id MAA03595; Fri, 9 Jan 1998 12:30:31 -0600
From: "Gary Torrens" 
Satellite Journal Weekly
Volume 6
January 4, 1998
PanAmSat taps Amadou Diop
ORBCOMM Satellites Begin In-Orbit Testing
CBS Eye on Primestar
Satellite Changes on Broadcasters' Agenda
Skynet 4D
NEW TELESAT SATELLITE
ORBCOMM Establishes Communication with Eighth Satellite
PanAmSat taps Amadou Diop
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PanAmSat Corporation has named Amadou Diop as the company's new regional
director, Africa. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr. Diop will be
responsible for sales and marketing activities in the region as well as
developing and maintaining customer and diplomatic relations.
ORBCOMM Satellites Begin In-Orbit Testing
-----------------------------------------
Orbital Sciences Corporation has started the in-orbit check-out of seven of
the eight new ORBCOMM data communications satellites launched last Tuesday
by the company.  Orbital's Pegasus XL launch vehicle placed the eight
90-pound digital communications satellites into a precise orbit with an
altitude of approximately 820 kilometres (510 miles) above the Earth.  Since
the launch, the satellite control team located at Dulles, Virginia has made
substantial progress in determining the state-of-health and carrying out
early performance testing of the satellites.
At the present time, seven of the eight satellites are in normal
communications with the ground network and are being tested in preparation
for commercial operations, which are expected to commence in about three
months. The eighth satellite has not yet been contacted by the ground,
although satellite controllers are conducting various engineering procedures
to establish communications with the remaining satellite.  In addition,
while one of the other satellites is generating reduced electrical power
levels, its effect on overall constellation performance is expected to be
minimal.  The company currently believes that a single satellite deployment
anomaly may account for both of these observed effects.
CBS Eye on Primestar
--------------------
CBS Eye on People is now available to Primestar customers. The channel is
part of the basic PrimeValue package. Eye on People is also available on
DirecTV.
Satellite Changes on Broadcasters' Agenda
Good news for DBS owners may come as soon as mid January. Broadcasters are
close to an agreement that would allow satellite TV companies to offer
subscribers a package of programming that includes their local TV stations.
The National Association of Broadcasters will hold its annual board meeting
mid January and a plan to allow DBS providers access to local signals
possible. The expected compromise will likely require the DBS services to
'must carry' all stations in a market it wishes to cover.
Skynet 4D
---------
Boeing and Matra Marconi Space are set to launch a United Kingdom Ministry
of Defence communications satellite aboard a Delta II rocket, Jan. 9 from
Cape Canaveral Air Station, Fla.
The 73-minute launch window opens at 6:38 p.m. EST.  Matra Marconi Space
built the satellite, Skynet 4D.  It is the first of three spacecraft
replacing the existing satellites in order to extend the Skynet 4
communications system.  The Stage 2 satellite is an enhanced version of the
existing Skynet 4 satellites and two similar NATO IV spacecraft.  The new
version incorporates steerable antennas for super-high-frequency spot-beam
communications, increased power and greater anti-jamming capability.
This is the first Delta launch scheduled for 1998, a year in which 18
launches are currently scheduled.  Boeing will also roll out its newest
expendable rocket this year with the maiden flight of Delta III.  Delta III
is the first US launch vehicle designed and developed for the commercial
satellite industry.  The Delta III can lift more than four tons into
geosynchonous transfer orbit, twice the payload capacity of the Delta II.
NEW TELESAT SATELLITE
---------------------
 Entertainers Bryan Adams and Dan Aykroyd are part of a panel of famous
Canadians that will select the name of Telesat Canada's new direct broadcast
satellite from among thousands of entries submitted by Canadians. Telesat
has received more than 6,000 possible satellite names since launching its
National Satellite Contest in November - and the company released some of
the more unusual entries received so far.
Some entrants focus on the satellite's power - offering names such as The
Boss of the Future, The Mother of All Satellites and El Nino. Others (no
doubt direct-to-home TV fans) hail its coming with grandiose possibilities
such as Earth Guru; Universal Beam, Galaxy Love, The Phunk-a-Tron; Sweet
Balm of Berceuse and Bird of Paradise.
An amazing number of people are eager for their own chance at immortality,
suggesting versions of their own first names - Tele-Simon; Celestial Ned,
The Reza-Max 2000; Gord; SuperRod; Dave and Bub.
Other entrants draw their inspiration from pop culture - Canada's Third Rock
from the Sun; Princess Leia Launcher; Big Bird; and Buzz Lightyear.
A final group takes to heart the need for the name to be distinctly
Canadian - The Celestial Maple; Nucker Canucker; Shiny Beaver;
Mountie-Vision; Poutine; and Itzarz' (i.e., "It's ours, eh?").
Entries from Canadians must be received by February 13, 1998, and should be
sent to Telesat c/o Environics Communications, 33 Bloor Street East, Suite
900, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3H1. Canadians can also enter the contest and
find more information on Telesat's Website www.telesat.ca, or by calling
1-800-520-0002.
ORBCOMM Establishes Communication with Eighth Satellite
-------------------------------------------------------
ORBCOMM reports that its Network Control Center has established ground
communication with all eight new satellites that were launched on December
23 aboard an Orbital Sciences Corporation Pegasus XL rocket. The eighth
satellite appears to be healthy and is currently undergoing initial
checkout.
Now in our fifth year and the first 'satellite news' service
On the World Wide Web (Jan 1994)
Visit our WebStand at http://www.satjournal.com
Satellite Journal Weekly--a news journal for
satellite professionals and enthusiasts.
SJI is produced in Burleson, Texas USA and Brantford, Ontario Canada.
Comments or news items may be sent to:
Internet E-mail: satellite_journal@Compuserve.com
Or
Satellite Journal International
PO Box 2065 Burleson Texas 76097- 2065 USA
Or
Merriam & Torrens Advertising Inc.
PO Box 23058 Brantford Ontario Canada N3T-6K4
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