May 2011
The Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC) e-Newsletter is produced on a monthly basis as part of APSCC’s information services for members and professionals in the satellite industry. Subscribe to the APSCC monthly newsletter and be updated with the latest satellite industry news as well as APSCC activities! To renew your subscription, please fill out the attached Subscription
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News in this issue has been collected from April 1 through April 30.
APSCC 2011 Satellite Conference and Exhibition
27 – 29 September, 2011, Bali International Convention Center, Indonesia
This year the annual conference of APSCC is heading towards South East Asia!
APSCC will hold its annual flagship Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications, Broadcasting and Space Conference and Exhibition (APSCC 2011) on September 27 – 29, 2011. This time, APSCC 2011 will be held at the Island of
God, Bali, Indonesia. It is the 14th conference of APSCC and the first one taking place in Indonesia – triggering the attention of the satellite industry for business activities to the Southeast-Asian region. The event will bring an outstanding insight into the satellite industry of the South-East Asian region through CEO Roundtables, panel discussions and presentation sessions and networking opportunities. For conference program & exhibition inquiries, contact the APSCC Secretariat at chloe@apscc.or.kr
. For more information on the event, please visit http://www.apscc.or.kr/apscc2011.html
.
CommunicAsia2011 Satellite Communications Summit
21 June 2011, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
APSCC presents the Satellite Communications Summit at CommunicAsia 2011 on June 21 at Marina Bay Sands,
Singapore in partn ership with talk Satellite and Singapore Exhibition Services. Themed “Broadband-Driven
Trends”, the Satellite Communications Summit this year will address hot issues of the Asia-Pacific satellite scene and provide pro-active dialog on how as a satellite industry can best meet the challenges that lie ahead. APSCC members can take a 15 % discount off the summit registration fee. APSCC cordially invites its members and satellite executives to join the satellite summit to share what the distinctive satellite leaders talk! Please visit http://www.communicasia.com/satellite-communication-broadband-driven-trends for further information.
Appointment of APSCC Executive Director
Upon the approval at the 2011 APSCC General Assembly on March 24, 2011, APSCC President, Yutaka Nagai has appointed Dr. Seong Joog Kim as the Executive Director of the Organization effective April 1, 2011.
In this role, Dr. Kim will assume complete responsibility for carrying out assigned policies and regulations of the
Organization under the authority of the Board. He will also direct the implementation of the APSCC’s programs and services, and will be responsible for the management of all staff members.
Dr. Kim is a veteran in the satellite industry with over 30 years of professional experience. Prior to joining APSCC, from 1991 to 2007, Dr. Kim was involved in the satellite communications business, working on the Koreasat 1, 2,
3 and 5 projects at KT Corporation, Korea.

ZODIAC DATA SYSTEMS Joins APSCC as Regular Member
ZODIAC DATA SYSTEMS is a leading provider in the fields of telecommunications, telemetry and high data rate transmissions, antennas (hexapod) and baseband receivers (Cortex HDR) for Earth Observation applications,
Deep Space processors (Cortex DS), TT&C modems (Cortex CRT), integrated solutions for Carrier & Signal
Analysis, Monitoring, Interference Detection and Geolocation, as well as other products like SSPAs, frequency
U/D converters. http://zodiacaerospace.com
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Comtech EF Data Joins APSCC as Regular Member
Comtech EF Data is the recognized global leader in satellite bandwidth efficiency and link optimization. The advanced communication solutions encompass the Advanced VSAT Solutions, Modems, WAN Optimization,
Managed Bandwidth and RF products. The Company is recognized as a technology innovator, and has a reputation for exceptional product quality and reliability. The solutions enable commercial and government users to reduce OPEX/CAPEX and to increase throughput for fixed and mobile/transportable satellite-based applications. www.comtechefdata.com
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NewSat Announces Major New Defence Contract
April 1, 2011 - NewSat Limited has won a new contract to provide Satellite Communications services to US
Military troops in Afghanistan. The contract is worth US$4.4 million of additional revenue per annum, commencing in June 2011. The contract will see NewSat providing welfare communications for military personnel in over 15 locations throughout Afghanistan. The contract also has the option for NewSat to extend for a further year. This latest contract takes NewSat’s year-to-date contract wins to over US$10 million in new revenue in addition to
NewSat’s current contract base and high retention rate.
Iridium OpenPort® Global Service Program in Operation Effective April 1
April 1, 2011 - Iridium Communications Inc. announced the operational launch of its Global Service Program to support all customers of the Iridium OpenPort® broadband maritime satellite communication service, effective
April 1. The Iridium OpenPort Global Service Program will enable Iridium’s Customer Care team to dispatch 24/7 shipboard technical support at more than 50 ports around the world. Iridium is the first mobile satellite service provider to offer full-service support of this kind for any of its products. Imtech Marine, through its member Radio
Holland, is the first service partner for the Iridium OpenPort Global Service Program.
Globecomm to Use ASC Signal Antennas for Disaster Recovery Communications
April 4, 2011 - ASC Signal Corporation announced that its antennas have been chosen as a critical component of
Globecomm Systems, Inc.’s Forward-Deployed Asset Support Terminal (FAST) system to enable rapid set up of disaster recovery communications solutions. ASC Signal’s rugged antennas will help support tens of megabits of uplink connectivity in the C and Ku-band frequencies. This capability will allow FAST users to create multipurpose hubs for local communications, including mobile services, ready for use anywhere around the world shortly after arrival at a disaster recovery site.
JetBlue Signs Agreement with ViaSat for Ka-band In-flight High-Speed Internet Service
April 4, 2011 - ViaSat Inc. and JetBlue Airways have reached a definitive agreement to deploy the first Ka-band commercial aviation broadband network using ViaSat-1. The agreement includes an order valued at over US$30 million for Ka-band airborne terminals and services to outfit the JetBlue fleet of more than 170 aircraft. Under the agreement, ViaSat will provide satellite broadband terminals for installation on the airline’s Airbus A320 and
Embraer E190 aircraft along with two-way transmission bandwidth services using the WildBlue satellite broadband network, including the high-capacity ViaSat-1 satellite.
MDA to Provide Advanced Technology Solution to Boeing for Communications Satellites
April 4, 2011 - MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., a provider of essential information solutions, announced that its U.S. operation has signed a multi-million dollar agreement to begin work with Boeing Space and
Intelligence Systems to provide advanced technology solutions for its 702HP communications satellites. The period of performance will be through 2012. The 702HP satellite provides high-power communications for military and commercial satellite customers.

ABS Signs Multiple Transponder Capacity Deal on ABS-7 with Crescent Communications
April 6, 2011 - Crescent Communications FZ LLC (Crescent Communications) has signed an agreement with Asia
Broadcast Satellite (ABS) for multiple transponders on ABS-7 to serve the Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Middle
East markets for broadcast and IP-based services. Crescent Communications is satellite service integrator in the
Middle East offering innovative services to support new platforms for the telecommunications & broadcast sector.
Located at 116 degrees East orbital position, the ABS-7 satellite provides FSS Ku-band, BSS Ku-band and Kaband capacity for broadcast services, cellular backhaul, VSAT services, satellite broadband and US/NATO government requirements in the Middle East and Pakistan regions.
Row 44 Expands Coverage Globally with Hughes and Intelsat's Ku Satellites
April 6, 2011 - Row 44, Inc., a provider of the in-flight broadband entertainment platform, is expanding its coverage capabilities across the globe by combining Hughes's HX modem platform with Intelsat's IS fleet of Kuband satellites. Row 44 currently offers service in North America, Europe and the Middle East, and is already executing on a plan to expand service to Mexico, the Caribbean, North Atlantic and Russia. This latest announcement identifies Row 44's rest-of-world coverage via Hughes and Intelsat and, based on the timing of
Intelsat's IS fleet target service dates, Row 44 expects to offer global service by the end of 2013.
Globecomm Acquires ComSource Inc.
April 8, 2011 - Globecomm Systems Inc. has acquired ComSource, Inc. (ComSource). The initial purchase price is US$20.0 million, funded through US$2.0 million of existing cash and US$18.0 million through the Company's existing credit facility with Citibank. ComSource may receive up to US$21.0 million of additional consideration, through a two-year earn-out, based on reaching certain earnings milestones. Based in Frederick, MD, utilizing their state of the art test facility, ComSource provides independent test and evaluation of a variety of telecommunications equipment and related recurring long term application support, including new feature sets.
IPSTAR Contributes to Recovery of Mobile Communication Network in Japan
April 11, 2011 - IPSTAR Company Limited, a subsidiary of THAICOM Public Company Limited, supported the cell-phone carriers in Japan to recover their mobile communication networks in the affected areas by providing
IPSTAR user terminals. With the THAICOM 4 (IPSTAR) broadband satellite, cell-phone carriers can quickly recover their 3G base stations using mobile backhaul solution in damaged areas. The Company provided 10 units of IPSTAR user terminals and 60 sets of satellite antennas to two major cell-phone carriers. The cell-phone carriers installed the IPSTAR user terminals at the evacuation centers located in the devastated areas where it is very difficult to recover the existing cell stations.
Afghan ISP Prepares to Enhance Market Offering with Vizada Networks
April 11, 2011 - Vizada Networks announces that Netzone Ltd., an independent ISP & ICT solutions provider in
Afghanistan, has joined its brand new Partner Connect program. Partner Connect is a new initiative introduced by
Vizada Networks that is designed to empower its global network of Partners, Resellers and Agents to provide high quality services and connectivity to its customers.
Gilat Chosen by Telecom Namibia for Broadband Satellite Communications Network
April 14, 2011 - Gilat Satellite Networks has been selected by Telecom Namibia to provide a SkyEdge II
Broadband Satellite Network to serve hundreds of locations throughout Namibia. The IP oriented and higher capacity network will replace legacy equipment and enable the connection of new sites to broadband services.
Satellite-based connectivity is fundamental for communications in Namibia, which has one of the lowest population densities in the world with approximately 2 million people spread over more than 800,000 square km..
US Air Force Awards Integral Systems US$1.7 Million CCS-C Contract
April 14, 2011 - Integral Systems has announced that the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Space and Missile Systems
Center (SMC) has awarded the Company a US$1.7 million contract modification to its Command and Control
System-Consolidated (CCS-C) contract. The contract modification establishes a new contract line to extend
Integral Systems’ integration of the Blue Force Server prototype on the CCS-C system to the Joint Space
Operations Center (JSpOC) for the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system. Under the terms of the contract,
Integral Systems will expand the current prototype Space Operations Center (SOC) 31 to support additional WGS payload telemetry and WGS spacecraft. The modification also funds a full backup system that will be installed into
SOC-32. Interim Contractor Support will provide the Air Force with experts from Integral Systems during the implementation phase.

Level 3 to Acquire Global Crossing
April 14, 2011 - Level 3 Communications and Global Crossing Limited have entered into a definitive agreement under which Level 3 will acquire Global Crossing in a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction. The combined company will operate a unique global services platform anchored by fiber optic networks on three continents, connected by extensive undersea facilities. The combined network will serve a worldwide customer set with owned network in more than 50 countries and connections to more than 70 countries. This transaction will create a company with pro forma combined 2010 revenues of US$6.26 billion and pro forma combined 2010 Adjusted
EBITDA of US$1.27 billion before synergies and US$1.57 billion after expected synergies.
Vodacom Business Services Expands with Hughes Broadband Satellite Solutions
April 18, 2011 - Hughes Network Systems was selected by Vodacom Group, Ltd. to provide its market-leading HN and HX broadband satellite solutions to help propel Vodacom’s aggressive expansion of converged service offering in South Africa and throughout the continent. Most recently, Vodacom purchased the high power HN9200 and HN9400 Ka/Ku band terminals to both augment the existing services and in anticipation of the arrival of Kaband satellite service in Africa
Lockheed Martin to Develop Payload Application Software for Iridium NEXT
April 18, 2011 - Thales Alenia Space has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin to develop, test and support integration of payload application software for the Iridium NEXT satellites. Thales Alenia Space is the prime contractor for Iridium NEXT, the next-generation satellite constellation being designed, built and launched for
Iridium Communications Inc. Iridium NEXT is expected to begin launching in 2015, and will replace the company's current satellite constellation.
Comtech EF Data Receives Orders for Ground Station Equipment from Mobile Operator in Latin America
April 19, 2011 - Comtech EF Data Corp. received US$1.0 million in orders from a mobile operator to support the expansion of a satellite-based telecommunications network in Latin America. An assortment of ground station equipment was ordered, including modems, block up converters and frequency converters. Several models of
Comtech EF Data's bandwidth-efficient modems were selected, including the CDM-625 Advanced Satellite
Modem, the CDM-700 High-Speed Satellite Modem and the CDM-570 Satellite Modem.
Globalstar Finalizes Equity Investment in TrafficCast
April 19, 2011 - Globalstar, Inc. has completed an equity investment in TrafficCast International, Inc., a provider of travel time forecasting and traffic information based on advanced digital traffic data. TrafficCast provides business and government customers with accurate real-time and on demand mobile traffic information and travel-time forecasts by analyzing GPS-based tracking and other data from expressways and major arterials as well as information from secondary and tertiary roadways, weather conditions, roadway incidents and events, construction, and historical traffic patterns.
Eutelsat Contracts Skylogic and Avonline to Provide Tooway Broadband Services via KA-SAT
April 20, 2011 - Eutelsat Communications announced a new contract between its broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, and UK satellite communications specialist, Avonline, to sell broadband services in the UK via KA-SAT, the first
European High Throughput Satellite. The con tract, valued at up to €5 million, will allow Avonline to sell Eutelsat's next generation Tooway™ satellite broadband service. With download speeds of up to 10 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 4 Mbps, Tooway™ satellite broadband will bring fast, reliable and affordable Internet access across the UK, including rural not spots and areas with poor ADSL and mobile broadband coverage.
Orbital Sciences Corporation Awards Integral Systems Contract to Study Ground System Architectures
April 20, 2011 - Integral Systems, Inc. announced that Orbital Sciences Corporation has awarded the Company a contract to support the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for
Commercial SATCOM Architecture Options. Under the terms of the contract, Integral Systems will support Orbital in overall ground interface definition, ground integration and network management for wideband communications systems. Integral Systems’ work on the Command and Control System-Consolidated (CCS-C) program makes it uniquely suited to provide its expertise to the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Managed by Integral Systems, the CCS-C program is the U.S. military’s only operational Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)-based, multi-mission space operations center.
SES Astra Expands Astra2Connect to Romania
April 20, 2011 - SES ASTRA has signed an agreement with the Romanian internet service provider E-Sourcing
Know-How & Serv. Ltd. for the marketing of its satellite-based broadband service ASTRA2Connect in Romania.

E-Sourcing will market ASTRA2Connect to households and businesses in isolated areas without access to terrestrial broadband networks.
Axesat Signs Agreement with SES WORLD SKIES
April 21, 2011 - SES World Skies has announced a new capacity deal with Axesat aimed at meeting escalating corporate service demand across Latin America and the Caribbean. Axesat, satellite service provider based in
Bogota, Columbia with more than 5,000 VSATs installed, is utilizing two transponders aboard SES’ AMC-4 satellite at 67 degrees West to provide business voice, data and internet access services to companies in
Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Central America and the Caribbean. This new capacity is enabling the immediate expansion of many voice, data, Internet and video networks in the Andean countries, Central America,
Mexico and the Caribbean.
SES WORLD SKIES Inks New Capacity Deals with Global Crossing
April 25, 2011 - SES WORLD SKIES announced three new capacity deals with Global Crossing to meet growing connectivity demand across Latin America. The agreements represent the latest expansion in a longstanding alliance between SES WORLD SKIES and Global Crossing’s Latin America unit, which now utilizes about 290
MHz of capacity aboard SES satellites to serve markets across the region. On the h eels of last year’s 90 MHz renewal on NSS-10, Global Crossing secured an additional 12 MHz of C-band capacity on the spacecraft to enable the implementation of a new VSAT network to meet growing demand for corporate connectivity in Brazil.
Orbital Selects Integral Systems to Provide Turnkey Ground Segment for MEXSAT-3
April 26, 2011 - Integral Systems, Inc. has received an Authorization to Proceed from Orbital Sciences
Corporation to provide the major ground segment elements for the MEXSAT-3 satellite program. MEXSAT-3 is being built by Orbital for Boeing Space &Intelligence Systems as a part of a three-satellite, turnkey geomobile satellite system awarded to Boeing in December. An Orbital STAR2 satellite will provide the complete Fixed
Satellite Services (FSS) of the MEXSAT satellite system for the Federal Government of Mexico. To support
MEXSAT-3, Integral Systems will provide primary and backup satellite control centers incorporating its industry leading EPOCH Integrated Product Suite (IPS), as well as executable satellite procedures and displays.
KORDI Commences the Full-time Operation of Geostationary Ocean Color Imager
April 26, 2011 - Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute (KORDI) starts the full-operation and the related official data distribution service of GOCI (Geostationary Ocean Color Imager), one of the three main payloads in
COMS (Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite) also known as 'Chollian', which was launched in
June 27 last year, beginning April 20 after its 9-month-long test operation.
Inmarsat Completes Acquisition of Ship Equip International AS
April 28, 2011 - Inmarsat plc has completed the acquisition of Ship Equip International A.S. ("Ship Equip") for a total consideration of US$ 159.5 million. Based in Ålesund, Norway, Ship Equip is a leading provider of VSAT maritime communications services to the shipping, offshore oil & gas and fishing markets. As previously disclosed
Ship Equip is to be acquired by Inmarsat Solutions Limited and will operate as a separate subsidiary alongside our Stratos and Segovia businesses.
Towercom to Contract Fourth Transponder on ASTRA’s 23.5 Degrees East Orbital Position
April 1, 2011 - SES ASTRA has signed an agreement with the Slovak telecommunications and TV operator
Towercom for the use of one additional transponder on its 23.5 degrees East orbital position. Towercom will use the additional capacity starting on 1 June 2011 to strengthen the bouquet of Skylink in Slovakia and the Czech
Republic with additional content. With the new contract, Towercom uses a total of four transponders on ASTRA’s
23.5 degrees East orbital position for the Slovak and Czech markets. Since its re-launch in 2008, Skylink has developed into Slovakia’s and Czech Republic’s leading TV platform offering a variety of digital and High
Definition television programs delivered via satellite. To date, Skylink has distributed more than 1.3 million smart cards in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
AsiaSat Launches New DVB-S2 C-band Distribution Platform
April 4, 2011 - Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) is expanding its broadcasting services to offer a new C-band DVB-S2 MCPC (Multiple Channels per Carrier) distribution platform with wide coverage over the Asian and Australasian regions. The new DBV-S2 platform based on a full transponder will be

launched on AsiaSat 5 and operated by AsiaSat’s Tai Po Earth Station in Hong Kong. It can support a range of broadcast applications, including SD, HD and 3D content contribution and distribution services, in both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 standards. In addition to the platform, a comprehensive package of space segment, signal downlink and turnaround, fiber and uplinking services, as well as 24/7 network monitoring services is available.
MEASAT’s HD Neighbourhood Goes 3D
April 5, 2011 - Asia’s first regional 24/7 3D entertainment channel – HIGHTV 3D (HIGHTV) – is being distributed via the MEASAT-3a satellite. The channel, which premiered on MEASAT-3a C-Band regional feed on 4 April 2011, brings to Asia over 450 hours of lifestyle, travel, animation and original reality shows in full 3D HD. MEASAT’s HD video neighbourhood features 17 HD channels via the MEASAT-3/3a satellites at 91.5 degrees East.
GlobeCast Selects Eurobird 9A Satellite to Launch HD Distribution Platform
April 11, 2011 - To respond to increasing HD demand from its clients, GlobeCast has concluded a five-year contract with Eutelsat Communications for a third transponder on the EUROBIRD™ 9A satellite, which will carry a full HD DVB-S2 platform. The first clients on the platform already include Eurosport and Fashion One. Eutelsat's
EUROBIRD™ 9A satellite was chosen for its potential to reach over five million DTH and cable homes. The satellite's proximity to Eutelsat's HOT BIRD™ video neighborhood at 13 degrees East adds the opportunity for broadcasters to reach homes equipped for dual-feed reception from both positions.
ASTRA Platform Services Opens New Playout Center
April 11, 2011 - SES ASTRA announced that its 100 percent owned subsidiary ASTRA Platform Services (APS) has opened a new playout centre in Unterfohring near Munich. With the new centre, APS will significantly expand its capabilities to provide broadcasters and production houses around the world with state-of-the-art playout and platform services. Within the past years, APS has significantly extended its portfolio with additional services such as Digital Asset Management and has expanded outside Europe. The company serves the operation of 290 TV programs with 37 in HD, 42 radio channels and 59 data services. The new playout centre will complement the existing premises which continue to operate as a physical back-up.
Weigel Broadcasting Launches ME TV with SES WORLD SKIES
April 12, 2011 - SES WORLD SKIES has announced a capacity agreement to delive r Weigel’s new digital ME TV channel to broadcast stations and viewers across the U.S. As part of the 12 MHz C-band deal on SES WORLD
SKIES’ AMC-3 satellite, Weigel is using 8 MHz to distribute timeless TV classics from the 60s, 70s and 80s to a growing number of affiliates that cover more than 45% of the US TV households. The launch of ME TV follows
Weigel’s successful 24-hour movie channel partnership with MGM named THIS TV, currently carried by more than 140 broadcast stations nationwide. The digital subchannel THIS TV is also delivered over AMC-3 using a 4
MHz slice of C-band capacity.
Hispasat Group and PIT Launch DTH Platform on Amazonas-2 Satellite
April 21, 2011 - Hispasat Group, a DTH satellite provider in Spanish and Portuguese speaking markets, and
Pittsburgh International Telecommunications, Inc. (PIT) announced a partnership to launch a new DTH platform on Amazonas-2 satellite titled New Winds. New Winds, an alternative for the North American DTH market, provides an MCPC platform focusing on content providers from around the world. The platform, uplinked from the
Pittsburgh International Telecommunications teleport, has launched with nine channels from Europe and the
Middle East, with additional channels forthcoming from the Americas.
Digital+ Launches 3D Demo Channel on ASTRA
April 27, 2011 - SES ASTRA announced that the Spanish operator Digital+ has launched a 3D demo channel on
ASTRA. The new demo channel called Canal+ 3D Demo is broadcasting via SES ASTRA’s orbital position 23.5 degrees East and available free-to-air across Europe. Pioneering 3D broadcasting in Spain, Digital+ has launched the new 3D channel to allow installers and retailers to showcase 3D television at the point of sales. The channel will feature high quality 3D content including features film clips and concert clips during daytime.
Malaysia’s ONE HD Joins MEASAT’s HD Neighbourhood
April 27, 2011 - MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (MEASAT) announced that Malaysia’s HD channel, ONE
HD, has joined MEASAT’s video neighbourhood. ONE HD, owned and operated by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Networks Asia, delivers high definition Korean drama, reality programming, and music shows. Initially launched in
Malaysia in October 2010, the channel has performed exceptionally well, making it the most popular HD channel in the country. OHE HD is now being made available on MEASAT-3 C-band regional feed across Asia Pacific.

Soyuz Launch Site Ready for First Flight
April 1, 2011 - The Soyuz site at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana is ready for its first launch. ESA handed over the complex to Arianespace, marking a major step towards this year’s inaugural flight. Construction of the
Soyuz site began in February 2007, although initial excavation and ground infrastructure work began in 2005 and
2006, respectively. Russian staff arrived in French Guiana in mid-2008 to assemble the launch table, mobile gantry, fuelling systems and test benches. The first two Soyuz launchers arrived from Russia by sea in November
2009 to be assembled in the new preparation and integration building. The French space agency, CNES, as prime contractor for the building work, along with its European and Russian partners, has spent recent months qualifying the site – known as Ensemble de Lancement Soyuz, or ELS for short.
ILS and MELCO Announces Launch of Turksat 4A and Turksat 4B Satellites on ILS Proton
April 5, 2011 - International Launch Services (ILS) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) announced a new contract for the launch of Turksat 4A and Turksat 4B on ILS Proton. Turksat 4A is scheduled to launch in late
2013 and Turksat 4B in early 2014. Each satellite will weigh approximately 3800 kg, and will be built on MELCO’s
DS2000 standard comsat platform. The design life of 15-year on orbit service of the satellites will provide telecommunication and direct TV broadcasting services throughout Turkey, as well as in Europe, Central Asia, the
Middle East and Africa. Turksat AS satellite operator will use Turksat 4A at its core 42 degrees East orbital position. Turksat 4A would include Ku-band transponders for television broadcasting, and an undisclosed number of C and Ka-band channels. Turksat 4B will be operated at 50 degrees east position.
SES Selects Arianespace for the Launch of ASTRA 2E
April 13, 2011 - SES has chosen Arianespace for the launch of its ASTRA 2E satellite. ASTRA 2E will be launched in the second quarter of 2013, and will be positioned at 28.2 degrees East from where it will deliver high-power broadcast services across all of Europe and Africa. ASTRA 2E will be built by Astrium using a
Eurostar E3000 platform, and will be fitted with active Ku-band and Ka-band transponders. Its designed life time is
15 years. The satellite will be placed into orbit by an Ariane 5 launcher from the Guiana Space Center in French
Guiana. The launch of ASTRA 2E by an Ariane 5 launcher is part of a multi-launch agreement with Arianespace.
In addition to ASTRA 2E, SES has also contracted the launch of ASTRA 1N and SES 2, both scheduled for launch in 2011, with Arianespace.
First Contract for EDRS Signed by OHB-System and Astrium Services
April 13, 2011 - The prime contractor Astrium Services and OHB-System AG signed an authorization to proceed
(ATP) for the development and construction of a satellite for the European Data Relay System (EDRS). Initiated and funded by the European Space Agency ESA as ARTES-7, this program is to define a new standard in spacebased communications from 2014 onwards. Based on the Small GEO platform developed by OHB-System, the satellite is to go into operation in 2016. The sub-contract entails development work of an initial volume of around
EUR 7.4 million. The total volume for OHB-System will come to around EUR 150 million.
Higher Capacity for New European Satellite Platform
April 14, 2011 - An extension contract to develop a more powerful Alphabus was signed in Toulouse, France. The contract, signed by Astrium, Thales Alenia Space, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the French Centre
National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), will qualify Alphabus for the very high-power end of the communication satellite market. Alphabus completed qualification at the end of 2010 and is now available on the commercial market to accommodate missions with up to 18 kW of payload power. The new developments within the Alphabus
Extension program will extend the range up to 22 kW.
SpaceX Wins NASA Contract to Complete Development of Successor to the Space Shuttle
April 19, 2011 - NASA has awarded Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) US$75 million to develop a revolutionary launch escape system that will enable the company’s Dragon spacecraft to carry astronauts. The
Congressionally mandated award is part of the agency's Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) initiative that started in 2009 to help private c ompanie’s mature concepts and technologies for human spaceflight.
ISRO Places Three Satellites into Orbit with PSLV Launch
April 20, 2011 - Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched an indigenously developed rocket, carrying three satellites, including latest remote sensing Resourcesat-2 into space from the southern spaceport of Sriharikota. The rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle was launched by ISRO from Satish

Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota. It carried two nano satellites Youthsat and X-Sat apart from the
Resourcesat-2.
Singapore's First Locally-built X-Sat Launched from India
April 20, 2011 - Singapore's first locally-built satellite has been launched from a space center in India. The 105 kg fridge-size X-Sat was one of three riding on ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C16) from the Satish
Dhawan Space Center in India. It will be used to take photographs to measure soil erosion and environmental changes on earth. The satellite was designed and built by Singapore's Nanyang Technological University and
Singapore's defense research body DSO National Laboratories. exactEarth Announces Successful Launch of Satellite
April 20, 2011 - exactEarth Ltd. announced that a satellite containing its Automatic Identification System (AIS) payload was successfully launched from Sriharikota, India. The AIS payload, which was designed and built by
COM DEV International and its European subsidiary COM DEV Europe, is integrated onto the Indian Space
Research Organisation’s ResourceSat-2 earth observation satellite. exactEarth is targeting June 1 for the AIS payload to enter service, following an anticipated six-week commissioning period for the satellite. The Company plans to deploy three additional high performance AIS satellites later this year as it continues to build out its constellation.
Thales Alenia Space to Supply New Version of EGNOS System to ESA
April 21, 2011 - Thales Alenia Space has signed a 54.5 million euro contract with the European Space Agency
(ESA), acting on behalf of the European Commission, to supply a new version of EGNOS (European
Geostationary Navigation Overlay System), incorporating improvements that are indispensable for enhanced operability. The 28-month contract will upgrade critical subsystems that had become obsolete, and provide significant improvements in the operation and extension of the system. EGNOS is a European system that is designed to improve the positioning information provided by GPS. It comprises a network of 38 reference stations, a data processing center, six uplink stations to send data to three geostationary satellites, and a control-command station.
Arianespace Launches Intelsat New Dawn and Yahsat Y1A Satellites
April 22, 2011 - Ariane 5 successfully orbited two satellite payloads that will supply telecommunications services for two new customers who join the growing list of Arianespace commercial launch services users. Ariane 5 lifts off from the Spaceport carrying a record payload mass with its Yahsat Y1A and Intelsat New Dawn satellite passengers. In a flight conducted from the Spaceport in French Guiana, the Ariane 5 deployed Yahsat Y1A, the first satellite to be operated by the United Arab Emirates’ Al Yah Satellite Communications Company; along with
Intelsat New Dawn, which was built for the new joint venture of Intelsat and Convergence Partners.
Mitsubishi Electric Develops ST-2 Communications Satellite for SingTel-Chunghwa JV
April 26, 2011 - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has completed building the ST-2 communications satellite ordered in December 2008 by a joint venture between Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) and Taiwan's
Chunghwa Telecom Company Limited (Chunghwa Telecom). Having departed Kamakura, Japan at the end of
March, the satellite arrived on April 5 in French Guiana. The ST-2 satellite, built at Mitsubishi Electric's Kamakura
Works in Kamakura, Japan, will succeed the ST-1 satellite, which is co-owned by SingTel and Chunghwa
Telecom and currently supports their various communications businesses.
Arianespace to Launch ABS-2 in 2013
April 28, 2011 - Arianespace has confirmed the launch date for the ABS-2 satellite for Asia Broadcast Satellite
(ABS). ABS2 will be launched by an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in
French Guiana, in 2013. The ABS-2 satellite manufactured by Space Systems/Loral using an LS-1300 platform, will weigh more than 6,000 kg at launch. It will be positioned in geostationary orbit at 75 degrees East where ABS-
1, ABS-1A and ABS-1B are currently located. Fitted with C, Ku, and Ka-band transponders, it will provide optimized direct TV broadcast, multimedia applications, telecommunications and data transmission services for
Asia, Russia/CIS, Africa and the Middle East.

World Teleport Association Appoints New Chairman and Secretary General
April 6, 2011 - The World Teleport Association announced the appointment of a new Chairman and Secretary
General to lead the Board of Directors. At its March Board meeting, M. Brett Belinsky, Strategy & Business
Development Director for Arqiva Broadcast & Media, was named as Chairman, with Norberto Alvarez Vitale, CEO of Teleport Internacional Buenos Aires, as its Secretary General and Chief Administrative Officer.
AsiaSat Appoints Philip Balaam as Vice President, Business Development
April 7, 2011 - AsiaSat has announced the appointment of Philip Balaam as its Vice President, Business
Development. Balaam will be responsible for identifying and driving new business development and accelerating the stra tegic planning for the company’s growth in businesses and services. Balaam possesses over 20 years of experience in the satellite industry and has held various management positions in sales, marketing and business development. Balaam joins AsiaSat from Arianespace where he served more than 12 years, most recently as the
Sales and Marketing Director – Asia Pacific of Arianespace ASEAN Office in Singapore.
EADS North America Names John Schumacher to Lead Space Activities in the US
April 7, 2011 - EADS North America announced that it has further integrated and expanded the company’s Space and related product activities in the U.S., supporting government agencies, private sector customers and academia. The line of business (LOB) will be led by John Schumacher, who will serve as Vice President, Space line of business. The U.S. line of business will draw on ASTRIUM, EADS’ Space division, and its vast capabilities, products and services. Prior to joining EADS North America, Schumacher was the Vice President of Washington
Operations for Aerojet General Corporation, responsible for leading and expanding Aerojet’s activities with the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other U.S. government, civilian and military customers.
Inmarsat Makes New North American Team Appointments
April 11, 2011 - Inmarsat announced two new appointments to its North American teams. David Helfgott becomes
President of Inmarsat, Inc. and Head of Business Development, Americas and Peter Hadinger joins Inmarsat
Global Xpress TM as President of Inmarsat Government Services Inc (IGSI). Both will be based at Inmarsat's
Washington DC office. David Helfgott will be responsible for external representation of Inmarsat Inc, and will head strategy and business development in the Americas.
NewSat Names David Ball as Chief Technology Officer
April 13, 2011 - NewSat Limited announces the appointment of David Ball as Chief Technology Officer. Ball comes to NewSat with more than 25 years of global satellite experience in leading sales, marketing and engineering teams. Most recently, he was the Managing Director of Intelsat Broadband Pty Ltd., a subsidiary of
Intelsat Corporation.
Infinera Appoints Andrew Bond-Webster as Vice President for Asia Pacific
April 13, 2011 - Infinera announced the appointment of Andrew Bond-Webster as Vice President of Sales for Asia
Pacific to accelerate Infinera's focus on marketing Digital Optical Network solutions in the Asia Pacific region.
Bond-Webster brings more than 20 years of experience in the terrestrial and satellite telecommunications industry across wide geographical markets and industry verticals to his new role at Infinera. His previous experience includes senior sales and marketing roles at technology suppliers and service providers in the Asia region, including Cable and Wireless and Equant Network Services.
Comtech EF DATA Appoints John Baddick as Vice President, VSAT System Engineering
April 19, 2011 - Comtech EF Data Corporation announced that it enhanced its engineering management team with the appointment of John Baddick to Vice President, VSAT System Engineering. This newly created position will address a strategic area of the company. Baddick will direct the technical efforts, including hardware design, software development and product engineering for the Advanced VSAT Solutions. Prior to joining Comtech EF
Data, Baddick was with Intelsat for seven years in senior program management roles leading many of the company’s largest management service developments and introductions to various market segments.
Northrop Grumman Names Scott Willoughby as Vice President of James Webb Space Telescope Program
April 22, 2011 - Northrop Grumman Corporation has appointed Scott P. Willoughby as Vice President of the
James Webb Space Telescope program, effective April 23. In this position, Willoughby is responsible for

execution of the current program of record. As the Webb telescope's prime contractor, Northrop Grumman leads the design and development effort for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
Marc Welinski Joins Eutelsat as Director of Marketing and Commercial Strategy
April 29, 2011 - Eutelsat Communications announced that Marc Welinski is joining the company on May 2 as
Director of Marketing and Commercial Strategy, reporting to Andrew Wallace, the Group's Chief Commercial
Officer. In this role, Marc's focus will encompass developing commercial strategy, including integrated marketing of Eutelsat's brands and driving improved customer understanding and customer satisfaction tracking.
NSR Releases Global SCADA, M2M and LDR via Satellite Markets, 2nd Edition
April 5, 2011 – NSR released the new market research report, Global SCADA, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and
Low Data Rate (LDR) Applications via Satellite, 2nd Edition. According to the report, new systems for Blue Force
Tracking (BFT), High Throughput Satellites (HTS) and the ability to bundle broadband applications like CCTV for security purposes in this inherently narrowband market should warrant continued growth for the industry within this decade. While terrestrial competition is on the rise, specifically as coverage and cost advantages dilute some of satellite technology’s advantages, innovation is leading to continued preference for satellite platforms in addressing many vital end user requirements.
NSR Releases Broadband Satellite Markets, 10th Edition
April 12, 2011 - According to NSR's new market research report, Broadband Satellite Markets, 10th Edition, satellite broadband access is again the leading revenue generator with NSR forecasting revenues from these services will grow almost 15% annually over the coming ten years. NSR expects the total satellite broadband market to generate US$9 billion in revenues by 2020, driven primarily by satellite broadband Internet access and
VSAT networking to enterprises.
WTA Releases Report on High Availability Services
April 21, 2011 - The World Teleport Association has published a new report, ‘How to Deliver High Quality of
Service 24x7x365’, that explores the practices of teleport operators in delivering high levels of service while balancing customer expectations, technology and human capital investment with the bottom line of the business.
Based on interviews with directors of operations and chief technology officers, the report explores the technical and human aspects of quality of service (QOS), from continuity for power systems to communicating effectively in a crisis. It shares the first-hand experience of operations professionals on where to apply automation and where to insist on the human touch, how to economize without unacceptable impacts on QOS, and how to motivate top performance from network operations staff.
Global Space & Satellite Forum, May 9-11 , Abu Dhabi, UAE, www.gssforum.com
Asia-Pacific Pay-TV Operators Summit, May 11-13 , Ayana Resort, Bali, Indonesia, www.visitapos.com
Pay-TV and broadband operators in Asia Pacific are re-tooling to meet shifting demand across key consumer categories as well as the challenge of competition, broadband technology, new policy frameworks and content fragmentation. New solutions and partnerships in this ecosystem inform the strategic agenda at the second annual Asia Pacific Pay-TV Operators Summit 2011.
Oil & Gas Communications Europe, May 17-18 , Aberdeen, Scotland www.uk-emp.co.uk/3rd.o&G.Eurpoe.2010/
MilSatCom Asia, May 23 -24, Swissôtel Merchant Court Hotel, Singapore
SMi’s first annual MilSatCom Asia conference and exhibition will be held in Singapore on the 23 rd and 24 th May
2011. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from key regional and international SATCOM experts and keep up-todate with issues affecting the Milsatcom industry across Asia. For more information and to book your place www.smi-online.co.uk/milsatcomasia49.asp
.

SatCom 2011 Africa, May 31 - 1 June , Johannesburg, South Africa, www.satcomafrica.com
CommunicAsia2011 Satellite Communications Summit, June 21 , Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, http://www.communicasia.com/satellite-communication-broadband-driven-trends
News, comments, and suggestions can be sent to the editor at:
Inho Seo, Editor, APSCC Publications
Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council
Suite T-1602 Poonglim Iwantplus, 255-1 Seohyun-dong, Bundang-gu
Seongnam, Kyunggi-do, 463-824 Korea
Tel:
Fax:
E-mail:
Website:
+82 31 783 6247
+82 31 783 6249 inho_seo@apscc.or.kr
www.apscc.or.kr
APSCC is a non-profit, international organization representing all sectors of satellite and space-related industries.
The aim of the organization is to exchange views and ideas on satellite technologies, systems, policies and outer space activities in general along with satellite communications including broadcasting for the betterment of the
Asia-Pacific region.
Conferences, forums, workshops, and exhibitions are organized through regional coordination with its members in order to promote new services and businesses via satellite as well as outer space activities. APSCC membership is open to any government body, public or private organization, association, or corporation that is involved in satellite services, risk management or associate fields such as data-casting, informatics, multi-media, telecommunications and other outer-space related activities with interests in the Asia-Pacific region. More information is available at www.apscc.or.kr
.