People

AGI: Names Regional Sales Director

Jeffrey McCrindle is now eastern regional sales director for AGI. In this new position, he will manage all field teams serving the eastern United States and all of Canada as they support sales of AGI’s aerospace analysis and visualization software, STK.

McCrindle joined AGI in 2002 as the business development lead for Air Force and Army programs. Previously he served as business development manager for Vertel Corp.

ASCENT MEDIA: Promotes President And CEO

Kenneth Williams is now president and chief executive officer of Ascent Media Group.

Williams was COO of Ascent Media Group since August 2002. Prior to joining the company, he served as president of Technicolor Digital Cinema LLC.

NEW SKIES: Welcomes New Sales Director

New Skies Satellites N.V. named Max Chung as the company’s new sales director for North Asia.

Chung oversees the sale of New Skies’ satellite capacity and associated value-added services to broadcasters, telecommunications companies, corporate enterprise customers and Internet service providers.

Chung joins New Skies from Pacific Century Matrix in Hong Kong.

VISTA: Appoints CFO

Vista Satellite Communications Inc. appointed Robert Kinzer as chief financial officer. He is responsible for the financial management and reporting, administration and system controls at the company.

Prior to joining Vista, Kinzer was chief financial officer for Spiegel Associates.

Services

GLOBECAST: Extends Global Reach

Globecast extended the reach of its Global ATM Fiber Network to Sydney, thus providing connectivity between Australia and points of presence in Europe, the United States and Asia.

The fiber network interconnects Globecast teleports and technical operations centers worldwide for point-to-point video and data delivery between hubs, as well as one-hop global access to Globecast’s network of DTH and cable satellite platforms.

ILC: Increases European Presence

ILC, developer of the network control software MaxView, established ILC Europe to support ILC’s growing roster of Europe-based customers. New Director of ILC Europe, Nicolas Pry, heads this expansion plan.

MARLINK: Boosts Service Portfolio

Marlink will add Telenor’s new E-Mail Advanced service to its portfolio of e-mail value-added services designed for customers communicating from remote locations on land or at sea.

E-Mail Advanced operates with most Inmarsat maritime and land mobile technologies, including Inmarsat A, B, M, Mini-M, GAN and Fleet services.

PATRIOT ANTENNA SYSTEMS: Offers New Program

Patriot Antenna Systems introduced its "Receive Today, Transmit Tomorrow" offer. Patriot’s commercial grade "receive-only" offset antennas give networks the flexibility to transmit with the same dishes at any time in the future with the purchase of Patriot’s tx/rx feed assembly. Upgrades can be done in the field on Ku-, Ka- or C-band systems, and no re-pointing of the reflector is necessary if looking at the same satellite.

SEA LAUNCH: Offers Land-Based Launches

Sea Launch will offer launch services from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan beginning in 2005, in addition to its sea-based launches at the Equator.

The land launch system will use a version of the Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket to lift commercial satellites in the 2,000-3,500 kg range to geosynchronous transfer orbit, and heavier payloads to inclined or lower orbits. A two-stage configuration of the same rocket will also be available for launching heavy payloads, or groups of payloads, to LEO.

Contracts

GLOBECOMM: Awarded Multiple Contracts

Globecomm Systems Inc. won multiple satellite infrastructure contracts and a service contract with an aggregate value of approximately $4.4 million. The satellite services contract was awarded from a repeat customer. Under the terms of the contract, Globecomm will host an international VSAT service from the company’s Long Island International Teleport in New York.

Two repeat customers, though not disclosed, selected Globecomm to expand their current networks by each implementing a new satellite infrastructure. Another customer procured subscriber terminal equipment as part of a previously announced direct-to-home project.

INTELSAT: Teams Up With Orbit Data Systems

Intelsat and Orbit Data Systems Ltd. (ODSL) are planning a two-way, satellite-based broadband Internet access service to be available directly to consumers and Small Office/Home Office users in the Middle East. In a multi-year agreement, Intelsat will provide the integrated, end-to-end network connectivity, while ODSL will be responsible for sales, marketing and retail distribution of the service in the Middle East region.

The service will provide consumers with capabilities for Web browsing, e-mail, file transfer, audio/video streaming and distance learning at high speeds.

MTN: Signs Deal With Oceania Cruises

Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN) signed a three-year lease agreement with Oceania Cruises to install MTN’s advanced satellite technology aboard the luxury vessels Regatta and Insignia.

Oceania Cruises will add global connectivity capabilities to its list of guest amenities. MTN’s VSAT equipment will enable passengers and crew to enjoy telecommunications from remote locations, including telephone and fax service, and secure Internet access to send and receive data.

MICROSPACE: Partners With iBiquity Digital Corp.

Microspace Communications Corp. and iBiquity Digital Corp., a developer and licenser of digital AM and FM broadcast technology in the United States, signed an agreement to integrate HD Radio data services into Microspace’s Velocity satellite service.

The partnership will offer content providers a means for distributing content directly to stations for real-time and archival insertion within their HD Radio broadcasts.

ND SATCOM: Wins Reconstruction Contract

ND Satcom AG was selected by the International Air Transport Association to implement a satellite-based air traffic control network for the Iraqi airspace as part of the reconstruction process. The network, consisting of six satellite ground stations, will enable IATA to re-open the airspace, which has been closed down for more than 12 years, to civil air traffic.

ORBITAL: Wins Contract From Motorola

Orbital Sciences Corp.’s Transportation Management Systems division (Orbital TMS) won an $8.4 million contract to supply its Orbcad communications and dispatch software system in the San Diego, CA, area. Orbital TMS was selected by Motorola Inc.’s Commercial, Government and Industrial Solutions Sector to supply and install in-vehicle components and control center software for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board’s (MTDB) new Regional Transit Management System.

Orbital TMS will install its Orbcad system to improve MTDB’s efficiency in managing and controlling its bus and service vehicle fleet.

Technology

AAE SYSTEMS: Presents The Eclipse DSM 1

AAE Systems introduced the DSM 1, the primary building block of the AAE Eclipse MF-TDMA DAMA-based VSAT network. The DSM 1 is a self-contained DAMA remote node modem that supports bandwidth efficient, topology-flexible DAMA solutions for convergent communications. The DSM 1 modem operates in shared and multi-carrier networks. The DSM 1 ensures maximum utilization of the total allocated satellite bandwidth by employing dynamic frequency hopping among assigned carriers and supports user throughput rates of up to 3 Mbs by engaging an IP-based carrier, QoS, and an L-band IF interface.

The DSM 1 may be used in Mesh, Star and DVB hybrid topologies. (AAE Systems Inc., 642 North Pastoria Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085; Tel: 408-732-1710; Fax: 408-732-3095; Web: http://www.aaesys.com )

CODEM: Debuts Antenna Control System

Codem Systems Inc. released a modular, touch screen antenna control unit (ACU) workstation to complement its suite of antenna control products. The ACU workstation includes the antenna control features traditionally provided in a Codem controller, along with an ergonomic touch screen interface, integrated Web cam and VoIP intercom.

A remote user can maintain real-time observation of the antenna and establish a voice intercom link with the local ground station personnel without the need for separate video or phone networks. (Codem Systems Inc., 7 Executive Park Dr., Merrimack, NH 03054; Tel: 603/429-0111; Fax: 603-429-0155; Web: http://www.codem.com )

CPI SATCOM: Premieres New Family Of TWTAs

Communications and Power Industries (CPI) Satcom Division introduced a family of broadband traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) to support the millimeter wave market. The three outdoor amplifiers provide from 120 to 250 watts of RF power, and measure 10.25" x 9.5" x 20". (CPI Satcom Division, 811 Hansen Way, P.O. Box 51625, Palo Alto, CA 94303; Tel: 650/846-3803; Web: http://www.cpii.com/satcom )

HELIUS: Introduces MediaGate Router

Helius Inc. introduced its MediaGate Router for Hughes Direcway Satellite Internet Service. The Hughes Direcway service provides broadband satellite Internet connectivity, and the Helius MediaGate Router adds critical routing and network functionality for sites with multiple workstations or for sites using diverse operating systems. The Helius MediaGate Router works with Hughes’ one-way and two-way service. (Helius Inc., 333 South 520 W., Suite 330, Lindon, UT 84042; Tel: 801/764-9020; Fax: 801/764-9022; Web: http://www.helius.com )

SEA TEL: Releases New Line Of Antennas

Sea Tel introduced its new 04 Series of marine stabilized TV antennas. This series is an advanced state-of-the-art TVRO product line designed to deliver greater range, higher performance and more accurate stabilization.

The line consists of four different size models–30-, 40-, 50- and 60-inch antenna dishes. (Sea Tel, 4030 Nelson Ave., Concord, CA 94520; Tel: 925/798-7979; Fax: 925/798-7986; Web: http://www.seatel.com )