Services will be introduced in the market through
leased transponders in early 1998 and subsequently through
dedicated geostationary satellites in 1999 and a
constellation of LEO satellites in 2001.
The $1.6 billion CyberStar system is a geostationary
satellite-based open protocol, digital telecommunications
system that will offer a variety of low-cost, high-speed,
data and telecommunications services World-Wide from leased
Ku-band satellite transponders beginning in late 1997, and
through a dedicated constellation of geosynchronous Ka-band
satellites beginning in 1999.
CyberStar services will be delivered through a
constellation of three interconnected geostationary
satellites positioned over the Americas, Europe and the
Middle East, and Asia. The satellites will integrate with a
network of terrestrial systems. The first of three
CyberStar satellites is scheduled for launch and operation
in 1999.
The $3.5 billion SkyBridge system, based on 64 low-
earth-orbit satellites, will provide bandwidth on demand at
very competitive prices for residential and business
customers, ranging from high-speed Internet access to highly
interactive services including World-Wide enterprise
networking and video-conferencing.
SkyBridge is scheduled to enter service in 2001 with a half
constellation of 32 satellites, doubling capacity with an
additional 32 as demand builds up and revenue starts
flowing. The services of SkyBridge will be delivered World-
Wide to final users through local and regional service
From: Satjournal@aol.com
providers.
New universal Ku-band combiner
Andrew Corporation has introduced a new Universal Ku-
Band combiner. Designed to address a wide variety of Ku-Band
frequency ranges, the Universal Ku-Band combiner can be used
on Andrew Corporation's 3.7, 4.6, 5.6 and 7.6 metre earth
station antennas.
The combiner is the portion of the feed system that
converts signals provided either from or to the satellite.
In receive mode, the combiner receives a signal from the
satellite and separates the frequencies and polarisation
into different ports. In transmit mode, the combiner takes
signals from the separate ports and combines them into one
signal which is sent up the combiner body to the feed horn
and on to the satellite.
Users of the Universal Ku-Band combiner can select from
either a two- or a four-port version. The two-port version
covers the frequency bands of receive 10.7-13.25 GHz and
transmit 13.75-14.8 GHz.
The four-port version provides two frequency options:
Option 1 covers the receive 10.7-12.75 GHz and transmit
13.75-14.8 GHz frequency ranges which are used in typical
international applications; Option 2 covers the receive 10.7-
11.7 GHz and transmit 12.75-13.25 GHz and 13.75-14.8 GHz
ranges used for ASTRA and Hotbird applications.
Telefonica Selects DiviCom Digital Video
Distribuidora de Television Digital (DTS) an
organisation headed by Telefonica of Spain, with Television
Espanola (Spanish TV), and the Mexican company Televisa has
selected DiviCom's compression system for the Spanish
Digital Platform (V!a Digital).
Telefonica projects that by the year 2000 it will have
a considerable number of subscribers, many of which are
expected to be outside Spain. Service is expected to begin
this year, on September 1.
DBSI Chooses Launch Provider
E-SAT, Inc., owned jointly by EchoStar and DBS
Industries, intends to enter into a launch services contract
with EUROCKOT Launch Services GmbH of Bremen, Germany to
launch E-SAT's constellation of six low earth orbit (LEO)
satellites. E-SAT executed a Launch Reservation Agreement
in March 1997 with EUROCKOT to secure launch opportunities
beginning in the fourth quarter of 1998.
The E-SAT constellation will make its capacity
available for a number of telecommunications services and,
through DBS Industries' wholly owned subsidiary Global
Energy Metering Service, Inc. (GEMS), will initially provide
automated meter reading and data messaging services to the
electric and natural gas utility industries.
EUROCKOT will furnish two launches scheduled
approximately six months apart with the first launch
scheduled during the fourth quarter of 1998. The commercial
launch vehicle designated "ROCKOT" is a manoeuvrable three-
stage rocket. Each launch will insert three satellites into
its desired sun-synchronous orbit.
E-SAT is awaiting final licensing approval, expected
during this summer, from the Federal Communications
Commission for its LEO satellite constellation.
Head Start programs via satellite
EchoStar and National Head Start Association will
create a dedicated direct broadcast satellite network for
Head Start teachers and children.
Called "Heads Up," the satellite network will be aimed
at 16,636 Head Start centres serving 750,000 low-income pre-
school children in 42,500 classrooms. NHSA will provide at
least four hours of programming each week to Head Start
centres, including teacher, parent and pupil training
materials.
EchoStar is providing high-powered satellite broadcast
time, satellite television receivers and 18-inch dishes to
the Head Start program to get the network underway.
Individual Head Start centres will decide on their
participation in the Heads Up network, but it is estimated
that 3,000 centres serving multiple classrooms will
initially join the network.
Motorola to Build Global Satellite System
Motorola Inc. revealed plans to build a 12.9 billion
US dollar global satellite network to provide voice, data
and video communications to telephone companies, businesses
and telecommuters.
Celestri could use both LEO and GEO satellites. The 63-
satellite Celestri program would be Motorola's third
satellite venture. Motorola has a 25 percent in Iridium LLC
It has also proposed a project called M-Star, a 6.1 billion
dollar venture that will use 72 satellites. Motorola's
Celestri would compete with Teledisc the venture backed by
Microsoft and others.
Ariane 5 gets the "green light"
The countdown has begun on the next launch of the
Ariane 5 launcher. Over the next few weeks, mechanical,
fluid and electrical integration of the cryogenic main
stage, the solid booster stage, the vehicle equipment bay
and the upper stage of the launcher will be proceeding in
the Launcher Integration Building.
Preparatory work will also be under way in the Final
Assembly Building on the upper composite: the Speltra, the
fairing and the payload made up of two technological
instrument platforms, Maqsat H and B and two satellites:
Teamsat (a satellite flying five European technology
experiments and Amsat P3D (an international radio amateur
satellite). Meanwhile, various tests, flight program
functional simulations in particular, will be continuing in
Europe.
The target date for the Ariane 502 flight now being set
for the end of September.
LATE EDITION NEWS
" Hughes Space unit will launch at least five satellites
with an option for five more between the second half of 1998
and the end of 2006 on Long March rockets.
" According to the Beijing Meteorological Satellite
Ground Station it is receiving pictures from the recently
launched meteorological satellite Fengyun 2 (105E)
" BSkyB shares lost seven percent of their value or
US$1.2 billion late in week. The reason cited for the loss
included the recent news that Sam Chislom plans to retire
from BSkyB and the possible problems with its proposed
digital licence before the ITC.
Upcoming Launches
" Check our web site for current listings of 1997
launches.
" Click on "Launch Info".
Next Ariane Launch Next Atlas/Delta Launch
Intelsat 802 --June 25, 1997 Iridium -- July 8, 1997
Flight 96
Satellite Intelsat 802
Manufacturer Lockheed
Martin
Type 7000
Mass at Lift- 3,420
Off
Stabilisation 3-axis
Payload 36 C Band
6 Ku Band
Design Life 15 years
Coverage Asia Pacific
Orbital 174 East
Position
New files and documents at our WebStand
1 PBS Monthly Programming Schedule
1 PBS Weekly Previews
1 A&E Prime Time Schedule
In Brief
" Ted Turner said he plans to follow the lead of the HBO
by converting the Turner cable stations to HDTV as soon as
possible.
" California Amplifier has signed a supply agreement with
Star Choice Television Network. California Amplifier is to
supply its DBS downconverters on an exclusive basis for the
Star Choice DBS system.
" Authorities in Shanghai have put a ban on TV programs
broadcast by Japan Satellite Broadcasting Inc. (WOWWOW)
because of questions over copyrights and program content.
The authorities have notified hotels and apartments for
foreigners around the city to instruct those possessing the
decoders to voluntarily turn them over to the authorities.
" Viacom Inc. and Seagram Co. have not been able to
jointly negotiate a plan to sever their USA Networks cable
partnership. As previously reported, a Delaware judge gave
the companies 30 days to submit a joint plan for breaking up
the cable network partnership. Both companies will now file
separate plans for ending the partnership.
" The United Arab Emirates has formally set up the Al
Thurayya Space Communications Company. The company is
charged with the responsibility of handling the designing,
developing, manufacturing, operating, servicing and
controlling of Etisalat satellites
" CDS and the WGBH family of stations (`GBH/2, `GBH/44,
and WGBY/Springfield) have agreed to work together to
develop various aspects of DTV. WGBH plans to have a
digital signal on the air by year-end 1998, making it one of
the first stations in the U.S. to broadcast in the new
medium.
" Wegener Corporation announced results for the third
quarter of fiscal 1997, ended May 30, 1997. The Company's
revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 1997 were $3.9
million, down 26% from revenues of $5.2 million for the
third quarter of fiscal 1996. Wegener posted a net loss of
$(997,000), or $(0.10) per share, for the third quarter of
fiscal 1997, versus net income of $181,000, or $0.02 per
share, for the comparable three months ended May 31, 1996.
" NextLevel Broadband Networks Group has begun commercial
deployment of its interactive digital cable system for Shaw
Communications Inc.(Canada). The new system was launched on
June 2, 1997, and the system rollout is expected to be
completed in September. This is part of Shaw's contract with
NextLevel to purchase up to 200,000 digital set-top
terminals and related technology and software for deployment
in all of its cable systems.
" DIRECTV was officially launch this week in Ecuador.
Subscribers will receive around 70 video channels and 33
music channels. In Ecuador, the DIRECTV service is provided
by Galaxy Ecuador, S.A. DIRECTV (GLA) is now available in
Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala,
Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Panama and Costa Rica.
Additional channels will be added once Galaxy VIII-I is
launched later this year.
" The Cisneros Television Group has completed the
acquisition of Imagen Satelital S.A., Argentina's top cable
programmer. CTG originally announced the purchase, valued
at $114 million (including $9 million in assumed debt), in
May 1997. The completion of this acquisition gives the
Cisneros Television Group a total of nine owned channels and
distribution rights to six additional channels.
" The House Commerce Committee backed off on its deadline
for all broadcasters to convert from analogue to digital by
the year 2006. The committee ruled broadcasters could keep
their analogue licenses past 2006 if 5 percent of their
audiences were still relying on analogue. Critics such as
current FCC chairman Reed Hunt point out that their will
always be 5% of the population without digital TV sets.
" Alcatel, the Russian space agency, the Russian
satellite operator RSCC and NPO-PM (Krasnoyarsk - Siberia)
have signed a contract for the supply by Alcatel to NPO-PM
of 3 communication payloads for the Express-A satellites.
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