October 30, 2006
Rumour has it that the Sirius 2 satellite will ultimately be shunted across the arc to join forces with Astra 1D and Astra 3A at the orbital location 23.5° East to provide additional capacity for DTH services.
Sirius 2 is owned by the Scandinavian enterprise Nordic Satellite AB (NSAB) of which Astra SES is the 75% majority stakeholder.
NSAB is currently preparing for the launch of ...
Rumour mill has Sirius 2 moving from 5° E to 23.5° E
by BGonaSTICKRumour has it that the Sirius 2 satellite will ultimately be shunted across the arc to join forces with Astra 1D and Astra 3A at the orbital location 23.5° East to provide additional capacity for DTH services.
Sirius 2 is owned by the Scandinavian enterprise Nordic Satellite AB (NSAB) of which Astra SES is the 75% majority stakeholder.
NSAB is currently preparing for the launch of ...China launches SinoSat-2 satellite
byChina successfully launched a homemade high-power communications and broadcast satellite into space aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket at 0:20 on Sunday. The new-generation SinoSat-2 satellite, launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China's Sichuan Province, is designed to serve broadcast TV, digital TV, live broadcast TV and digital broadband multimedia systems on the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. Satellite separation from the rocket occurred approximately 25 minutes after lift-off. The satellite then successfully entered the geosynchronous transfer orbit. Its orbit will be adjusted several times by commanders on the ground until it is positioned above the equator at 92.2 East Longitude. SinoSat-2, developed and manufactured mainly by the China Academy of Space Technology, weighs about 5.1 tones and has 22 transponders. It has a designed life of 15 years, including 12 years of in-orbit service life. The carrier rocket used in the launch was developed and manufactured by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. The launch marked the 93rd flight of Long March series of carrier rockets and China's 51st consecutive successful space launch since October 1996. Earlier this month, Sun Laiyan, chief of the China National Space Administration, said that the satellite would enable every farming household to receive TV signals using a small dish, thereby bringing educational programs and even remote medical services to farmers. Industrial sources said the launch was a milestone for the communication sector and would most probably speed up the reform of China's satellite TV service by prompting the abolishment of a 13-year-old regulation banning individuals from setting up dish antennas. Industry analysts predict that once individuals are allowed to install satellite dishes, up to 100 million households will do so between 2006 and 2010. China currently has about 400 million television sets, a huge potential market for satellite TV. China has already launched about 50 satellites aboard Long March rockets, which also carried the country's first manned space flight in 2003. Its ambitious space programme includes plans for an orbital moon probe next year and a permanent space laboratory by 2020. The 2003 manned mission made China only the third country to launch an astronaut into space after Russia and the United States.
October 19, 2006
Eutelsat Communications today announced that Astrium will build the HOT BIRD™ 10 broadcast satellite which will be launched in first quarter 2009 and positioned at the Group’s 13 degrees East location. Following HOT BIRD™ 8 and 9, it is the third high-power broadcast satellite based on Astrium’s Eurostar E3000 platform that will be located at Eutelsat’s premium video neighbourhood for cable and satellite broadcasting. Astrium’s Eurostar E3000 platform was selected by Eutelsat for the HOT BIRD™ 8 satellite, which went into full commercial service this month, and HOT BIRD™ 9 which was ordered from Astrium in May this year. With each satellite equipped with 64 high-power Ku-band transponders spanning the entire range of 102 Ku-band frequencies at 13 degrees East, they will together deliver customers exceptional levels of security and in-orbit redundancy for the development of digital entertainment services and HDTV channels. HOT BIRD™ 10’s deployment in 2009 will also enable Eutelsat to pursue its objective to develop video activities at other orbital locations. The new satellite will release the Group’s HOT BIRD™ 7A satellite from 13 degrees East in order for it to be repositioned at the 10 degrees East neighbourhood. The proximity of these two neighbourhoods enables reception of channels from both positions with a single antenna equipped with a dual feed.
Eutelsat orders HOT BIRD™ 10
byEutelsat Communications today announced that Astrium will build the HOT BIRD™ 10 broadcast satellite which will be launched in first quarter 2009 and positioned at the Group’s 13 degrees East location. Following HOT BIRD™ 8 and 9, it is the third high-power broadcast satellite based on Astrium’s Eurostar E3000 platform that will be located at Eutelsat’s premium video neighbourhood for cable and satellite broadcasting. Astrium’s Eurostar E3000 platform was selected by Eutelsat for the HOT BIRD™ 8 satellite, which went into full commercial service this month, and HOT BIRD™ 9 which was ordered from Astrium in May this year. With each satellite equipped with 64 high-power Ku-band transponders spanning the entire range of 102 Ku-band frequencies at 13 degrees East, they will together deliver customers exceptional levels of security and in-orbit redundancy for the development of digital entertainment services and HDTV channels. HOT BIRD™ 10’s deployment in 2009 will also enable Eutelsat to pursue its objective to develop video activities at other orbital locations. The new satellite will release the Group’s HOT BIRD™ 7A satellite from 13 degrees East in order for it to be repositioned at the 10 degrees East neighbourhood. The proximity of these two neighbourhoods enables reception of channels from both positions with a single antenna equipped with a dual feed.
October 13, 2006
Arianespace successfully placed a further two commercial satellites into geostationary transfer orbit today. After an on-time lift-off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, the Ariane 5 launch vehicle went on to deploy DIRECTV 9S for U.S. digital TV service provider DIRECTV, along with the Optus D1 telecommunications spacecraft for Australia's Optus. The launch occurred at 5:56 p.m. local time, providing a rare daytime view of the Ariane 5's ascent, since most missions occur after sunset. As it climbed into clear skies, the vehicle's trajectory was followed downrange by tracking cameras, providing an excellent view of its progress – including the jettison of its solid propellant boosters. Ariane 5 once again demonstrated its excellent accuracy. Provisional parameters at the injection of its ESC-A cryogenic upper stage were: > Perigee: 249.4 km for a target of 249.5 km (±3) > Apogee: 35,940 km for a target of 35,946 km (±160) > Inclination: 6.98 º for a target of 7.0 degrees (±0.06º) It was Arianespace's fourth dual-satellite Ariane 5 mission this year, bringing the total payload mass delivered by the workhorse launcher so far in 2006 to more than 31,670 kg. Overall, Ariane vehicles have orbited a combined total payload mass of over 600 metric tons. DIRECTV 9S weighed approximately 5,535 kg., for today's mission. It was the sixth satellite to be launched by Arianespace for DIRECTV, Inc., the leading provider of digital multi-channel television service in the United States. The broadcast platform was built by U.S. satellite manufacturer Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California.Optus D1 was released as the second payload in Ariane 5's mission sequence. This 2,350 kg. spacecraft is to provide fixed communications and broadcasting satellite services over Australia and New Zealand for Australia's Optus. The satellite was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, Virginia, and is based on the company's successful STAR series of smaller-sized spacecraft. Riding as a piggyback payload on the mission was Japan's LDREX-2, which is designed to validate the deployment process for a large, lightweight antenna reflector that will be used on Japan's ETS-8 engineering test satellite. Mounted to the base of Ariane 5's payload "stack," LDREX-2 was to be commanded through its unfurling sequence after the release of DIRECTV 9S and Optus D1.
DIRECTV 9S and Optus D1 launched
byArianespace successfully placed a further two commercial satellites into geostationary transfer orbit today. After an on-time lift-off from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, the Ariane 5 launch vehicle went on to deploy DIRECTV 9S for U.S. digital TV service provider DIRECTV, along with the Optus D1 telecommunications spacecraft for Australia's Optus. The launch occurred at 5:56 p.m. local time, providing a rare daytime view of the Ariane 5's ascent, since most missions occur after sunset. As it climbed into clear skies, the vehicle's trajectory was followed downrange by tracking cameras, providing an excellent view of its progress – including the jettison of its solid propellant boosters. Ariane 5 once again demonstrated its excellent accuracy. Provisional parameters at the injection of its ESC-A cryogenic upper stage were: > Perigee: 249.4 km for a target of 249.5 km (±3) > Apogee: 35,940 km for a target of 35,946 km (±160) > Inclination: 6.98 º for a target of 7.0 degrees (±0.06º) It was Arianespace's fourth dual-satellite Ariane 5 mission this year, bringing the total payload mass delivered by the workhorse launcher so far in 2006 to more than 31,670 kg. Overall, Ariane vehicles have orbited a combined total payload mass of over 600 metric tons. DIRECTV 9S weighed approximately 5,535 kg., for today's mission. It was the sixth satellite to be launched by Arianespace for DIRECTV, Inc., the leading provider of digital multi-channel television service in the United States. The broadcast platform was built by U.S. satellite manufacturer Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California.Optus D1 was released as the second payload in Ariane 5's mission sequence. This 2,350 kg. spacecraft is to provide fixed communications and broadcasting satellite services over Australia and New Zealand for Australia's Optus. The satellite was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, Virginia, and is based on the company's successful STAR series of smaller-sized spacecraft. Riding as a piggyback payload on the mission was Japan's LDREX-2, which is designed to validate the deployment process for a large, lightweight antenna reflector that will be used on Japan's ETS-8 engineering test satellite. Mounted to the base of Ariane 5's payload "stack," LDREX-2 was to be commanded through its unfurling sequence after the release of DIRECTV 9S and Optus D1.
October 12, 2006
For something so logically straightforward, I've spent nearly twelve hours switching hosts today. Serves us right for having a portal, blog and forum I suppose, as each has a different set of complexities. Actually, I haven't minded doing it at all. Twelve hours of fun as opposed to hard graft, but I've had enough now... need a rest! :D The easiest to do was the blog. OK it's pretty simple internally with only ...
Moving web hosts is so long-winded!
by BGonaSTICKFor something so logically straightforward, I've spent nearly twelve hours switching hosts today. Serves us right for having a portal, blog and forum I suppose, as each has a different set of complexities. Actually, I haven't minded doing it at all. Twelve hours of fun as opposed to hard graft, but I've had enough now... need a rest! :D The easiest to do was the blog. OK it's pretty simple internally with only ...
October 7, 2006
Microsoft Corp's upcoming Windows Vista computer operating system will include technology that is designed to prevent pirated copies from fully functioning, the software giant said. Reduced functionality is already a part of the Windows XP activation process, but Windows Vista will have a reduced functionality mode that is enhanced, Microsoft said on its Web site on Wednesday. Microsoft said the upcoming releases of Windows Vista and also Windows Server "Longhorn" will be ...
Microsoft warns software pirates
by BGonaSTICKMicrosoft Corp's upcoming Windows Vista computer operating system will include technology that is designed to prevent pirated copies from fully functioning, the software giant said. Reduced functionality is already a part of the Windows XP activation process, but Windows Vista will have a reduced functionality mode that is enhanced, Microsoft said on its Web site on Wednesday. Microsoft said the upcoming releases of Windows Vista and also Windows Server "Longhorn" will be ...
October 6, 2006
Freeview is delaying its main marketing spend for its digital TV recorder strategy until the New Year. Though some manufacturers will have Freeview Playback-branded digital TV recorders in shops by Christmas, the main awareness campaign is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2007. Freeview launched its digital TV recorder strategy in May after research suggested that while consumers had high interest in being able to record digital programmes there was little awareness of the tape-free recording technology, resulting in low take-up of digital terrestrial digital TV recorders. Freeview general manager Cary Wakefield told Lovelace Consulting: "The industry has worked incredibly hard over the past four months and has achieved a great deal, with the logo and specification agreed and products already undergoing compliance testing. "A very high standard has been set for Freeview Playback and we're committed to offering a range of quality digital TV recorder products. We're working to clearly define the category for Christmas 2006 and will continue to build upon the momentum generated this year to launch a wide-range of products to consumers in Spring 2007."
Freeview delays Playback campaign
byFreeview is delaying its main marketing spend for its digital TV recorder strategy until the New Year. Though some manufacturers will have Freeview Playback-branded digital TV recorders in shops by Christmas, the main awareness campaign is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2007. Freeview launched its digital TV recorder strategy in May after research suggested that while consumers had high interest in being able to record digital programmes there was little awareness of the tape-free recording technology, resulting in low take-up of digital terrestrial digital TV recorders. Freeview general manager Cary Wakefield told Lovelace Consulting: "The industry has worked incredibly hard over the past four months and has achieved a great deal, with the logo and specification agreed and products already undergoing compliance testing. "A very high standard has been set for Freeview Playback and we're committed to offering a range of quality digital TV recorder products. We're working to clearly define the category for Christmas 2006 and will continue to build upon the momentum generated this year to launch a wide-range of products to consumers in Spring 2007."
