications
satellite.
Telesat Canada already had been awarded a contract in 1995 to provide
technical consulting services for the design, construction, launch and
in-orbit testing of the Agila-2 satellite including technical training
to MPSC engineers in the area of satellite operations and control. The
Agila-2 satellite, an FS1300 spacecraft, will... okay, may be launched
the first week of August on-board a Chinese Long March Vehicle. Agila-
2 will be the largest spacecraft in the FS1300 series both in overall
dimension and total number of active communications transponders.
"Agila-3 will be the third multi-purpose communications satellite
already on the drawing boards of MPSC together with a series of
satellites planned up to the year 2000. On the eve of the launching of
Agila-2, we are already moving ahead to provide the critical support
structure for Agila-3. We look forward to having Telesat Canada aboard
on this project," said Cesar G. Reyes, President of MPSC.
Telesat is Canada's satellite communications company, providing
telecommunications and broadcast distribution services throughout
North America. Established in 1969, Telesat sees itself as a world
leader in satellite communications and systems management, exporting
its capabilities to more than 20 countries around the globe.
Mabuhay Philippines Satellite Corporation (MPSC) is responsible for
the installation, operation and maintenance of the Agila satellite
system. Its objective is to meet the requirements of the Philippine
telecommunications market and that of Southeast Asia, mainland China,
the Indian subcontinent and the Pacific Rim.
SATELLITES
Mooo! Cows and satellites -- finally
Meet Marguerite and Claudie, two attractive cows who live on a
mountainside 1.1 kilometres up near Clermont-Ferrand in central France.
Together with a mare [a female horse] called Garance, they will write
science history as they are part of an unprecedented experiment to
monitor grazing from space.
Satellite beacons strapped to the hides of Marguerite, Claudie and
Garance enable computer-based herdsmen to see whether animals are
better than machines or chemicals at clearing mountain pastures.
The transmitters show the animals' position to about 10 feet every
five seconds.
The animals are among 36 cows and 12 horses in two separate herds in
the area being used in the experiment by the National Institute of
Agronomic Research (INRA.)
"This will allow us to see if cows and horses are complementary in
their grazing habits," said NRA researcher Didier Micol.
Farmers have steadily abandoned such upland areas as unprofitable.
Micol said it would be impossible for human herdsmen to keep such
close track of the animals there. "We thought of putting solar panels
on the cows instead of using batteries for the satellite beacons, but
it was too difficult," he added.
Unfortunately, news reports did not elaborate on the satellite system
that is going to be used -- it's either UDDERTRACS or UDDERSAT, I
guess.
Iridium sends signals
The first Iridium system satellite-to-ground mobile paging and radio
communications links have been established by Motorola, making them
the first such transmissions to be conducted by a low-earth orbit,
mobile satellite communications system.
On July 3, an Iridum satellite transmitted hundreds of messages to
prototype pagers during a pass over Motorola's Satellite
Communications Group (SCG) Chandler facility. The first links between
the satellite and Iridium prototype phone handsets were made July 7. [
It took those guys quite a while to tell the public.]
The satellite-to-ground links originated from an Iridium satellite
launched on May 5. The satellite transmitted programmed, alphanumeric
messages to the prototype pagers. The pagers are being designed by
Motorola's Messaging Systems Products Group. The signals transmitted
to the prototype phones were ring channel bursts signals that will
enable Iridium subscriber handsets to locate and acquire a satellite
to initiate and receive voice, data and fax messages. The handsets
will look for a ring channel burst every time they are activated.
Inmarsat-3 series complete
The fourth satellite in the Inmarsat-3 series, one of the world's most
advanced communications spacecraft, entered service on schedule on
July 26, completing the third generation Inmarsat system.
With the activation of the satellite's global beam, Inmarsat's
commercial maritime, aeronautical and land mobile communications
systems will benefit from increased capacity. The new satellite is
already carrying traffic for these systems. In about a week, the
satellite's spotbeams will be activated, bringing virtual global
coverage for Inmarsat's new lightweight portable satellite phone.
Inmarsat-3 F4, launched aboard an Ariane 4 rocket from Kourou, French
Guiana on June 3, has replaced Inmarsat's previous generation Atlantic
Ocean West region satellite, now a system backup
The spacecraft reached its on-station location of 54 degrees west on
Thursday, July 24. Inmarsat's network operations centre in London then
spent two days making final adjustments to the satellite to ensure a
smooth transition into service.
On July 26, the network operations centre directed each of the seven
land earth stations in the Atlantic Ocean West region to steer their
antennas away from the former satellite towards the new Inmarsat-3 F4.
The fifth and final satellite in the Inmarsat-3 series will be
launched on an Ariane 4 rocket from Kourou. The satellite will serve
as a spare for the Inmarsat constellation, expanding system capacity
and enabling Inmarsat to lease any excess space segment. Liftoff is
scheduled for December.
Inmarsat-3 has enabled the introduction of the Inmarsat-phone a range
of satellite phones smaller than an A4 laptop computer, with advanced
features found in cellular systems such as smart cards and in future,
short message service and voice-mail. Inmarsat-phones weigh about 2.2
kg including the battery, and offer voice, 2.4 kbit/s data and fax
services.
CHANNELS
ANN -- more than just a news channel
Of course, it's a pretty strange move to name an Arabic news channel
ANN (Arab News Network,) explicitly indicating the channel was an
alternative to CNN. But the channel that recently appeared on a
Eutelsat satellite is not just a TV station. It may be part of a
struggle for power in Syria.
ANN's chairman Suommar al-Assad (26) happens to be the nephew of
Syrian president Hafez al-Assad. But it isn't a government channel as
Samwar's father, Rifat al-Assad, has clashed with his older brother
Hafez (the president) on several occasions. Actually, Rifat and his
son Suommar were expelled in 1984 after trying to grab power while his
brother was ill. In 1992, he returned to Syria and has kept a low
profile since then although officially holding the title of vice
president.
ANN claims to be not only an Arabic-language alternative to CNN but
also the first truly independent news channel for the region (
programming is, by the way, produced in London.) The around-the-clock
news programming in Arabic will mainly supported by advertising
revenues. Most existing Arabic satellite broadcasters have direct or
indirect links to governments, and self-censorship reportedly is
common among them. ANN, a US$100-million venture, has has hired staff
from Middle East Broadcasting Corp., as well as Qatar's al-Jazirah
service (both also well-known to satellite viewers.)
Back in Syria, ANN programmes are closely watched, at least by the
government. When a meeting of Rifat al-Assad with Saudi Arabia's crown
prince was covered, Syrian authorities responded by arresting Rifat's
press officer, Amnesty International said.
Suommar meanwhile is reported to plan the launch a pan-Arab political
party next month that will be dedicated to promoting democracy and the
rights of ethnic and religious minorities. He insists his father isn't
involved with Arab News Network or with the new political party.
UK Home and Gardening
U.S. Home & Garden Television is now also available in the United
Kingdom as Granada Television's Good Life Channel is airing blocks of
HGTV's original programming. This represents HGTV's fifth major
international distribution agreement reached within the past year.
Granada Television airs two hours of branded HGTV programming each
weekday, and three hours on Sunday on the Good Life Channel. The
Granada Good Life Channel is wholly owned by Granada Sky Broadcasting (
GSkyB), which is a joint venture between Granada Television and
British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB).
"We are so impressed by the HGTV output and operation, which in many
ways complements ours on the Good Life Channel, said Dianne Nelmes,
Director of Programs for Granada Satellite Television. "The quality of
their programming is stunning, and we feel British audiences will
enjoy their variety and production values." [Well I'm stunned too.
Sounds just like HGTV has re-invented television.]
SuperCableStation
Turner Broadcasting System Inc., a unit of Time Warner Inc., said its
satellite-delivered TBS Superstation will become a cable network by
the end of the year.
The move will enable TBS to collect increased revenues from
advertising sales as well as cable operators. So, if the satellite
signal isn't scrambled yet, it will soon be. In Atlanta, however, TBS
will still be available terrestrially.
Discovery on PAS-5
PanAmSat Corp. announced that Discovery Communications Inc. has joined
the line-up of international television programmers on the PAS-5
Atlantic Ocean Region satellite, PanAmSat's third cable television
satellite for Latin America.
PAS-5, scheduled for launch on August 22, will provide DCI with
additional capacity to reach cable television audiences throughout the
Americas with access to Europe as well.
Under the long-term agreement, DCI will use an entire transponder on
the PAS-5 C-band Americas beam to distribute Animal Planet and People &
Arts, two new channels created by a joint venture between DCI and the
British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC). Both Discovery and the BBC currently
broadcast programming globally over PanAmSat's worldwide fleet of
international and domestic U.S. satellites.
BUSINESS
Lockheed's 'Power Center'
Lockheed Martin recently formally opened its new 'Communications and
Power Center' (CPC) in suburban Philadelphia, signalling "a new era in
space communications." The 420,000-square-foot plant produces
communications payloads, power components and other equipment
primarily for Lockheed Martin's space business units.
When fully occupied at year-end, the CPC will employ 1,400 people in
the design, assembly, integration and test of payloads and spacecraft
power systems for some of the world's most sophisticated
communications satellites. The payload is the functional part of a
satellite. A communications payload receives radio signals from earth,
amplifies and processes the signals, and relays them to one or more
points back on earth. Power components built at the CPC include
amplifiers, power converters, regulators and conditioners as well as
spacecraft batteries.
Hardware produced in Newtown will be shipped primarily to Lockheed
Martin's Sunnyvale facilities, including the corporation's new
Commercial Satellite Center, for integration with the satellite bus.
The Commercial Satellite Center opened in late 1996 as part of a
facility consolidation that transfers Missiles & Space work now
performed in East Windsor, N.J., and Valley Forge, Pa., into the
Sunnyvale operations. The CPC was sited between those facilities to
draw from their wealth of microwave, power electronics, antenna and
communications processing expertise.
LAW & ORDER
The Lebanon goes cable
Lebanese television viewers are switching to pirate cable networks
following a cabinet decision to shut down unlicensed terrestrial TV
stations, Beirut's newspaper The Daily Star reported.
After the cabinet clamp-down on unlicensed audio-visual media outlets,
a growing number of people switch to a cable market that is by no
means less illegal. This also lead to certain a boost in sales of
satellite equipment which is not used for individual reception but for
feeding channels into cable networks. Without them, however sales for
individual satellite reception equipment would be up to three times
higher, experts estimated.
New Zealand, can you hear me?
The New Zealand government has decided to enhance the capabilities of
a satellite monitoring station used to collect foreign communications
and intelligence.
Prime Minister Jim Bolger said a second antenna would be constructed
at the monitoring station, situated in a rural area at the top of New
Zealand's South Island. Bolger also said that an Order in Council had
been signed by the governor general exempting the station from
provisions in the Crimes Act, which until now prohibited the
collection of foreign voice communications.
The prime minister stressed that the new powers were strictly confined
to the collection of foreign communications that contain, or may
reasonably be expected to contain, foreign intelligence. [Wishy-washy,
of course: what's "reasonably"? For instance, how can you know a text
message contains whatever you're looking for without reading it first?
Very funny indeed.]
More commercial blurb on TV screens
Britain's television watchdog said it approved changes that will allow
cable, satellite and new digital channels to carry additional home-
shopping advertising and open the way to the licensing of self-
promotional channels.
The Independent Television Commission (ITC), the regulator for Britain'
s commercial television channels, said the changes reflect provisions
of the revised European Union Directive on "Television Without
Frontiers" adopted last Wednesday.
The EU Directive was revised to permit up to three hours per day of
home-shopping windows, including infomercials and advertorials. The
allowance is in addition to existing amounts of advertising and tele-
shopping spots, the ITC said.
All this regulating stuff is nothing but bullshit, of course -- as all
Europeans know, there are several 24-hour home-shopping channels
available on satellite, despite all regulation efforts. Bodies such as
Britain's ITC or various regional German media authorities in the past
didn't give a f*** about any regulations and instead licensed QVC, HOT
and such, offering various rather weird excuses -- generally because
those channels meant not only more tax revenues for the licensing
country but also license fees for those generous authorities.
By the way: the ITC said its changes do not affect existing
regulations on advertising and tele-shopping on Britain's three
commercial terrestrial channels (ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.)
DIGITAL
Spanish digital wars continue
Canal Satelite Digital, the Canal+ backed digital television platform
in Spain, has filed a complaint with the European Union Competition
Commission against Telefonica de Espana's purchase of a 25 percent
stake in Antena 3 television station and a controlling stake in its
GMA subsidiary.
It said the Antena 3 buy represented an abuse of Telefonica's dominant
position. Telefonica's Antena 3 purchase will give it an indirect 15
percent stake in Canal Satelite itself, as well as access to football [
soccer] rights that are regarded as crucial to make the digital
platforms profitable.
The commission should urgently open an infringement case against the
Spanish telecommunications giant, Canal Satelite said.
Kirch Group wants porn TV
Leo Kirch, owner and operator of of Germany's DF1 digital TV service
as well as co-owner of several free-to-air TV stations, is not just a
Catholic. He's an active, pious Catholic.
When Thomas Löffelholz, editor-in-chief of the German newspaper Die
Welt, in an editorial rejected a Bavarian decree that dictates a
crucifix to be displayed in every school classroom, Kirch himself
demanded Löffelholz be sacked. Fortunately, he did not succeed. (Kirch
owns up to 40 percent of Axel Springer Verlag, publisher of Die Welt.)
But when it comes to money, or rather: to avoid the disaster that
digital TV will inevitably become in Germany, Kirch's officials know
no scruples. According to a report in tomorrow's "Focus" magazine, a
Kirch spokesman demanded hard-core movies be shown on German pay-TV.
While pornography is not illegal in Germany, it may not be distributed
to the public on television, no matter whether pay-TV or free-to-air.
Well, what would pope John Paul II say? Would he excommunicate Leo
Kirch? Hope so, because I know just one word for his company's
attitude: sanctimonious.
Copyright 08/97 by Peter C. Klanowski, pck@LyNet.De. All rights
reserved.
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