June 2010: APSCC Monthly e-Newsletter
The Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC) aims to keep its members and subscribers updated with the latest
satellite industry news as well as APSCC activities, thus produces a e-newsletter on a monthly basis as part of its information services for
its members and professionals in the satellite industry. To renew your subscription, please fill out the Subscription Reply form and send it
to info@apscc.or.kr at least every six months. To unsubscribe, send an email to info@apscc.or.kr with a title “Unsubscribe.”
News in this issue has been collected from May 1 through May 30.
APSCC 2010 Satellite Conference & Exhibition
October 5-7, 2010 @ Hilton Hotel, Tokyo, Japan
Themed “Beyond Survival, It Is Responsibility”, the APSCC 2010 Satellite Conference and Exhibition will be held
in Tokyo, Japan. The conference program will feature world-renowned industry experts at its CEO Roundtables,
panel discussions, technical sessions. With our strong connection to the Asian satellite community, APSCC 2010
will be an indispensable opportunity to reach the industry in the region. Mark your calendar now, and don’t miss
the chance to meet face-to-face with leading satellite technology experts.
http://www.apscc.or.kr/event/apscc2010.asp
2010 Satellite Communications Forum
June 16 2010 @ Singapore Expo, Singapore
APSCC co-presents again Satellite Communications Forum at CommunicAsia 2010 Summit this year on June 16
in partnership with GVF, talk Satellite and Singapore Exhibition Services. The Satellite Communications will focus
on satellite services & connectives for consumers, satellite based cellular backhaul services, satellite
communications developments in Asia Pacific, satellite mobile communications in Asia, and VSAT-based services
and solutions. This year we have a lineup of over 18 esteemed speakers who will share their expertise with you.
Register Now and grasp valuable insights and benefit at Satellite Communications Forum.
http://www.communicasia.com/conferenceregistration.htm
SATELLITE BUSINESS NEWS
SingTel to Provide Vital Communications Lifeline in War Zones
May 3, 2010 - Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) announced it aims to enhance communications
in war-affected Afghanistan and Iraq, with the launch of Inmarsat’s IsatPhone Pro satellite phone. SingTel will
also offer the handset in emerging markets, such as Cambodia and Vietnam, and through its extensive network of
37 offices in 20 countries throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. To be available in June 2010,
the IsatPhone Pro is ideal for media, military, government and humanitarian organizations working in high-risk
and remote areas, and can provide a vital communications lifeline in dangerous situations. Shock resistant and
designed for use in extreme weather conditions and temperatures between -20°C to 55°C, the handset is also
suitable for the maritime, oil and gas, mining and construction industries.
Sea Launch Accepts Terms of Agreement for DIP Financing from EOL
May 4, 2010 - Sea Launch has accepted the terms of agreement for debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from
Energia Overseas Limited (EOL). As a result of the court-approved agreement, EOL will replace Sea Launch’s
existing DIP lender, Space Launch Services (SLS). The new DIP financing agreement with EOL, which received
interim approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware on April 27, provides additional funding to Sea
Launch, totaling $30 million. Part of the proceeds of this facility will be used to repay all outstanding SLS DIP
loans to date, amounting to approximately $19 million. The remaining balance of this facility will be used to fund
ongoing operations at Sea Launch through confirmation of its Plan of Reorganization. The new arrangement is
also expected to position Sea Launch for exit financing, as the company prepares for its successful emergence
from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The DIP financing transaction closed on April 30.
Thuraya XT Provides Fastest Data Service on Satellite Handheld
May 11, 2010 - Thuraya’s latest satellite handheld, Thuraya XT currently provides the highest data speed of any
satellite phone on the market. As today’s communications are being driven by data services, the availability of
Internet connectivity on satellite handhelds has become a basic need for users in remote or rural areas not
traditionally covered by terrestrial networks. Of prime importance to users of satellite data services is throughput
speed and in today’s mobile satellite handheld industry, Thuraya Telecommunications Company provides the
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fastest data service on its XT satellite phone. GmPRS features on Thuraya XT enable downloads speeds of 60
kbps. The handheld also provides fax services.
Hughes to Deploy HX System to Eastern Russia
May 12, 2010 - Hughes Network Systems, LLC announced that Rostelecom, Russia’s largest international and
long-distance operator, has purchased its HX System to provide a variety of broadband communications services
in the Federation’s far east region. The contract was awarded to Hughes over alternative satellite and terrestrial
wireless solution suppliers. Services include the provision of broadband satellite Internet access, high-speed data,
videoconferencing, and telephony (PSTN) to government agencies, local authorities, corporations, and small and
medium enterprises. The project was implemented with ARD-Satcom Service, a Russian system integrator.
Glowlink Announces New Generation of Model 8000
May 17, 2010 - Glowlink announced the release of GEO4, a new generation of its industry-leading Model 8000
Interference Detection and Geolocation product. GEO4 offers unmatched automation and ease-of-use in
detecting and geolocating intentional and unintentional satellite interferers across L, C, X, Ku & Ka bands. Active
participants of Glowlink Model 8000 system maintenance plans will receive standard upgrade features of the
Model 8000 GEO4 free of charge.
Integral Systems Announces Cyta Acceptance of Carrier Monitoring System
May 17, 2010 - Integral Systems, Inc. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Integral Systems Europe, has
completed the installation of a carrier monitoring system for Cyta and obtained official site acceptance. Cyta is a
government corporate body and the dominant telecommunications operator in Cyprus. The contract, originally
signed in July 2009, called for the installation of the company's SAT-DSA (Digital Spectrum Analyzer) product with
customized radio frequency elements in the main Cyta teleport facility. The system will monitor carrier signals
from more than 30 antennas in C and Ku-bands and will provide interference detection and analysis capabilities.
OPT Launches iDirect Evolution Network to Extend Voice, GSM and Data Services
May 17, 2010 - VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect) announced that the Office of Post and Telecommunications French
Polynesia (OPT), a telecommunications provider in the Pacific Islands, has launched a new high-speed satellite
broadband network based on iDirect’s Evolution platform. The network will introduce expanded voice, GSM and
Internet coverage to remote areas of French Polynesia, serving residential, enterprise, government and maritime
customers. OPT’s satellite network will integrate with French Polynesia’s terrestrial communications infrastructure
to extend broadband connectivity to outlying villages .
Eutelsat Renews Partnership with TSF
May 21, 2010 - Eutelsat Communications renewed its partnership with Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF) to
support the organization’s humanitarian aid operations throughout the world. Based in Pau (France), with regional
offices in Bangkok and Managua, Télécoms Sans Frontières is a non-governmental organization specialized in
providing emergency telecommunications services. TSF has integrated Eutelsat's D-STAR broadband service into
telecommunications solutions deployed for the humanitarian community active in Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Operating independently from terrestrial networks, fast to install and able to serve single or multiple work stations
and Wi-Fi networks, D-STAR terminals have been set up at strategic coordination centers in the immediate
aftermath of events destroying terrestrial communications, as well as for longer term humanitarian work.
Asia Broadcast Satellite Acquires Koreasat-3
May 24, 2010 - KT Corporation (KT) and Asia Broadcast Satellite (ABS) have completed their second transaction
with the execution of the agreement for the sale and purchase of the Koreasat-3 satellite. The closing of the
Koreasat-3 sale will occur upon the issuance of the necessary US governmental approvals. Koreasat-3 is a
Lockheed Martin A2100 spacecraft launched in September 1999. The satellite has a payload consisting of 24x36
MHz FSS Ku-band, 6x27 MHz BSS Ku-band and 3x200 MHz FSS Ka-Band transponders. Koreasat-3 will be
renamed as ABS-7 and provide high powered Ku-band and Ka-band capacities to meet ABS’s customer
demands for cellular backhaul, VSAT services, satellite broadband and US/NATO government requirements in
the Middle East region. KT will continue to provide the satellite operations and TT&C services for ABS-7.
SES Provides Additional Capacity in the Middle East for US Government
May 25, 2010 - SES WORLD SKIES, US Government Solutions has signed a capacity agreement with ARTEL to
extend US Government communications capabilities in the Middle East. ARTEL has taken service on four full Kuband transponders (144 MHz) on board the ASTRA 3B satellite, which was launched May 21. This follows a multitransponder deal between SES and ARTEL in 2009, bringing ARTEL’s total bandwidth procurement on the
ASTRA 3B spacecraft to eight, 36 MHz-equivalent transponders, or 288 MHz. The capacity will support
communications applications in the Middle East, and will deliver broadband, IP voice, data and video capabilities
to entities within the U.S. Government.
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Gilat SkyEdge Used in Gorakshep Village near Everest Base Camp
May 26, 2010 - Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. announced that Nepal Telecom's (NTC) deployment of a Gilat
SkyEdge broadband satellite network includes the provision of data and toll-quality telephony services to
Gorakshep, the last village on the Everest trek before the Everest Base Camp. At over 5,100 meters elevation,
the Gorakshep VSAT installation is one of the highest in the world. The Gorakshep deployment is part of NTC's
larger Gilat network deployment announced last year, which meets NTC's Universal Service Obligations for voice
and broadband data connectivity. Central to this deployment is NTC's selection of Gilat's SkyAbis cellular
backhaul solution to extend the range of GSM and CDMA services for Nepal's cellular operators.
Globecomm Receives $7.9 Million Increased Scope under a Contract with US Government Contractor
May 26, 2010 - Globecomm Systems Inc. announced that the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Globecomm
Services Maryland, has received a $7.9 million increase in the total value of a four-year contract from a major US
Government prime contractor. This contract is part of the four-year contract originally signed on January 2008.
Globecomm will provide satellite earth stations and services that leverage the Company’s global service network
by providing voice, video, and data services in the Company’s growing managed network service businesses. As
a valued added offering, Globecomm will offer the customer life cycle services supported by a global network of
qualified technicians enabling a highly professional, technical and responsive support handling activities such as
implementation, preventive, and corrective maintenance, and a full range of 24 x 7 technical support services.
C-COM Antenna Deployed by Malaysian Post and Telecom Malaysia
May 4, 2010 - C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. has delivered an initial number of Mobile antenna systems to NumixEngineering SDN BHD, its Malaysia based reseller, for deployment by Post Malaysia for this country's first-of-itskind Post-Automated-Machine (PAM) and Post-on-Wheels, or mobile post office. PAM is similar to a bank's ATM
but the first of its kind that is integrated with postal service. Post Malaysia said that the response from the public
has been very encouraging and plans to deploy another 30 units of PAM this year.
Telecommunications State in the Pacific Islands Continues to Improve
May 4, 2010 - Pactel International has announced the successful implementation of a large satellite IP trunk,
linking the two French overseas territories of Wallis and Futuna to the International IP backbone via Australia. The
link was commissioned only 2 months after signing the initial contract between Pactel International and FCR
Wallis and Futuna due to an immediate need in increased capacity and better load balancing between the two
territories. This project has allowed FCR to supply a continued quality of service to their customers by increasing
their Internet connectivity speed and improving protocol and bandwidth management services at a lower cost.
MTN Signs Agreement with Goodwood Ship Management
May 5, 2010 - MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) has been selected to provide VSAT services for Singaporebased Goodwood Ship Management. MTN is initially installing C-band antennas and below-deck equipment on
Goodwood managed vessels of three Ore/Bulk/Oil ships and one cape size bulker. The vessels are being fitted
with four separate phone lines for crew calling and computer stations for e-mail and Internet access. Also, the
MTN VSAT will be used for ship operations and remote management communications. The contract calls for a
minimum of continuously available bandwidth of 64 kbps with maximum bandwidth of 128 kbps when needed.
BROADCASTING NEWS
GlobeCast to Help Identify New Audiences for NHK World TV and NHK World Premium in Asia
May 4, 2010 - Japan International Broadcasting Inc. (JIB), NHK’s channel distribution arm, has entered into an
agreement with GlobeCast’s Content Aggregation and Distribution division for consultancy services. GlobeCast
has been appointed by JIB as its agent to assist in the distribution of NHK World TV (in both SD and HD), and
NHK World Premium in the Asian territory. GlobeCast will provide market intelligence to JIB for the broadcast
market within the territory and provide advice on any associated regulatory matters. In addition, GlobeCast will
research distribution and revenue opportunities for the channels throughout the territory and at JIB’s request, will
enable connections with potential targeted DTH/Cable/IPTV carriers and hotels in the specified country.
Eutelsat and Euro1080 Ink Partnership to Enrich Content of the 3D Channel Broadcast across Europe
May 6, 2010 - Eutelsat Communications and Euro1080 signed a new partnership designed to further enrich the
content of Eutelsat's 3D channel which is broadcast across Europe by the EUROBIRD™ 9A satellite. In this
exclusive agreement, Euro1080 together with its TV production company Alfacam, a pioneer in HD production
and broadcasting, will bring to the 3D channel their extensive experience of production and recording in 3D of
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sports events and concerts, as well as their technical resources. They will also bring a unique directory of over
100 hours of 3D content including football, tennis, boxing, cricket, documentaries and concerts.
MEASAT Brings AXN HD to Southeast Asia
May 17, 2010 - MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (MEASAT) announced an agreement had been signed with
GlobeCast and SPE Networks Asia (SPENA) to distribute the South East Asian feed of the AXN HD channel via
the MEASAT-3 satellite. The deal follows the launch of the South Korean feed of the channel on MEASAT-3 last
year. AXN HD will have a line-up of first-run, top-performing drama series in HD from the US.
GlobeCast Deploys Massive Global Force for World Cup 2010
May 18, 2010 - GlobeCast is gearing up for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa this summer, providing a
comprehensive array of services to rightsholders and non-rightsholders for worldwide distribution. For
rightsholding broadcasters, dedicated HD and SD uplink and downlink paths are available to and from the IBC
(International Broadcast Centre) satellite dish farm in Johannesburg, for end-to-end delivery of the matches and
associated content. Outside the IBC, GlobeCast is offering a wide array of services to broadcasters from all over
the world, including HD and SD SNG trucks and flyaways, international and domestic fiber links, studios, camera
crews and playout for both domestic and international delivery via satellite and fiber. For contribution of feeds for
both rightsholders and non-rightsholders, GlobeCast will deploy a fleet of 12 SD and HD SNG uplinks to stadiums,
team hotels and training camps in every corner of South Africa.
MEASAT Supports World Cup 2010
May 20, 2010 - MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (MEASAT) announced it had signed an agreement with
GlobeCast Asia to provide transponder capacity for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The
MEASAT-3 satellite located at the 91.5 degrees East has an excellent footprint and is the ideal platform to
distribute content directly from South Africa to the entire Asia Pacific region. The World Cup 2010 is scheduled to
take place between June 11 and July 11 and will feature 32 countries playing a total of 64 matches.
Eutelsat Satellites Gear up for Live Coverage of 2010 FIFA World Cup
May 27, 2010 - For the first time in its history, World Cup football is preparing to take place in Africa, with four
satellites operated by Eutelsat Communications at the heart of a state-of-the-art broadcast infrastructure that will
enable channels around the world to deliver matches, commentary, interviews and reports to TV viewers. With
high-power capacity focused over Africa, Europe and the Middle East, Eutelsat's W2A, W3A, W4 and W7
satellites will support the exceptional resources deployed by rights-holding organisations and television channels
to offer worldwide coverage of the 30 days of sport in South Africa. In addition to carrying live broadcasts of
matches by rights holders, Eutelsat will provide customers operating in South Africa with satellite links so that
journalists working in the field can be directly connected to studios in their respective countries.
AMOS Satellites Add Fourth DTH Platform
May 3, 2010 - Spacecom announced that Slovak Telekom’s Magio TV has launched its satellite TV service on the
AMOS-3 satellite. Magio TV, under the T-Com brand, is the third European DTH service, and fourth overall, on
the AMOS satellite constellation, located at 4 degrees West. Slovak Telekom is a subsidiary of the global
Deutsche Telekom group. Magio TV, which complements Slovak Telekom’s IPTV and broadband Internet
offerings, is now available to all of Slovakia as a stand-alone digital TV service or as part of the incumbent
telecom’s other services. It joins fellow DTH services Hungary’s T-Home SatTV, Romania’s BOOM and Israel’s
YES on Spacecom’s AMOS constellation.
LAUNCH / SPACE NEWS
Arianespace Signs Contract with HUGHES to Launch Jupiter
May 5, 2010 - Arianespace has been selected by Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) to launch its Ka-Band,
high-throughput Jupiter satellite. The contract calls for a launch in the first half of 2012. Jupiter will weigh
approximately 6,100 kg at liftoff and will be placed into geostationary transfer orbit by Ariane 5 ECA from. Built by
Space Systems/Loral, Jupiter will deliver HughesNet broadband satellite services in North America, building upon
the success of the SPACEWAY 3 satellite system. This next-generation satellite is designed with a bent-pipe,
multi-spot beam, Ka-band architecture that will offer an extraordinary 100+ Gbps of throughput.
ILS Proton to Launch Hosted Payload for Intelsat
May 5, 2010 - An ILS Proton will launch the Intelsat 22 satellite for Intelsat SA. The Intelsat 22 satellite is under
construction by Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems and is scheduled for launch in the first half of 2012. The
Intelsat 22 mission is part of the Intelsat Multi-Launch Agreement which allowed Intelsat the flexibility to substitute
the Intelsat 22 satellite for the previously-announced Intelsat 21 satellite. The Intelsat 22 satellite, weighing 6400
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kg, will be built on the Boeing 702MP platform and will be launched aboard an ILS Proton utilizing a 65,000 km
super-synchronous transfer orbit.
SES WORLD SKIES Officially Takes over Protostar II
May 5, 2010 - SES has closed its acquisition of the ProtoStar II satellite and is now preparing to integrate it into its
global fleet. The spacecraft, launched in May 2009, has been renamed SES-7, and will be re-deployed to 108.2
degrees East to provide incremental capacity in South Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. SES-7 will be copositioned with NSS-11. With two satellites at this same location, SES WORLD SKIES can offer in-orbit
redundancy to customers whose networks require additional resilience. With its high-power Ku-band payload and
switchable beams, SES-7 offers expansion capacity for a range DTH and enterprise services across the AsiaPacific region. SES-7 carries 22 physical Ku-band transponders as well as 10 S-band transponders. The S-band
payload will be fully utilized by MCI Indovision, a DTH platform operator in Indonesia.
Eutelsat and ictQATAR Sign Alliance to Develop a New Satellite Program
May 10, 2010 - ictQATAR (representing the State of Qatar) and Eutelsat Communications signed a partnership
agreement to invest in and operate a new high-capacity satellite at Eutelsat's 25.5 degrees East, one of the two
longstanding and anchored neighborhoods serving markets in the Middle East and North Africa regions. To be
launched at the end of 2012, the satellite will provide a significantly expanded mission and superior coverage and
power across the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia to follow-on from Eutelsat's EUROBIRD™ 2 satellite
at 25.5 degrees East. In addition to securing Ku-band continuity for Eutelsat and additional Ku-band resources for
ictQATAR, it will initiate a Ka-band capability opening business opportunities for both parties.
Space Systems/Loral Selected to Provide Satellite for Satmex
May 10, 2010 - Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has been selected to provide a satellite for Satelites Mexicanos, SA
de CV. Satmex 8 is a high-power C and Ku-band satellite that replaces Satmex 5 and will provide Fixed Satellite
Services (FSS) in both North and South America. The new satellite will augment the current Satmex fleet in
providing services such as broadband, voice and data transmission, and video broadcasting. Satmex 8 is
expected to be a 64 transponder, C- and Ku-band satellite and it is being designed to be located at 114.9 degrees
West. Satmex 8 is based on SS/L's high power 1300 spacecraft bus which provides the flexibility for a broad
range of applications. It has a planned mission life of 15 years.
Thales Alenia Space Wins Contract to Design and Build APSTAR 7B Telecommunication Satellite
May 10, 2010 - Thales Alenia Space announced that it has signed a contract with the APT Satellite Company
Limited for the design, manufacture and delivery on ground of a high-capacity telecommunication satellite. The
contract also includes Launch Campaign, Launch and Early Operational Phase, In Orbit Tests as well as On Site
Support, Dynamic Satellite Simulator, Satellite Control Centre and Baseband Subsystem. APSTAR 7B will serve
as a back-up satellite for APSTAR 7, which Thales Alenia Space is currently building under the contract with APT.
The satellite is to be designed to provide broadcasting and telecommunications services over an hemispheric
coverage, the Asia Pacific Region, Middle East/North Africa. Based on the Spacebus 4000 C2 platform, APSTAR
7B has technical characteristics similar to APSTAR 7 and is expected to have a minimum of 15 years lifetime.
Lockheed Martin Awarded Contract to Deliver VINASAT-2
May 11, 2010 - Lockheed Martin announced the award of a contract by Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications
Group (VNPT) to build the VINASAT-2 satellite. In-orbit delivery is slated for the second quarter of 2012. Financial
terms were not disclosed. Based on the A2100 spacecraft platform manufactured by Lockheed Martin
Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), VINASAT-2 will be located at 131.8 degrees East and provide a minimum
service life of 15 years. VINASAT-2 will feature 24 Ku-band fixed high power communication channels, providing
uplink and downlink coverage over Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos.
Arianespace to Launch Intelsat 17
May 16, 2010 - Arianespace has signed a contract with Intelsat to launch Intelsat 17. The launch "Service &
Solutions" contract calls for the heavy-lift Ariane 5 ECA to place Intelsat 17 into geostationary transfer orbit at the
end of 2010 from the European Space Port in French Guiana. With a mass of nearly 5800 kg at liftoff, Intelsat 17
will provide higher-performing capacity across Europe, the Middle East, Russia and Asia from its orbital slot of 66
degrees East. This satellite will also expand Intelsat's C-band video distribution community in the Indian Ocean
region. Intelsat 17 will replace the Intelsat 702 satellite.
RSCC Announces Express-AM1 Satellite Failure
May 17, 2010 - The Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) announced that since April 24, the
orbital incline of the Express-AM1 satellite has been impossible to be kept due to a failure on the satellite.
Developed on order of RSCC by NPO Prykladnaya Mechanica together with NEC/TOSHIBA Space Systems,
Express-AM1 was delivered to GEO in October 2004. The satellite carries 9 transponders in C-band, 18
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transponders in Ku-band and 1 transponder in L-band. Express-AM1 is designed to provide multiservice package,
digital TV, telephony, video-conferencing, data transfer, Internet access, mobile communications as well as to
establish VSAT networks.
SES WORLD SKIES Orders New Satellite from Astrium
May 18, 2010 - SES WORLD SKIES has signed an agreement with Astrium, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS,
for the procurement of a new satellite to be named SES-6. Consistent with its approach at other orbital locations,
the deployment of SES-6 to 319.5 degrees East will meaningfully enhance a core SES video neighborhood while
allowing NSS-806, the satellite currently at that location, to be relocated for other missions. SES-6 will offer 50
percent more C-band capacity for the cable community, and retain the unique capability to distribute content
between the Americas and Europe on the same high powered beam. In addition, SES-6 will offer a substantial
upgrade to Ku-band capacity in the region with dedicated high power beams over Brazil, South cone, the Andean
region, North America, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, while also offering an innovative payload to
support mobile maritime and aeronautical services on the highly demanded routes from North America, the Gulf
of Mexico, across the north Atlantic and to Europe. With 43 C-Band and 48 Ku-Band 36 MHz equivalent
transponders, SES-6 is expected to be launched in early 2013 and will have a design life of 15 years.
Arianespace’s Double Success: ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2 in Orbit
May 21, 2010 - On May 21, Arianespace placed two communications satellites into geostationary transfer orbit:
the ASTRA 3B commercial communications satellite for the Luxembourg-based operator SES ASTRA, and the
COMSATBw-2 military communications satellite built by Astrium for the German Ministry of Defense. This launch
is the 50th Ariane 5 launch and 36th success in a row. ASTRA 3B was built by Astrium using a Eurostar 3000M
platform, and weighed 5,500 kg at launch. Fitted with 60 active Ku-band transponders and four Ka-band
transponders, ASTRA 3B will be positioned at 23.5 degrees East. It will deliver high-power broadcast services
across all of Europe, and offers a design life of about 15 years. COMSATBw-2 weighed 2,500 kg at launch and
offers a design life of 15 years. Its coverage zone extends from the Americas to the Far East, and it will be
operated from different sites by German aerospace agency DLR. German armed forces will take advantage of a
secure network for voice, data, fax, video and multimedia transmissions.
Thales Alenia Space Announces Start of Yamal-400 Program
May 28, 2010 - Thales Alenia Space announced the official start of the Yamal-400 program for Russian operator
Gazprom Space Systems (GSS). The two satellites in this program, Yamal-401 and Yamal-402, will provide both
fixed communications and broadcast services. As prime contractor for the Yamal-402 satellite, Thales Alenia
Space is in charge of design, production, testing and turnkey delivery of the satellite, along with its ground
segment. Built on a Spacebus 4000 C3 platform, Yamal-402 will be fitted with 46 Ku-band transponders to cover
five different zones: Russia, North, Europe, South (Africa) and mobile coverage. It will be positioned at 55
degrees East. To be positioned at 90 degrees East, Yamal-401 will be built and integrated under ISS-Reshetnev
responsibility, in conjunction with Thales Alenia Space for the payload and some platform equipment and GSS,
participating in the payload development and responsible for the onboard TT&C and ground control facilities.
Based on the Express 2000 platform, Yamal-401 will be fitted with 36 Ku-band transponders for the North and
Russia coverage zones, and with 17 C-band transponders for broader coverage of the North zone. Both satellites
will be launched by International Launch Services (ILS) on a Proton rocket.
REPORTS
World Teleport Association Publishes Report on Best Practices in Energy Efficiency
May 6, 2010 - The World Teleport Association (WTA) announced the release of a new white paper, Strategies for
Sustainability. The report presents WTA’s findings and outcomes from its March 2010 Member Forum on the
Green Teleport as well as in-depth interviews conducted with early adopters of advanced energy management
solutions among the Association's membership. The report identifies several key business drivers for investing
money and time into making teleports more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable including an
attractive return on investment; regulatory mandates; rising demand from customers; energy market volatility;
public perception; and revenue opportunities.
APPOINTMENTS
Yuri Prokhorov Appointed to the Position of Director General of RSCC
May 14, 2010 - According to the Russian Federal Agency of Communications order No. 60-k dated May 6, 2010,
Yuri Prokhorov has been appointed to the position of Director General of the Russian Satellite Communications
Company (RSCCC). In July 2008, Prokhorov started to work at RSCC as First Deputy Director General. Since
June 2009, he was RSCC’s Acting Director General. Yuri Prokhorov graduated from the Moscow Institute of radio
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technology, electronics and automatics (MIRTEA), radio and technical systems faculty, as an engineer-designer
and technologist of radio-electronic equipment and specialized at postgraduate study in the field of radio location
and radio navigation.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum, June 14, Singapore, www.casbaa.com
CommunicAsia 2010, June 15-18, Singapore, http://www.communicasia.com/main.htm
Satellite Communications Forum, June 16, Singapore, http://www.communicasia.com/main.htm
Editorials and Inquiries
News, comments, and suggestions can be sent to the editor at:
Anna Kim
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:
+82 31 783 6246
Fax:
+82 31 783 6249
E-mail:
editor@apscc.or.kr
Website:
www.apscc.or.kr
About APSCC
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.
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