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The article offers news briefs of aerospace and defense industry. Addition of Boeing AH64D Apache attack helicopters by Singapore for electronic-warfare system. Survivability and satellite communications of defense spending and Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Single-test reentry vehicle of the U.S. Air Force.

The article offers brief information on band satellite by Boeing Co.

The article reports that China's state backed satellite industry has signed deals with two of Indonesia's top three satellite operators. PT Indosat Tbk in partnership with Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN), has agreed to purchase a high throughput communications satellite from China's state owned satellite manufacturer, Great Wall Industry Corp. of China.

The article reports that Elon Musk’s space team at SpaceX aims to surpass its annual flight record before the second half of 2017. SpaceX aims to send a flock of 10 Iridium birds into polar orbit from California’s Vandenberg AFB and launch the BulgariaSat1 communications satellite. Hans Koenigsmann, SpaceX vice president of build and flight reliability, says that they have picked up the rate significantly.

The article provides information on Global 6000 business jet of Bombardier Aerospace including its arrival at Cambridge Airport in Great Britain. Topics discussed include extension of canoe fairing and electronic surveillance measure, semiconformal satellite communications antenna, and Saab SwingRole Surveillance System (SRSS).

The article provides information on scheduling for launching three aircraft by Arianespace SA after labor strike at French Guiana. Topics discussed include range of economic sectors from agriculture to tourism, availability of autonomous power and European standard, and security of satellite communications.

The article discusses the impact of Cold War-era capability requirements for U.S. military satellites, arguing that they add unnecessary cost to projects. Topics include the Cold War nuclear-protected communications systems Milstar and Advanced EHF (Extremely High Frequency), cost cutting measures using commercial strategies, and satellite developments by aerospace companies Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

A directory commercial satellite operators, along with information on satellites they operate including ACeS Asia Cellular Satellite, Arab Satellite Communication Organization and Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co.

A directory for commercial satellite operators is presented.

The article presents news briefs related to the aviation and aerospace industry. Space Systems/Loral Inc. will build the next Sirius satellite radio spacecraft under a $260-million deal that includes a Proton launch and $100 million in financing from Loral. Cessna Aircraft Co. plans to display a concept Light Sport Aircraft at the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture show next month. Italian space agency ASI plans to participate in a pair of projects aimed at reinforcing space cooperation with Argentina.

This article presents information about various aircraft contractor and manufacturers profiles. The Nanterre, France-based Alcatel Space designs, manufactures and operates complete turnkey space systems. Develops satellite technologies for telecommunications, navigation, optical and radar observation, meteorology, and environmental and scientific applications. The company is also a prime contractor for Earth observation, meteorology and navigation ground segments, as well as space systems operations. Alcatel Space is a fully-owned subsidiary of Alcatel.

Presents information on spacecrafts available in the United States as of January 19, 2004. Weight of communications satellite Asiasat 2 under contract by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems; Type of orbit of Express 3 communication satellite used by Applied Mechanics Inc.; Name of launch vehicle Insat 2E used by Indian Space Research Organisation.

Lists commercial satellite operators. Address of ACeS ASIA Cellular Satellite; Application of ArabSat 2A satellite; Contact information for Asia Broadcasting and Communications Network Ltd.

Reports on the revitalization of high frequency radio to complement satellite communication in the United States. Advantages in the use of high frequency radios; Details of the laws governing the use of high frequency radios; Impression of young pilots in using high frequency radios.

Details the status of the commercial communications satellites sector. Effects of the Asian economic crisis to the sector; Major multisatellite programs introduced in 1998; Merger between the Celestri program of Motorola and Teledesic.

Reports on the possible growth of aeronautical use of satellites for in-flight telephone service which will lead to a more efficient air traffic management over the oceans. Offering of in-flight telephone service through Imarsat satellite; Costs of satcom services; Suppliers of airborne satcom avionics.

Twelve prospective operators of land mobile satellite systems have introduced specific alternatives into the long-standing debate over how the US will develop and regulate communications by satellite users of thin-route rural and mobile terminals. The initiatives could revolutionize mobile communications in the US, provide telephone service in heretofore underserved areas and enhance the public safety though instantaneous emergency communications.

Failure of the $85 million Hughes/Navy Leasat/Syncom satellite after it was deployed successfully from the shuttle orbiter Discovery, and the subsequent unsuccessful attempt by Mission 5-D crew to activate the spacecraft, will force future satellite designers to include more backup capabilities that will enable Shuttle astronauts to overcome such malfunctions while still in orbit. Hughes is investigating the failure, but has no indication what may have caused it. See also (Time, 4/29/85, 5c

Presents a detailed chart of commercial satellite operators, according to company name, system, and applications. Communications satellite companies; Earth imaging satellites.

Availability of TV programming from satellites operating at C-band and decreasing costs of receiving equipment have boosted US installations on Earth Stations on homeowner premises toward the one-million mark. Legislation defining the legality of leasing the equipment portends an acceleration of this approach to satellite penetration of the consumer market.

The article focuses on the expectation by several U.S. satellite manufacturers that there will be steady orders for new and replacement voice, data and broadcast satellites over the next 10 years starting in 2010. The manufacturers that observe such notion are Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems and Space Systems/Loral. They follow the belief that opportunities in the commercial sector will be expanded by a growing commitment to hosting government payloads.

This section offers news briefs on the U.S. aviation industry. Pratt & Whitney has conducted hover pit tests on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth development center. United Launch Alliance plans to launch the Air Force's second Wideband Global Satcom satellite on board an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral. Astrium Services has concluded an agreement to lease UHF capacity on its U.K. Skynet 5 milsatcom network to the Navy.

The article presents an outlook for the U.S. commercial communications satellite industry. The author estimates that the market will turn robust by 2014. According to him, the market will only turn lucrative if remote-sensing products will become a part of daily life. He also predicts that government contracts are not sufficient to foster further improvements in the communications satellite industry.

The article reports that Lockheed Martin will continue work on its first Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) spacecraft as the U.S. Department of Defense debates how to proceed with the Transformational Satellite (TSAT) program. The AEHF system will be part of a new series of satellites that will follow the Milstar constellation and will also provide jam-proof communications for users until the next program.

The article offers updates on the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellite, which has been in orbit over the Pacific Ocean for a year. It provides the same amount of high-bandwidth capacity as the entire Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) that WGS is beginning to replace. The WGS network is used by all the military services and is based on Boeing's workhorse 702 commercial satellite and it has features that allow operators to detect the presence of jamming or other interferences.

The article reports that engineers at Lockheed Martin are preparing the first new-generation anti-jam military communications satellite for launch early in 2009. The initial Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite will mark a dramatic change in the capacity of secure communications available to U.S. Department of Defense users between 65 degree North and 65 degree South latitudes.

The article reports that by Thales Alenia Space to remain competitive in the face of the swooning dollar could put the Thales-Finmeccanica venture on a collision course with U.S. export control rules, if rival Space Systems/Loral has its way, according to the author. Thales Alenia is one of the top telecom satellite suppliers. It received orders for six GEO telecom spacecraft last year-four of them on a co-prime contractor basis with EADS Astrium-after landing five in 2006.

The article reports on the growth of the fixed-service satellite (FSS) sector across the world. High demand in Europe, the Middle East/North Africa and some sectors of the North American market is driving growth in the sector, helped along by a bevy of new satellite slots in Canada and projects in emerging markets. According to Euroconsult and the London Satellite Exchange, FSS transponders over Europe, the Middle East and North Africa are 90 percent full.

The article reports on the emergence of a new wave of Asian and European hybrid spectrum geostationary mobile service satellites (MSS) in 2008. The hybrid systems substantially increase bandwidth while permitting quality affordable reception everywhere, including indoors. The European Commission is expected to open bidding this year for 60 MHz of S-band hybrid spectrum to be awarded by early 2009. It is stated that a second wave of geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) hybrid networks is emerging in Asia.

The article offers an outlook for the global satellite communications industry. The industry, as a whole, is strengthening, with fixed-satellite services showing continued growth in North America and Europe and signs of a rebound in Asia and South America. To meet the demand, 27 geostationary commercial communications satellites were ordered in 2006. Eleven of the 27 ordered went to U.S. manufacturers. European manufacturers of geosynchronous-orbit (GEO) commercial communications satellites fared better.

This article reports that small mobile phones which insurgents and terrorists use to trigger explosives and organize ambushes are computers; and if there are multiple phones, they have created a computer network. While these wireless network communications, which can use cellular, satellite, PDA and BlackBerry hand-held devices, are low power and offer several layers of encryption, with the right cyber-tools, they can be identified, tracked, infiltrated, mined for information and, if desired, attacked. U.S. Air Force (USAF) officials say that as the service has improved overall electronic attack capabilities, coverage was added in the electromagnetic spectrum that provides portals into wireless phone networks. But USAF officials also caution that large, slow electronic support aircraft are vulnerable targets that can't penetrate enemy air defenses.

The article reports that the French military is preparing to finally launch its first dedicated EHF satellite communications spacecraft, with the hope of being ready to support deployed forces around year-end. After development and, more recently, launcher induced delays, the Alcatel Alenia Space Syracuse 3A spacecraft is to launch on an Ariane 5 from Kourou, French Guiana, on September 29. The launch was initially planned for late 2004. The spacecraft has been at Kourou since May, waiting for Arianespace to find a suitable companion payload.

The article reports that demand for new geostationary commercial communications satellites remains flat, even as new services like high-definition television and satellite delivery of local broadcasts force operators to upgrade their in-orbit fleets. With orders running at 15 or 16 spacecraft a year, overcapacity continues to plague satellite manufacturing worldwide. Digital Audio Radio Service, a hot new application, is pulling in new subscribers for satellite radio programming by the hundreds of thousands. But the consumer demand doesn't necessarily translate into demand for new spacecraft, even as companies like XM Satellite Radio Inc. and Sirius prepare to introduce new services with their existing equipment.

The article reports that a few intelligence and communications initiatives are headed for growth in the Fiscal 2006 Pentagon budget request, even though the spending proposal cuts procurement and shifts the military's spending focus from the Air Force and Navy to ground forces. Spending for military space, however, stands out for having not only escaped the budget ax but also receiving additional money. Proposed increases would cover cost overruns on several projects and attempt to revitalize the Space Radar (formerly Space-Based Radar) and Transformational Satellite Communication projects that have foundered because of congressional concerns.

This article informs that the U.S. Defense Department is the world's single largest buyer of commercial satellite services, and this need is driving a rush of acquisitions among larger industry players. So insatiable is the Pentagon's demand that more than 80% of the military's satellite communications coming out of the Persian Gulf region are being transmitted by commercial spacecraft. The U.S. military's strong bandwidth requirement has served to buoy the bottom line for many operators. Although it's unclear just how much the military will continue to use commercial capacity, the cuts in dedicated military satellite programs in the U.S. defense budget suggest that commercial operators will continue to supply significant capacity for some time.

Commercial communications satellite program managers interested in more financing for existing or startup satellite communication ventures need to act now, during a period of apparent or forecast economic growth, to obtain that money, according to bankers and other satellite finance experts. Financing for existing projects is clearly available, and managers should act to secure it over the near term rather than bet schedules on what the global financing situation will be later, finance managers told a Euroconsult forum in Paris, France. Although satellite communications (satcom) are a specialized sector, bankers like the satcom business because it is easier to understand than many other media/telecommunication subsectors, and its cash flows are relatively easy to model.

The struggling digital audio radio pioneer, WorldSpace Inc., is being forced to revamp its strategy to stay in business, even as other vaunted new satellite services, which analysts are counting on to help drive recovery of the commercial space sector, are reporting promising growth. Chairman/CEO Noah Samara said the company would throttle back attempts to broadly penetrate new markets in Africa and Asia, where it has operating spacecraft and focus on three key areas, France, India and China. France is planned to be the core of a new mobile digital audio network, similar to XM Satellite Radio and Sirius in North America, designed to bring clear quality programming to automobile drivers throughout Europe. The prolonged startup pains of WorldSpace, which mirror initial difficulties encountered in the U.S. digital radio projects, stand in contrast to the more successful introduction of another new service, regional mobile satellite communications.

Analyzes the business strategies of European satellite manufacturers. Decrease in satellite sales; Implementation of telecom technologies and military applications to promote sales of satellites; Corporate deals of various satellite manufacturers; Proposals for the development of low cost terminals.

Focuses on the business strategies of geostationary communication satellite manufacturers in the U.S. Recession in communication satellite market; Description of various technological applications implemented in satellites for sales promotion.

Focuses on the exhibit hall display of Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. at the World Space Congress in Houston, Texas. Development of Iridium low-Earth orbit communication satellite; Commitment of the U.S. government to space program; Business success of the company.

Examines the role of the U.S. Navy in increasing military satellite communication bandwidth to support Special Forces operations. Focus on maintaining intelligence operations over the Afghan battlefield; Way of supporting the Marine Corps; Benefits of reorganizing the Navy.

Reports on capital markets' lukewarm reaction to commercial satellite ventures in the wake of poor performance and other factors. Investment climate; Status of financing on the Globalstar mobile satellite system and the digital satellite radio efforts of XM Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio.

Reports on satellite-telephone service Loral Space & Communications' denial of rumors that it is entertaining merger options. Analysts' similar view of United States satellite service provider PanAmSat; Most important step for Loral in the near-term; Financial results of parent Globalstar Telecommunications.

Reports on the optimism by financial and space industry experts on the prospects for broadband telecommunications and other satellite applications. Arguments in favor of broadband; Comments of Banc of America Securities chief financial officer Armand Musey on the issue; Sectors tipped for potential growth.

Reports on DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG and Pacific Center Group's formation of a joint venture to provide space and terrestrial-based broadband satellite access to subscribers in the Asia-Pacific region. Scheduled start of service; Transponders which will be used to provide service; Goals of the venture; Focus of new projects in the broadband sector.

Focuses on the geostationary sector of the satellite communications business as of September 13, 1999. Increase in sales of geostationary satellites to television and telecommunications companies projected for the year 1999; Increase in number of satellite launches; Problems faced by the market.

Outlines the technology trends in the aviation industry and how they could alter the space landscape. Features of the geosynchronous spacecraft; Emergence of on-board processing, power and communication satellites; Significance of advanced flywheel technology; Major changes in the trend of aviation technology.

Focuses on Orbcomm Global LP's efforts to become the world's first fully operational global satellite data and messaging communications system in low Earth orbit (LEO). Basic constellation; Expected launch into commercial service; System reliability; Background information on the company; Services to be provided; Advantages in using the Orbcomm system; Applications.

Reports that the United States has set up advanced satellite communications in Bosnia. Use of direct broadcast and other commercial satellites; Delivery of imagery and classified information to United States and allied forces there; The existing program known as Information Dominance for Joint Endeavor.

Discusses the possible effects of the introduction of satellite communication, navigation, surveillance and new traffic management technologies on the air transportation. Required navigation performance standard; Revision of North Atlantic tracks; One side benefit of satellite navigation.