Conference 7.286::space

    I have wondered that too. There just doesn't seem to be enough there
    to warrant the cost. Same for ELVs. The only conclusion that I came
    to was that the space 'industry' is a spinoff of the
    military-industrial complex where minor things like cost are ignored.
    
    I wonder what it would cost to lauch Explorer I today.
    
    It follows from this that there should be a lot of money to be made
    from cheap, small ELVs, like the proposed Industrial Launch Vehicle.
    
    gary

    There are a number of considerations for satellites which can easily
    push the cost factor way out there.  I don't know that the sum total
    justifies the unit cost, but then again, since these critters aren't
    exactly mass produced or made on assembly lines, the cost will of
    necessity be very high.  Consider:
    
    o Necessity of radiation shielding/hardening for circuitry
    
    o Power supply (photocells aren't exactly cheap)
    
    o Environmental concerns (operation at extremely low and high
      temperature variations)
    
    o Sophisticated alloys for moveable parts to avoid vacuum welding
      effects
    
    o Fairly high tolerances for wave guides, etc., used for the
      communications electronics
    
    There are probably a lot more, but I can't really see how this will
    push the cost of a satellite into the tens of millions of dollars.
    

    I have toured TRW at Space Park (I guess thats in El Segundo) where
    they were building the TDRSS and other satellites. There is a lot
    of commonality between various birds. They aren't exactly mass produced
    but they aren't custom built either. Both TRW and Hughes, and probably
    others, are almost production line shops. 
    
    I'm not saying they can be simple and cheap, but I'm certain there
    is a lot padding of the budget there.
    
    gary

    You also need to consider engineering amortization and return on
    investment.  Both of these will add significantly to the cost for
    low volume operations.  If you have enormous numbers of people working
    on the engineering of one of these beasts, then that is an enormous
    number that you must add to the cost of each satellite to pay it
    off.  Ditto, if you have an enormous number of people working on
    building them, or buildings/offices/jigs/you-name-it tied up building
    them, you have to consider what else you might have done with these
    people/things, and charge enough for the satellite to make it
    worthwhile to build it rather than toasters or cars.

    Burns
    

My guess is that the high cost of building comsats and other birds is the
cost of doing it absolutely right the first time.

Have you ever looked at the cost of MIL-grade components?  Sky-high.  The stuff
used for spacecraft is required to have an even higher quality level.  But
that's only the tip of the iceberg.

You can't just throw in redundancy, you have to design it in correctly:
	- You have to be able to diagnose ANY problem (this is HARD for
		 complex systems).  Oh, by the way, you can't hook up
		 a 'scope to shoot the problem with.
	- Once you do that, the switchover mechanism can't fail
	- The number of spares you can afford to include is limited
	- etc.

And, oh yeah, let's not forgot vibration, G-forces during launch, radiation
(look what happened to AO-10), thermal stress.....

Designing and building a complex something with a 5 year mission reliability
of 99+% is not an easy job.  This implies that the design and design
analysis are a very tough job, the manufacturing process has to be under
incredible control, and the checkout procedures have to be exhaustive.  You
can't afford to have any latent defects in one of these birds, because you
can't repair it.  We couldn't hope to build one with the processes we have
in any of our plants, or design it with our present design processes.

Having standard bits and pieces around is only the initial phase of the
overall design process.  To make better use of limited geosynchronous
orbital slots, frequency bands, provide newly-possible capabilities, etc.,
one has to continually apply the most advanced technology available -
meaning the KISS approach and the mass manufacture of jelly-bean satellites
is probably untenable.

And I haven't talked about SYSTEM design - overall function of bird, and the
communications system it sits in.  Major ECO's are kind of hard to do in
orbit, where firmware work-arounds are the only possible method.

    Perhaps there is a market for "bargan basement" communication
    satelites.  I expect there is a point on the cost vs. reliability
    curve where a company could make a profit selling cheaper but less
    reliable comsats.
    
    I can see the ads now:  "How do we do it?  VOLUME, VOLUME, VOLUME!"
    :-)

VNS TECHNOLOGY WATCH:                           [Mike Taylor, VNS Correspondent]
=====================                           [Nashua, NH, USA               ]

    Comsat General Corp. and Matsushita Electric works Ltd. have
    jointly developed a flat satellite antenna for the consumer
    market to replace the parabolic dishes in use today.  flat
    antennas have previously been used only in military
    applications.  The new antenna uses a multilayer planar array
    rather than the phased array system used by the military and
    operates in the Ku band.  It is suitable for both the US
    fixed satellite service (FSS) and the Japanese and European
    direct broadcast by satellite (DBS) systems.  The new antenna
    was unveiled in London and will go on sale by the end of the
    year.  Matsushita hints that it plans a version that could be
    built into portable TVs. 
    {Electronics April 2, 1987}
    
    [This strikes me as another case where American consumers
    will have to buy something from Japan that could and should
    have been avaliable from US suppliers years ago, except that
    it was withheld by US DoD. If the US were serious about
    cutting the trade deficit it would release the technology 
    currently being withheld for "national security" reasons to the
    consumer market. -- mjt] 

  <><><><><><><>   VNS Edition : 1294     Tuesday  7-Apr-1987   <><><><><><><>

    re: .6
    
    Volume won't solve the problem either.  There are a finite number
    of geosynchronous slots, and quite frankly the ower of the slot
    is going to want a lot of bang for the buck.
    
    Other areas of complexity:
    
      The positioning thrusters have to be reliable and precise.
      Hyperglolic (sp?) motors are not easily tested.
    
      Satellites normally have a section that spins (for radiational
      distribution and stability), while the antenna/attitude controls
      remain stable.  That has to be a blast to hook together neatly.
    
    
    - dave

      re: .8 
    
      > Satellites normally have a section that spins (for radiational
      > distribution and stability), while the antenna/attitude controls
      > remain stable.  That has to be a blast to hook together neatly.
    
    On the program "Rocky Road to Jupiter", they discussed the construction
    and design of the Galilio spacecraft.  One of the things that they
    mentioned was that upper portion of the ship, antenna and all, rotated,
    while the lower portion (containing the atmosphere probe) did not
    spin.  They commented on the difficulties of such a hookup and stated
    that this was the FIRST time such a configuration had been used
    (part rotating, part not).  Did I miss something?
    
    jim
    

    I caught part of a program last night which went into considerable
    detail about geosynchronous satellites.  I missed the introduction,
    but from hints in the part I did get I got the impression that there
    are two kinds of geosynchronous satellites: "spinners" and those
    that don't spin.  The lecturer didn't give any examples of either
    kind (at least while I was watching) and didn't explain how the
    antennae is stablized in the "spinners".
    
    There was a lot of detail on the Earth-direction sensors and on
    the orbit adjustment methods.  It was on the G2 satellite, one of
    the low-numbered transponders, around 7:30 to 8 PM.
        John Sauter

    re .8
    
    Hypergolic engines are probably the simplest liquid engines to test.
    They don't require complex ignition systems and the small ones are
    probably pressure fed, so no turbopumps to worry about.
    
    However, any liquid propellant engine design for multiple uses over
    a long period of time can be and almost certainly is test fired
    before launch.
    
    In general, I still think they are way overpriced. I am not saying
    they are simple to build, but remember that when Hughes (for example)
    sell a comsat, its a standard design. And the development of that
    design has been largely paid for by NASA and DoD. Its reasonable
    for them to capitalise on that work, but I still do not understand
    why they charge SO much.
    
    gary

    re about .9:  I have not seen "The Rocky Road..." yet (in the can,
    but not out the TV), but there must be a difference of interpretation.
    A number of comsats spin the main body but have despun sections.
    I'm sure I have read about them in AWST.  In fact, isn't the Syncom
    that was repaired in orbit that way?  In any case, perhaps the
    statement was about planetary probes (although the ESA Halley probe
    was spun).  Like someone said, it sounds like a real blast to design
    and keep this thing going for years!  Must take a good deal of rocket
    power to keep the two sections spinning (or not) at the right rate.
    
    Burns
    

    I can not rember the person name but there has been a proposal
    to help cut down the cost of com sat in geo orbits.  The idea 
    is to launch a space platform into geo orbit, it would be a robotic
    refuling station and could fix com sat in geo orbit,
    cons) normally when a bird runs out of fule at its normal design
          life it is obsolete and a new one would be actually cheaper
    
    pro)  yes that is true but one could sell them to newly developing
          countries.  The satellites would still have usefull bandwidth
          number of ch. etc for such countries, or develope a second
          hand market place where threwput is not as important as cost.
                                  
    pro)  the power supply and house keeping tech does not change, only
          the comm electronic, thus if the units were moudles the
          space platform could also updat older satellites with new
          comm electronics,
    
    so what I wanted to get across is there are ways to decress the
    cost of comm sat -  and it basicly comes with the developement of
    competiteion .  This is an example of how that could happen.
    

    A robotic refueling station in geosynchronous orbit sounds a little
    too high-tech to be feasible.  Such a station would itself have
    to be in geosynchronous orbit, and would have to fly between the
    communications satellites to repair and refuel them.  That makes
    it a lot more complex than a communications satellite, and thus
    a lot more likely to break down.  Do we launch two or three, and
    let them repair each other?  That's possible, I suppose, but I don't
    think anybody knows how to build such a robot.
    
    A major resource constraint for geosynchronous communication satellites
    is orbital positions.  The satellites must be spaced far apart,
    so that their signals won't interfere with each other when received
    on the ground by inexpensive equipment.  The constraints of a Clarke
    orbit mean that they must all be positioned along a line.  This
    severely limits the number of satellites "visible" from any particular
    point on the Earth's surface.  Points near the equator can "see"
    more satellite positions than points far from the equator, of course.
    
    The effect on the orbit position limitations is that an old satellite
    will likely be retired in favor of a newer one at the same position.
    To be sure, an old satellite could be moved to a new position,
    overlooking a "newly developing" country, but it would have to be
    refuelled and possibly repaired first, and that would be expensive.
        John Sauter

>    This
>    severely limits the number of satellites "visible" from any particular
>    point on the Earth's surface.  Points near the equator can "see"
>    more satellite positions than points far from the equator, of course.

I think you're wrong on this, John.
A station at the pole (north or south) could see ALL the geosynchronous
sats, albeit just at the horizon.  From the equator, a sat station can see
only about half of the Clarke orbit.

>    The effect on the orbit position limitations is that an old satellite
>    will likely be retired in favor of a newer one at the same position.

Quite true, and the third world wants slots saved for them.  What's
current spacing? Last I recall it was between 1/2 a degree and 2 degrees.
(This, by the way, is the overwhelming argument against powersats.
They have to be in geosynchronous orbit too, and their microwave beams
would wipe out a band a lot bigger than the few degrees needed for comm.)

- tom]

    A minor nit with .14...
    
    Geosynch satellites do not have to be in equatorial orbit,
    geostationary satellites do. While most (all?) geosynch comsats
    are also geostationary it is not an absolute requirement. Many years
    ago I did some work with automatic picture transmission from ATS-1
    which was in a non-stationary geosynch orbit. Its movement did not
    present any problems even with the fairly directional antennae we
    were using. Its ground track was a figure 8 pattern.
    
    However, if they continue to use geostationary orbits it is argument
    against .13. Given limited real estate there would be a lot of pressure
    to replace an aging satellite with a newer, more capable bird to
    make the most of the orbital slot.
    
    gary

In fact a geostationary satellite is right on the horizon at about 84
degrees latitude.  In practical terms the satellite must be some distance
above the horizon in order to avoid problems with objects on the ground and
ground-based microwave emissions.  It gets increasingly difficult to set up
a simple dish at latitudes above about 60 degrees. 

Because of this the Russian Molinya TV satellites are in geosynchronous 
(non-equatorial) orbits which allow relatively good reception at higher
latitudes. 

jb

    re .17
    
    I thought the Molinya comsats were in highly elliptical orbits to
    allow them to deal with higher latitudes. Or are there more than
    one type of Molinya?
    
    gary

    <begin keyword association braindump>
    
    Turns out that the Viking orbiter was also in a non-stationary
    geosynchronous (well, all right, cyntheosynchronous) orbit while
    searching for landing sites for the lander.  It synchronous so they
    could keep examining a small area on the planet, but elliptical
    so that there would be periods of the orbit when the orbiter was
    much closer than the Martian stationary orbit altitude.
    
    Burns
    

    to help the cost of the refuling platform it would not be
    on the equator, but one that would walk threw it in a fig
    8 pattern, thus little fule is ever spent getting to a 
    satellite if you can wait or plan ahead.  One major expense
    if it were maned would be a fallout shelter. Solar flares
    would be a very dangerous event and the platform  would need
    a fallout shelter,
    
    One of the reason for high cost is the lack of field service, 
    thus spending 250 dollar for a gold plated rs232 25 pin DIN
    connector sounds like a resonable things to do (yes that is
    the real price) the other is the radiation belts, you must
    use rad harden parts and they cost..
    john

    	Isn't cyntheo associated with Venus, not Mars?
                                                  
    	Larry
    

    re .21
    
    You could be right.  I'll try to find it.
    
    Burns
    

    re .21 and .22:
    
    Looks like we are both wrong.  Cynthia is the Greek name for Artemis,
    goddess of the moon.
    
    On the other hand, Aphrodite, the Greek version of the Roman Venus,
    is also known as Cytheria.  So who knows?  I could not find the
    Mars reference that I thought I had.
    
    Sigh
    
    Burns
     

    

Re: .18

Now you say it I think you are right.  But I do know you don't need a
steerable dish to receive the signals.  I expect there are a number of
different orbits that could be used to acheive this.

My main point in .17 was that geostationary satellites are not much use for 
higher latitudes.

jb

    re: .24--I thought you did need a steerable dish to receive Molinya.
    Don't they have several satellites in slow polar orbits, with the
    requirement that your dish not only track them, but switch between
    them?  I think I read about it in TV Guide.
        John Sauter

Non-equitorial geosynchronous orbits are possible, but they still take up
an equitorial  slot, since they have to cross the equator twice a day.
(Or they have to  be disabled while they swing through the equator.)

Is a non-circular pseudo-synchronous orbit possible?
This would be one with a period of one day, but an asymmetric
time coverage of the parts of the earth underneath,  say 10 hours
over 40-60 degrees of orbit.  

- tom]

    Well, the Molinya discussion sent me off to the reference books...
    
    Two Molinya types are currently in service, Molinya 1 and Molinya 3.
    Both use highly elliptical orbits with perigee approx 452 km, apogee
    approx 40,800 km, inclination approx 63 degrees. Orbital period is 12
    hours. Ground tracks during apogee bisect the USSR and North America.
    The ground track during apogee looks like a slightly bent hairpin (not
    easy to describe). Molinya 2's are no longer in service, having been
    replaced by Molinya 3's and the Statsionar system (geostationary
    comsats). 
    
    Molinya 1's are spaced 45 degrees apart  and Molinya 3's are 90 degrees
    apart. There is a seperate constellation of Molinya 3's that apogee
    over the Pacific and northern Atlantic for maritime communications.
    Th entire system is called Orbita. There are typically 5 M-1's and
    3 M-3's in view of each Orbita ground station at any time. The ground
    path during apogee is such that the satellites do not appear to
    move a great deal which would simplify antennae positioning.
    
    Some Molinya 1's also carry cameras for cloud observation. They
    are also used to provide comm links to Soyuz vehicles (and Salyut/Mir
    as well, I presume).
    
    There was one Molinya 1S, an operational test for their Statsionar
    program.
    
    gary
        

    The Molinya when over the north pole 'moves' from the earth station
    point of view very slowly.  One can use a wide beam width ant with
    a good low noise preamp.  As can be seen from a typical ground 
    station near Boston Mass even with high gain (thus narrow beam width)
    one does not have to move the ant. very often if they only want
    the best part of the orbit.  In 20 min it only move a few deg thus
    1/2 hour to 1 hour manual tweaking or just picking the sweet part
    of the orbit ( USSE to FCC path or Washington to Moscow path) no
    adjustments would be needed.
    
     M test  Lat=   42.6 Long=   71.4  Ht=  60.m  Window Limit=  0.0 deg
     Element Set 23: MOLNIYA 1-65 (OBJ 16187 Set: 210)                           
     Doppler shift calculated for    970.000 mhz

      U.T.C.    AZ   EL  DOPPLER  RANGE   HEIGHT   LAT   LONG  PHASE
     HHMM:SS   deg  deg     hz      km      km    N+S-   W+E-  <256>
      4/14/87 TUE               -----DAY # 104----ORBIT #   1082----
     1800:00   265   60       0   12236   11643   38.0   97.1    19
     1810:00   281   66  -10872   14254   13844   43.3   94.6    22
     1820:00   296   68  -10537   16242   15904   47.5   92.4    26
     1830:00   309   69  -10051   18152   17833   50.8   90.4    29
     1842:00   321   69   -9406   20317   19987   53.9   88.2    34
     1850:00   328   69   -8973   21680   21332   55.6   86.8    36
     1902:00   336   68   -8338   23606   23226   57.7   84.7    41
     1906:00   338   68   -8133   24217   23826   58.3   84.0    42
     1924:00   345   67   -7253   26783   26343   60.5   81.2    49
     1940:00   350   66   -6531   28827   28350   61.9   78.9    54
     2016:00   356   65   -5078   32689   32161   63.7   74.4    67
     2204:00     3   67   -1607   39224   38765   62.5   69.3   106
     2226:00     2   68    -990   39753   39335   61.6   69.8   113
     2236:00     2   69    -715   39911   39514   61.1   70.1   117
     2306:42A  360   70     115   40081   39748   59.5   71.6A  128
     2356:00   351   74    1431   39374   39142   56.3   75.3   146
    

  RE: Repair satellites

  How about using waldos on the repair satellite.  Is waldo technology advanced
enough to be able to fix one of the things?  No real problem with
communications time lag and if the satellite is geostationary, it's that
much easier.

John

>   Well, the Molinya discussion sent me off to the reference books...

    In what wonderful reference book did you find this information?
    I want to get my own copy.

    re: .29--Waldos were originally conceived by Robert Heinlein as
    remote manipulators.  Heinlein didn't specify how they worked, but
    there was the strong implication that they were not limited to simple
    (un-powered) mechanical linkages.  However, the only waldos that
    I have ever used, or seen pictures of, were strictly unpowered
    mechanical linkages between the person and the remote manipultors.
    
    Building a waldo that worked using a two-way radio link is probably
    possible, but I've never heard of anybody doing it.  It sounds like
    a good research project for a University department in search of
    some DARPA funding.  Don't forget the touch feedback -- it's very
    important.
    
    Incidently, an untrained person can learn to use waldos in about
    15 minutes.  The hardest problem is learning to manipulate objects
    with severely limited depth perception, because your "hands" are
    farther from your eyes than you are used to.  This is where touch
    feedback is important: you can bring the "hands" together to provide
    a reference point.
    
    Even assuming that 23,000 mile long waldos could be built and run
    as well as short-distance ones (a reasonable, but undemonstrated,
    assumption) I'm not sure that satellite repair would be practical.
    Imagine a Digital field service person trying to trouble-shoot and
    repair a VAX using waldos.  He can't just replace boards, because
    it's too far to the stockroom, so he has to fall back on 1960's
    repair techniques: troubleshoot the boards to find the failing
    component, then replace the failing IC.  I'd hate to be the person
    operating the waldo, on a 1.5-second delay, knowing that a single
    slip of the soldering iron could wipe out the board.
    
    re: .30--I, too, would like to know the source of such information.
    Is there a USSR version of AWST?  Does it have an English-language
    edition?
        John Sauter

    John,
    
    I think the Soviet equivalent of AWST is called TASS.  The
    English-language edition is called Radio Moscow.  :-)
    
    Burns

    re .30 et al
    
    The reference I use is 'Janes Spacefilght Directory 1986'. The 1987
    edition should be coming out about now and may hit the bookstores
    in a month or so. I bought the first one in a bookstore in the Mall
    of N.H. and the more recent one last year in Reading (U.K.). I have
    seen the 1986 one here since then. Cost is around $60, regardless
    of where you buy it. It is worth it, especially for the Soviet and
    European information. If someone in ZK wants to look at it first,
    I'll bring one in.
    
    In the past I have been able to find old editions of other Janes'
    in the discount book stores. You may be lucky there if you don't
    mind it being ~18 months out of date. The 86 edition was accurate
    up to about March 86 (i.e. it covered the Challenger failure and
    the Mir launch). The first edition (85) has no date on the cover.
    
    Two other useful sources are 'Spaceflight News' and 'Spaceflight'.
    The former is available on some larger news stands (and I think
    the hobby store in Royal Ridge Mall is going to carry it) and the
    other is a benefit of joining the British Interplanetary Society.
    Both accept US$ for subscriptions. I haven't gotten around to that
    yet (inertia and distrust of the combined post offices) but plan
    to. I'll enter addresses next time I dial in from home. Again I
    can bring a sample or two in to ZK if anyone wants to see them.
    I have not seen 'Spaceflight' on sale here - I have bought them
    while in the UK.
    
    gary

    If anyone does find the 1987 edition of Janes Spaceflight Directory
    on sale, please let me know.
    
    Also, in their other yearbooks they have a habit of referring to
    previous editions for detailed articles on projects that haven't
    changed much. They haven't done that yet for the Spaceflight book,
    but they might.
    
    gary

VNS TECHNOLOGY WATCH:                           [Mike Taylor, VNS Correspondent]
=====================                           [Nashua, NH, USA               ]

                      Truckers Ten-Four by Satellite

    Tiny satellite antennas 6 inches in diameter, mounted atop truckers,
    let trucking companies track, locate, and communicate with their
    trucks, without making them stop to get a phone.  The system is
    from Geostar, a Washington satellite communications company that 
    has offered a one way communications between truckers and their
    dispatchers for over a year.  The new system, called Satellite
    System 2C, lets truckers both send and receive data.  So far,
    messages can only be sent in data form; emergency or preset messages
    are sent using a keypad.  But Geostar is working on a system with
    voice recognition that would allow sending messages by speech.
    {Electronics, March 1989}

                               FAX in Flight

    Airborne flight information system equipped business jets now can
    address messages transmitted during flight to any FAX machine in
    the world.  The system, offered by Global Wulfsburg Systems,
    previously had been able to address downlinked messages only to
    dedicated terminals.  The system is also used to uplink weather 
    and flight planning data for in-flight use.
    {AW&ST, February 27, 1989}
            
  <><><><><><><>   VNS Edition : 1780     Tuesday 21-Mar-1989   <><><><><><><>

    Would it not make more sense to put the 6 inch satellite antennas
    on the trucks rather than on the truckers? I must admit it would
    make an interesting scene as they all sit around a truck stop having
    coffee with these satellite dishes on their heads.

Article         1000
From: [email protected]
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.news.aviation,clari.news.military
Subject: Report: Soviet military satellites offered for civil use
Date: 22 Mar 91 20:04:51 GMT 
 
	WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Once-secret Soviet military communications
satellites are being marketed by a group of entrepreneurs looking for
customers in the West who need data relay services, an aerospace
magazine reported Friday. 

	Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine reports in its March
25 edition the consortium, with financial backing from the Soviet
Union, hopes to launch a set of six such 550-pound satellites aboard a
Soviet SL-14 Cyclone booster in 1993. 

	The Consortium of Small Satellite Constructors and Service
Providers of Warwick, N.Y., ultimately hopes to have a constellation
of 24 such satellites in orbit by 1995. 

	The Soviet sale of its military data relay satellite
technology to a U.S.-international consortium ``shows how desperate
the Soviets are to obtain hard currency,'' Vern Riportella, leader of
the consortium, told Aviation Week. 

	The small satellites are launched six at a time aboard Cyclone
boosters into 621-mile-high orbits tilted 82.6 degrees to the equator.

	The satellites are capable of receiving data from small
transmitters on the ground, storing the information on board and then
relaying it to a specific ground station later. 

	``Soviet military forces and foreign intelligence agents use
the spacecraft to relay data to other military units and intelligence
agencies in the USSR,'' Aviation Week said. 

	For commercial applications, Riportella said, the satellites
would be used to relay data between businesses or to handle data from
environmental sensors in remote locations. 

	``By having the Soviets build and launch the system, the
(consortium) would avoid U.S. licensing requirements,'' Aviation Week
reported. ``The Soviets would continue to launch military versions of
the spacecraft. The primary difference between the military and
civilian spacecraft would be the radio frequencies used.'' 

Article        32467
From: [email protected] (Robert Horvitz)
Newsgroups: sci.space,rec.radio.amateur.packet,soc.culture.soviet
Subject: Gonetz = E-mail via Soviet Satellite
Date: 21 Jun 91 19:02:04 GMT
Organization: Internews
 
Last week I posted a query about "Gonetz," a store-and-forward packet
radio data network based on constellations of low Earth orbit
satellites that the USSR plans to implement. 
 
Jane's Defence Weekly had a brief passage about it in their 1 June
1991 issue.  It is apparently based on an existing military/security
system called Sextet, which Jane's described as "the only truly
operational lightsat system in the world." (Gonetz is a Russian word
meaning "messenger.") 
 
Thanks to the magic of Usenet, Ed O'Grady ([email protected]) saw
my query and replied by email.  His company, DYJ Technologies, was
misidentified by Jane's as providing marketing services for Gonetz. 
They are in fact consulting on the project, but not marketing it. 
Anyway, he provided more detail about Gonetz, and put me in touch with
Vern Riportella, whose company is marketing Gonetz services in North
America.  Vern is well-known to ham radio operators for his
involvement in AMSAT-NA and hamsat technology generally. 
 
To summarize a series of phonecalls with both men, the idea to market
this technology outside the Soviet Union came from Soyuzmedinform (the
All-Union Medical Informatics bureau of the USSR health ministry). 
They originally saw it as a way to send critical health information to
and from areas not served by conventional electronic communications,
especially in rural areas and developing countries.  But recognizing
that this application might not generate enough money or traffic to
pay for the system, they began thinking in more general terms.  They
organized a "Consortium of Small Satellite Constructors and Service
Providers (COSSCASP) to adapt the Sextet technology and make it
available worldwide.  In addition to Soyuzmedinform, the current
members of COSSCASP are: 
 
  NPO Precision Instruments:  a Moscow-based organization that
  designs scientific equipment.  They will design Gonetz's space
  and terrestrial segments, and develop functional compatibility
  standards for user terminals produced by others.
 
  NPO Applied Mechanics:  a large production facility based in
  Krasnayarsk, they build most of the Soviet Union's satellites.
  (By the way, NPO is a Russian acryonym for "scientific
  production organization.")
 
  Network Services International:  NSI is Riportella's company
  (see below for address).
 
Many aspects of the system have yet to be defined.  They expect the
orbital configuration ultimately to involve 5 or 6 orbital planes with
6 satellites in each plane.  (Sextets are launched 6 at a time on one
rocket.)  That way, users anywhere in the world would not have to wait
more than 20 minutes for a satellite to came into "view." 
 
Gonetz is expected to serve both fixed and mobile terminals with a
variety of digital modes, primarily email, but also fax and maybe
voicemail.  Apparently the digital links in the USSR's phone system
use continuously variable slope delta modulation, so they are thinking
of using that for voice in the Gonetz system.  Riportella is arguing
for linear predictive coding, as that requires much lower data rates. 
But they are still unsure what applications will be most attractive to
users, and are assuming the basic service will be email. 
 
It is also unclear what radio bands will be used, or whether a new
international allocation is needed.  Gonetz was originally planned for
the 200-400 MHz range, but that presents some coordination problems
with US military systems.  The Sextet framework is apparently flexible
enough that the radio issues don't have to be nailed down just yet. 
O'Grady said they will probably go along with whatever WARC-92 decides. 
 
They hope to launch the first batch of satellites in the fourth
quarter of 1993.  Initially, all messages will be processed through
ground stations to reach end users.  The process will be fully
automated.  A computer will read the destination address and determine
which satellite provides the fastest delivery route.  By 1995, they
hope to have narrowband inter-satellite links working.  That will
eliminate the ground link in many cases, speeding delivery and
supporting two-way real-time interactive channels.  They anticipate
that handheld terminals will communicate at 9600 baud, fixed terminals
at 56KB. 
 
Recognizing that the USSR has problems with quality control for
consumer goods, they will encourage third parties to design and
manufacture equipment for end users.  All of the handheld units will
be built outside the USSR. 
 
No price schedule or rate card has been devised yet.  Because the
satellite technology is already mature, and Soviet launch services are
relatively inexpensive, they expect the entire system to be built for
around a billion ruples.  Pick your favorite conversion ratio to
figure that in dollars, but it should be less than half the cost of
Iridium, and the user fees will hopefully be competitive with Orbcomm's. 
 
For more information about Gonetz, contact:
 
	Vern Riportella
	COSSCASP VP for Marketing
	Network Services International
	P.O. Box 357
	Warwick, NY 10990 USA
	voice: 1-914-986-6904
	fax: 1-914-986-3875
	email: rip@cdp   <also>   sfmt: rip
	mcimail: 324-7389
 
			---Robert Horvitz
			   Internews Radio Consultant
			   Independent Electronic Media Program
			      for East & Central Europe
			   1122-1/2  E Street, SE
			   Washington, DC 20003-2232 USA
			   email:  [email protected]
			           rhorvitz@uunet!capital.com
 
(follow-ups to sci.space, please)
-- 
!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|.!.|
Robert Horvitz    1122-1/2 E St. SE    Washington, DC 20003-2232    USA
                      uucp:  ...uunet!capital!rhorvitz

Dwayne C. Brown
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                       November 1, 1991

RELEASE:  91-181



     NASA and Columbia Communications Corp., Honolulu, have reached
an agreement to delay for up to 6 months the commencement of
operations under Columbia's lease of NASA's Tracking and Data Relay
Satellite System (TDRSS) C-Band capacity.  To compensate NASA for
this extension, Columbia has agreed to pay anywhere from $2.5 million
to $10 million in increased payments in the later years of the lease,
depending on when operations actually commence.

     Charles Force, NASA Associate Administrator for the Office of
Space Communications, said, "We look forward to the success of this
American communications company using NASA's satellites to provide
new competition in commercial international communications.  And we
have ensured that the agreement will provide additional and
significant payments to the U. S. government."

     Clifford Laughton, Columbia's President, said "Following a year
where our focus has necessarily been on the difficult INTELSAT
consultation process, this extension now gives us the time to focus
on serving customers.  We look forward to commencing services using
these fine satellites and to rewarding NASA's commitment to the
growth of competition and the American communications industry."

     NASA has leased to Columbia the C-Band transponders on two
geostationary TDRSS satellites to serve commercial international
telecommunications customers in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean
regions.

     In September, Columbia successfully completed the INTELSAT
consultation, which cleared the way for Columbia to make full use of
the TDRSS C-Band capacity.

     TDRSS is part of NASA's space-based network for tracking and
communicating with the Space Shuttle and other spacecraft in low-
Earth orbit.  TDRSS is managed by the Office of Space Communications,
Washington, D.C.

Article: 2765
From: [email protected] (WILLIAM HARWOOD, UPI Science Writer)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.news.aviation,clari.news.military
Subject: German satellite in orbit
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 92 4:41:55 PDT
 
	CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) -- An American-made Delta 2 rocket boosted
an uninsured German communications satellite into orbit Monday, a major
coup in an ongoing battle between the U.S. and European launch industry.

	The blue-and-white Delta 2, equipped with nine solid-fuel boosters
for extra power, blasted off on time at 5:47 a.m. EDT and quickly
climbed away from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, putting on a
spectacular pre-dawn show as it streaked out over the Atlantic Ocean.

	Mounted inside a protective nosecone atop the 125-foot-tall $50
million Delta 2 rocket was a $150 million television relay satellite
owned by Deutsche Bundespost Telekom of Bonn, Germany, and built by a
consortium of German companies.

	The 3,087-pound solar-powered satellite was released into a
preliminary elliptical orbit about 81 minutes after liftoff. Small, on-
board thrusters were scheduled to fire later to put the craft in a
circular orbit 22,300 miles above the equator.

	At that altitude, the satellite will take 24 hours to complete one
orbit and thus will appear stationary in the sky, allowing users to
employ small, stationary antennas.

	Called DFS Kopernikus 3, the satellite has a design lifetime of 10
years. Once on station, it will serve as an in-orbit spare, backing up
two identical satellites launched in 1989 and 1990 by French-built
Ariane boosters.

	Ariane rockets are marketed by Arianespace, a European consortium
that controls more than 50 percent of the world's commercial launch market.

	The launch of DFS Kopernikus 3 by a Delta 2 rocket, built by
McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Co. of Huntington Beach, Calif., shocked
many aerospace experts, but Deutsche Bundespost Telekom officials had a
simple explanation: money.

	``Why are we bringing this German satellite to Florida? This answer
lies mainly in cost and also in quality consideration,'' said Gerd
Tenzer, a Deutsche Bundespost official.

	``We decided in favor of Delta 2 ultimately because of its launch
performance and its favorable cost, a factor that will be guiding our
procurement policy more and more as competition ... forces us to cut costs.''

	Prior to this week's launch, the Delta 2 record stood at 36
successful flights in a row dating back to 1986. Over the past 15 years,
the rocket chalked up 79 successes in 80 attempts, the best record in
the world for a major rocket system.

	Deutsche Bundespost spent some $650 million to build and launch three
satellites. While Tenzer would not reveal the cost of the Delta, he said
it was about 25 percent cheaper than an Ariane.

	Commercial Deltas typically sell for around $50 million each,
implying Deutsche Bundespost saved between $10 million and $15 million
by using the American rocket company.

	While the sale was a coup for McDonnell Douglas, the launch team was
clearly under pressure to pull off a successful mission. Citing the
Delta's record, Deutsche Bundespost elected not to insure DFS Kopernikus 3.

	Tenzer said the decision was based on two factors: the reliability of
the Delta; and the fact that DFS Kopernikus 3 was a spare. No others are
planned.

	``It makes no sense to insure a satellite that won't be built again,''
he said.

	The Kopernikus network relays cable television programming to German-
speaking regions of Europe, along with direct-broadcast television and
radio service.

	DFS Kopernikus 3, while primarily an orbital spare, will be
positioned farther east than its two counterparts, providing increased
coverage to areas of Eastern European and the former Soviet Union.

	As such, Tenzer said, the relay station will facilitate ``developing
Germany into a gateway to Eastern European countries.''

	The Delta 2, an upgraded version of a rocket in service since the
1960s, was designed to carry Air Force Global Positioning System
navigation satellites into orbit.

	But McDonnell Douglas also markets the Delta 2 on a commercial basis,
a requirement of the Air Force contract that was intended to encourage
development of a private-sector launch industry in the United States.

Article: 3173
From: [email protected] (GUY CHAZAN)
Newsgroups: clari.biz.economy.world,clari.news.hot.east_europe
Subject: Russia seeks customers for new telecommunications satellites
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 93 10:40:50 PST
 
	MOSCOW (UPI) -- Russia plans to launch a new generation of satellites
to rescue its tenuous telecommunications system and sell spare satellite
capacity to foreign firms for much-needed cash, officials said Tuesday.

	``At present, space communications make up a mere 6 percent of our
entire communications network,'' Russian Communications Minister
Vladimir Bulgak told reporters. This figure should be increased by at
least 20 percent, he said.

	Russia has 140 military satellites in orbit and only 36 for civilian
use, of which only 10 are communications satellites, according to the
communications ministry.

	The ``Gorizont'' satellites currently in use, first produced in the
1970s, have a lower capacity, less stability in orbit and a shorter
useful life than their Western equivalents, Bulgak said.

	Officials said Russia plans to replace them between 1994 and 1996
with a new generation of ``Express'' and ``Gals'' satellites, which will
boost the capacity of Russia's space communications system by up to five
times and provide some 70,000 new telephone channels.

	The new satellite program heralds a modernization of Russia's crude
and obsolete communications network, which has long been in need of an
overhaul.

	It will mean some of Russia's far-flung regions like the Far East and
Siberia will at last get adequate telephone service, and can create
their own regional TV and radio stations for the first time.

	But as Russia steers its economy towards the market and state
procurement orders to space and defense factories decrease, satellite
manufacturers have had to seek foreign investment to help finance
telecommunications projects.

	The Parliament-approved satellite program will cost 13 billion rubles
in 1991 prices -- about $130 million -- but only 9.8 percent of this will
come from the federal budget, with enterprises forced to seek funding
from commercial sources.

	One firm which has had some success at seeking foreign partners is
the Applied Mechanics enterprise in the once-closed Siberian city of
Krasnoyarsk, which last month signed an agreement with a Canadian
consortium to create a joint satellite system called SovCanStar. It will
be the first international communications system using Russian satellites.

	According to the agreement, signed Jan. 28 but only announced this
week, Russia will build the satellite platforms while the Canadian
partner will construct the transmitter and antennae.

	However, the deal is complicated by the Cold-War-era COCOM trade
regime controlling the export of high-technology products to socialist
countries, which may prevent the Canadian partner exporting its
equipment to Russia.

	``Because of the COCOM restrictions, the Canadians do not yet want to
bring the transmitter to us,'' said Applied Mechanics director Mikhail
Reshetnyov, ``and we might have to take our platform to Canada to
assemble the satellite.''

	Reshetnyov said he hoped COCOM might have changed by the time the
second satellite is due to be launched, so that it could be assembled in
Krasnoyarsk.

	However, until the COCOM regime is lifted it may stifle Russia's
plans to expand into the lucrative space-services market and offer
commercial launches of imported Western satellites at a price below the
world average.

	Until Russia's new satellites come into operation, it is seeking to
interest Western firms in hiring out spare capacity on existing military
satellites as a way of acquiring extra money for its space program.

	Reshetnyov said private companies in the U.S. and Argentina have
already expressed interest in leasing spare transmission channels on
Russia's ``Luch'' satellite, which is currently working at only 10
percent capacity.

Article: 3272
From: [email protected] (UPI)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space,clari.news.hot.east_europe
Subject: First East European satellite to be launched in 1996
Date: Wed, 11 Aug 93 0:32:12 PDT
 
	BUDAPEST (UPI) -- Antenna Hungaria, a Hungarian telecommunications 
company, is to launch a satellite by 1996 that will offer Eastern Europe's 
first satellite service, company officials announced. 

	Company director Gabor Andics said the 10-transponder
satellite, named ``Domestic,'' will transmit on 16 television channels
covering the whole of Europe and the Middle East. 

	It is expected to cost $160 million, of which $80 million will
be the registered capital of a new company to be set up by Antenna
Hungaria. The rest will come from credits. 

	Partners in Antenna Hungaria's venture include an unnamed
Israeli company and other strategic investors. 

Article: 3584
From: [email protected] (TIM VANDENACK)
Newsgroups: clari.biz.economy.world,clari.tw.space,clari.biz.finance
Subject: Mexico's new telecommuncations satellite to go on line soon
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 93 14:15:55 PST
 
	MEXICO CITY (UPI) -- Solidarity I, Mexico's recently launched
telecommunications satellite, should be properly positioned within the
next week, then start transmitting and receiving signals by Dec. 20, a
top official said Monday.

	Telecommunications de Mexico chief Carlos Lara Sumano said he
expected Solidarity I to be positioned in an orbit 22,812 miles above
Earth within seven days.

	He said technicians will then open the satellite's antennas and test
the craft, with Solidarity I receiving and transmitting its first
signals by Dec. 20.

	Lara Sumano added the probe should become fully operational by mid-
February.

	Mexico launched Solidarity I Nov. 19 from the South American country
of French Guiana.

	Once operational, Solidary I and its companion, Solidarity II -- set
for launching next year -- will replace Mexico's current Morelos I and II
satellites.

	The Solidarity satellites -- a project of Telecommunications de
Mexico, a private firm regulated by Mexico's Communications and
Transportation Ministry -- will receive and transmit communications,
computer, television and other signals.

	The two satellites, designed to last 14 years, cost $452 million.

	The Morelos satellites provide telecommunications services to Mexico
and part of the southern United States.

	However, the two Solidarity craft will cover a wider area that
includes Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and the
southern and eastern United States.

Article: 3588
From: [email protected] (TIM VANDENACK)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.telecom,clari.tw.electronics,clari.tw.space
Subject: Mexican telecom satellite should start transmitting Dec. 20
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 93 18:16:14 PST
 
	MEXICO CITY (UPI) -- The Mexican telecommunications satellite
Solidarity I will be properly positioned within the next week and should
start transmitting signals by Dec. 20, an official said Monday.

	Telecommunications de Mexico head Carlos Lara Sumano said the
recently launched satellite should be positioned in its orbit 22,812
miles (36,500 km) above earth within seven days.

	``We had success in the launching of Solidarity I,'' Lara Sumano
said.

	Once positioned, technicians will open the satellite's antennas and
test the device. It should start receiving and transmitting its first
signals by Dec. 20 and be fully functional by mid-February of next year,
Lara Sumano said.

	Solidarity I was launched Nov. 19 from French Guiana on the north
coast of South America. Together with Solidarity II, which is to be
launched next year, the craft will replace Mexico's Morelos I and II
satellites, which will go out of service by September 1998.

	The Solidarity satellites -- a project of Telecommunications de
Mexico, a private firm regulated by Mexico's Communications and
Transportation Ministry -- will receive and transmit communications,
computer, television and other signals. Their price tag is $452 million
and they should last 14 years.

	The Morelos satellites handle telephone calls in Mexico and part of
the southern United States. The Solidarity satellites' area include
Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean and the southern
and eastern parts of the United States.

	Lara Sumano said the satellites are designed to complement existing
space telecommunications devices operating in the region.

	Mexican officials have called the Solidarity satellites ``a new
generation'' of telecommunications devices because they will transmit
and receive on the ``L,'' ``C'' and ``Ku'' bands. The Morelos satellites
operate only on the ``C'' and ``Ku'' bands.

Article: 3687
From: [email protected] (UPI)
Newsgroups: clari.tw.space
Subject: Philippines ponders first commercial satellite launch
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 94 1:28:38 PST
 
	MANILA (UPI) -- The Philippines may enter the highly
competitive Asian satellite market by launching its first commercial
communications satellite by 1998, the government said Monday. 

	Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Josefina
Lichauco said the government was discussing with several foreign firms
the plans for the venture that would offer services covering the
Philippines and limited points elsewhere in Asia. 

	She estimated the project would cost between $150 million and
$200 million. 

	``We are still evaluating the proposals,'' she said. ``We are
going to be very transparent in every way possible in evaluating the
proposals.'' 

	Department engineer Amy Rubio said the launch would both raise
revenue through leasing the satellite's services within the region and
save Philippine users money by giving domestic carriers use of cheaper
transponders. 

	Telecommunications carriers operating in the Philippines
currently lease transponders from the C-Series satellite of Satelit
Palapa Indonesia at an annual cost of $1.2 million per transponder. 

	Lichauco said the Philippine satellite would offer services to
compete with Palapa, as well as Measat of Malaysia, Hong Kong's Asiasat 
and Panamsat of the United States. 

	Hughes Space and Communications and Matra Marconi Space are
among firms that have offered to build the Philippine satellite.
Shinawatra of Thailand, Rimsat of the United States and China's Great
Wall Co. have expressed interest in launching the satellite. 

	Global Information System of Russia has offered Manila joint
venture involvement in its planned launch of a satellite in Asia. 

Article: 82048
From: [email protected] (Joseph W. Stroup)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: ANIK E2 The Update
Date: 27 Jan 1994 10:43:42 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access	(415) 705-6060  [login: guest]
  
Telesat Canada News
Bulletin
_______________________________________________________________________________
 
Anik E2 Restoration Efforts
 
Ottawa, January 27, 1994 -- Telesat is guardedly optimistic with current
efforts to restore the Anik E2 satellite.  Telesat's team of engineers and
satellite systems specialists, with support from spacecraft suppliers, have
been working to restore the satellite since its failure on January 20.
 
Anik E2 experienced a double failure, that is, both the primary and the
back-up momentum wheel control systems failed on the evening of January
20th.  Earlier in the day, a similar failure occurred on E1, however, in
this case, the back-up system was functional, allowing E1 to be put back
into service.  All indicators regarding E1's performance are normal and
Telesat expects many years of reliable service from this satellite.
 
Restoration activities are centred on investigating the possibility of
regaining pointing control on Anik E2 using the on-board manoeuvering
thrusters.  These thrusters are small rocket engines which consume
hydrazine fuel and are normally used to maintain the satellite's station
keeping position.
 
The teams are currently working with computer models of the satellite's
dynamics to determine if a reasonable degree of pointing accuracy can be
achieved using the thrusters.  Given positive dynamic modeling results,
engineers and computer specialists will then assess whether this
"theoretical" system can in fact be built.  Results of the dynamic analysis
are expected to be known this weekend.  Implementation of such a control
system would require 3 to 6 months.  This system will increase the fuel
consumption of the satellite and will result in a reduction of the
remaining life of the satellite to approximately 6 years from an expected
remaining life of 10 years.
 
Telesat will release further bulletins as events proceed.
 
For further information please contact:
 
Chris Frank
Director, Public Affairs 
Telesat
(613) 748-0123 x2588	
Voice message update:	(613) 748-8885
 
-- 
Joseph Stroup

From:	US1RMC::"[email protected]" "Cary Oler"  5-FEB-1994 19:42:56.07
To:	[email protected]
CC:	
Subj:	Anik E1 and E2 Brief Synoptic Failure Report

ANIK E1 AND E2 BRIEF SYNOPTIC FAILURE REPORT - FINAL REPORT OF THE S.T.D.

     On 20 January 1994, two major Canadian communications satellites
ANIK E1 and ANIK E2 were damaged while in geosynchronous orbit, affecting
nationwide television and news-gathering services.  Statements and rumors
made by officials and the media have resulted in some confusion regarding
exactly what happened.  To this end, we have developed a brief report
concerning the suspected true source of the satellite failures.

     Telesat Canada and/or the media claimed that the satellite failures
were the result of a "massive solar flare".  Some inadequately and
incorrectly stated it was the result of a "tear in the Sun's surface".  These
statements are false and require clarification.

     Solar activity on 20 January was quiet.  There were no major or minor
flares on this date.  A major flare erupted very near the eastern limb of the
Sun on 16 January, although it was very poorly located and incapable of
producing the effects observed on 20 January.  Likewise, there were no other
significant eruptive solar disturbances which can be clearly blamed on the
failure of the ANIK birds.  By "eruptive", we mean events on the Sun which
are related to flares (explosive releases of energy).  This includes the
eruption of solar filaments, which are "strings" of gas suspended by magnetic
fields above the surface of the Sun.  The claim that the ANIK failures were
the result of major flares or other eruptive solar phenomena are therefore
false.

     One of two potentially influential solar coronal holes (or possibly a
combination of both) are currently suspected of INDIRECTLY producing the
conditions responsible for the ANIK satellite failures.  Coronal holes are
areas where the Sun's upper atmosphere is exceptionally low in density and
where high-speed winds (known as the "solar wind") emanate in space.  We are
at that stage in the declining phase of the 11-year solar cycle where stable
and influential coronal holes develop.  These stable coronal holes can
survive, remaining relatively unchanged for many solar rotations (a 27-day
interval) and can therefore have potentially adverse affects on the
near-Earth space environment.

     Not all coronal holes are geoeffective, or capable of producing
noteworthy changes in the near-Earth space environment.  There are many
factors which can change the effect coronal holes have on the Earth.  Most
noteworthy are the changes in the Earth's magnetic field which envelopes our
planet and protects us from much of the harsh environment outside of our
planet's magnetosphere.  The high-speed streams of solar wind which emanate
from coronal holes can perturb our geomagnetic field. Disturbances in our
magnetic field are given several types of "ratings" or categories, depending
on their magnitudes.  The date in question, 20 January, was unsettled to
active.  That is, the geomagnetic field was fluctuating at levels indicative
of an "unsettled to active" state.  Compare this with the more severe ratings
which can occur, where geomagnetic activity increases to "storm" levels.
There are three divisions of storms: "minor", "major", and "severe".  The
activity on 20 January was well below even the "minor storm" category.  The
claim that the ANIK satellites failed due to a "massive", "large", or other
geomagnetic "storm", are therefore also inaccurate and false.

     All satellites in orbit are susceptible to particles having electrical
charges - namely protons and electrons.  It is therefore of interest to
investigate the possible influences of these particles on the charging
environment near these satellites.  The GOES-7 geosynchronous environmental
and meteorological satellite is equipped with sensors capable of measuring
the density of protons and electrons in the vicinity of the satellite.  Since
this satellite is in the vicinity of the ANIK birds, it has been used to
determine the state of the charging environment near the ANIK satellites.

     There were no proton enhancements at geosynchronous altitudes on 20
January, or for any day prior to 20 January.  Protons were at quiet
background levels and have therefore been ruled out.

     The GOES-7 spacecraft did, however, observe enhanced densities of
high-energy electrons (at energy levels greater than 2 MeV, or 2 million
electron volts) in the space environment for several days prior to 20
January.  Electrons became elevated rather abruptly on 12 January.  Gradual
intensification took place over the next several days, beginning on about 15
January.  Electrons at greater than 2 MeV peaked on 20 January at about the
time of the reported ANIK failures at levels about 2 to 3 magnitudes higher
than the quiet-time background levels.  They then fairly abruptly returned to
quieter levels late on 21 January.  The observed failures of the ANIK
satellites are therefore blamed on elevated levels of high-energy electrons
which resulted in deep-dialectric charging, which in simple terms, is the
deep penetration and deposition of electron energy within the satellite.

     Satellites are capable of "bleeding" (or gradually discharging)
electrical charges.  This can be accomplished in many different ways.
Energetic electrons, of hundreds of keV to several MeV, can penetrate to
considerable depth in a dialectric and deposit a charge deep within the bulk
material of the satellite.  Anomalies and damage to internal satellite
circuits can occur if the rate of deposition of energy exceeds the rate at
which the electrical charges bleed away.  This may have been why the ANIK
satellites were able to endure the enhanced electron densities for such a
long period before failing on 20 January.  It is also thought that this type
of charging is relatively slow, requiring several hours or days before
anomalies begin to be observed.  These densities of high-energy electrons
tend to occur more along the outer magnetosphere, where geosynchronous
satellites pass on the day-side of the Earth.  This is why lower
Earth-orbiting satellites did not observe concurrent anomalies.

     Numerous other satellites in geosynchronous orbit were also affected by
this event, and have reported anomalies, although nothing quite as
catastrophic was observed.

     Enhanced densities of high-energy electrons of the magnitude observed
near 20 January are not uncommon, and often occur as many as 4 or 5 times a
year.  Other factors may have also been involved or contributed to the
failure of the ANIK satellites, such as the construction of the satellites,
the shielding used, etc.  There are still many things scientists don't
understand well enough to quantitatively explain, and we still don't know
enough to quantify exactly what densities of charging particles are necessary
to produce anomalies in satellites.  This is one of the many reasons why it
is difficult to predict the influence these events might have on the
satellite community.  Effects will also vary widely from one satellite to
another due to the varying construction and shielding techniques used.

     The source of the high-energy electrons is not yet well understood.  It
is presently believed that disturbances from the Sun (in this case, an
enhanced solar wind stream from a solar coronal hole) which perturb the
Earth's magnetosphere result in the accelleration of electrons that can
attain energies of between about 1 and 3 MeV.  This is what is believed to
have happened during the interval from 12 to 21 January, although it is
possible that this event was completely unrelated to the coronal holes noted
above.  What we have given is a "best estimate" based on what physical
measurements were available and the type of anomalies that were observed and
reported during the time of the ANIK failures.

     The failure of the ANIK satellites is therefore not as exotic as Telesat
Canada and the media would have the public believe.  Some of the media have
claimed that we may see a repeat of this activity over the next several
months due to the 27-day recurrence tendency of coronal holes.  This is
highly speculative reasoning and is most likely incorrect.  Although it
cannot be dismissed, it must be remembered that over a 27-day interval, the
characteristics, structure, and internal morphology of solar coronal
disturbances can change very dramatically.  During one solar rotation, we may
see a very strong and geoeffective disturbance from a coronal hole, while on
the next rotation, it may be completely absent or very much diminished even
though the physical appearance of the coronal hole may not change.  Stating
that we may see this activity recur again between 08 and 17 February
therefore cannot be estimated with very much reliability.  Odds are against a
recurrence of this nature.

     We hope that this report will put some of the false statements and
rumors to sleep and help satisfy those who required a more technical solution
to the observed anomalies onboard the ANIK E1 and E2 satellites.

     Comments or questions regarding this report may be directed to us at the
following address.  Inquiries may also be directed via e-mail to either:
[email protected], or to: [email protected].

               Solar Terrestrial Dispatch
               P.O. Box 357
               Stirling, Alberta
               T0K 2E0
               Canada

From:	US1RMC::"[email protected]" "Cary Oler" 10-FEB-1994 17:32:00.51
To:	[email protected]
CC:	
Subj:	Correction to the Anik Satellite Failure Reports

                  /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

                           ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETIN

                              10 February, 1994

                      Correction to Anik Failure Reports
                                 
                  /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\


CORRECTION TO THE ANIK FAILURE REPORTS

     It is unfortunate and somewhat ironic that a report which is
intended to clarify conditions which contributed to the Anik satellite
failures on 20 January 1994 must itself be clarified.  We apologize
for this. 

     Too much emphasis was placed on the non-recurrence possibilities
of high-energy electron fluxes.  The report stated that the
possibility of observing a recurrence in high-energy fluxes was
"highly speculative."  This is incorrect.  There is overwhelming
evidence that recurrence of electron fluxes is correlated with coronal
holes.  If the coronal hole in question is stable and persists for
more than one solar rotation, you can statistically expect to see a
recurrence in the same electron activity as well. 

     What we should have stated, instead, was that the DURATION and
TIMING of the the recurrent electron activity may not be as
predictable, particularly if the structure of the coronal hole changes
substantially from one rotation to the next.  I was surprised to
actually see this in the final report. Unfortunately, it was not
properly reviewed it before it was released.  I must therefore take
responsibility for this inaccuracy and do hereby formally apologize
for any misconceptions this may have caused. 

     Electrons do recur with coronal holes.  Since February 7th, we
have observed a recurrence in the electrons which affected the Anik
birds in January.  The duration and magnitude of the activity has been
(so far) and is expected to be approximately the same as was observed
last month.  This again raises the possibility that some birds may see
additional deep dialectric charging events.  Satellites in lower
orbits are not free from the effects of this activity.  Although the
high-energy electrons do tend to concentrate along the outer area of
the magnetosphere, some lower orbiting satellites can also be affected
by the higher electron concentrations. 

     The rest of the report is accurate enough.  Solar flares and magnetic
storms can be dismissed as the source.  We simply needed to clarify that
electron recurrence is correlated with coronal holes and is not in fact
"speculative", as well as the possible vulnerability of lower-orbiting
satellites.

     If the previous erroneous report is reproduced in newsletters or
publications, feel free to edit it so that the above corrections are
included.  If necessary, send me a copy and I'll proof read it for
correctness.

          Cary Oler
          Director, STD,
          INTERNET: [email protected], or
                    [email protected]

**  End of Bulletin  **

Article: 3754
From: [email protected] (Reuters)
Newsgroups: clari.world.mideast,clari.tw.space,clari.tw.telecom
Subject: UAE firm aims to have own satellite by 1998
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:28:04 PST
 
	 DUBAI, Feb 18 (Reuter) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
telecommunications firm Etisalat is aiming to have its own satellite
in orbit in 1997 or 1998, an official said on Friday. 

	 ``(Etisalat) is currently planning to send up a satellite for
its exclusive use by the year 1997 or 1998,'' the official UAE news
agency WAM quoted general manager Ali Salem al-Owaiss as saying. 

	 Owaiss said a tender to build the satellite would be offered
if feasibility studies due to end in the last quarter of this year
confirmed that the project was viable. 

	 He did not say where or how the satellite would be launched
if built.  Owaiss told WAM in January the planned satellite would cost
$100 million. 

	 Etisalat approved 1994 spending of 1.7 billion dirhams ($463
million) last December, almost double its 1993 spending.  It has a
monopoly on telecommunications services in the UAE. 

From:	VERGA::ARGUS::EXPAT::VNS "The VOGON News Service  23-Mar-1994 0510" 
        23-MAR-1994 05:25:37.00
To:	VNS-Distribution
CC:	
Subj:	VNS #3045  Wed 23-Mar-1994

<><><><><><><><>  T h e   V O G O N   N e w s   S e r v i c e  <><><><><><><><>

 Edition : 3045            Wednesday 23-Mar-1994            Circulation :  6305 

        VNS MAIN NEWS .....................................   35 Lines
        VNS COMPUTER NEWS .................................  199   "
        VNS TECHNOLOGY WATCH ..............................   43   "
        VNS UK SPORTS REPORT ..............................   46   "

  For information on how to subscribe to VNS, ordering backissues, contacting
  VNS staff members, etc, send a mail to EXPAT::EXPAT with a subject of HELP.

VNS COMPUTER NEWS:                            [Tracy Talcott, VNS Computer Desk]
==================                            [Littleton, MA, USA              ]

 Bill Gates, Craig McCaw - $9 billion attempt to launch 840 satellites by 2001

	{The Boston Globe, 22-Mar-94, p. 37}

   In an application filed with the Federal Communications Commission the two
 billionaires revealed that they had formed Teledesic Corp., which will try to
 raise $9 billion to launch the low-orbiting satellites which would be able to
 bring telephone and such services as videoconferencing and medical imaging to
 any point on the globe, including undeveloped countries and remote areas of
 industrialized nations.  "This is a really daunting challenge politically,
 financially, institutionally, logistically and in the marketplace," said Peter
 Shapiro, a senior consultant in telecommunications at Arthur D. Little Inc. in
 Cambridge.  "Other than that, it's a sure thing."  Analysts struggled to make
 sense of the ambitious and expensive plan, often resorting to a simple truth:
 Bill Gates and McCaw have been very right before.  McCaw, 44, will serve as
 chairman of Teledesic, which will be based in Kirkland, Wash.  Russell Daggat,
 who will serve as the company's president. did not return calls.  Analysts
 noted that in markets where customers could afford to pay for an advanced
 wireless service, Teledesic would face tough competition from phone companies
 and Iridium, a $3.4 billion satellite project led by Motorola.  In areas where
 competition is sparse, it is unclear whether prospective users would be able
 to afford such services.  Gates and McCaw each own 30% of the venture, as does
 McCaw Cellular.  AT&T's acquisition of McCaw has not yet been completed.  Paul
 Karoff, an AT&T spokesman characterized the undertaking as "primarily a
 concept at this point."  But he added, "It is the kind of gleam-in-the-eye
 venture that some entrepreneurs like Craig McCaw can bring off successfully.
 If that happens, we will be delighted to have the merged AT&T and McCaw
 company benefit financially from it."  Analysts agreed that such a day -
 should it ever arrive - remains far off.  "Just to get through all the
 technical hurdles of this would be a major task," said Cai von Rumohr, an
 analyst at Cowen & Co. in Boston.  "The economics of this kind of thing only
 work if you have the whole world, but getting the whole world is not easy.  A
 lot of people have to agree to let your satellite get over their land, and you
 have to get the spectrum.  And 840 satellites is an awful lot of launches."
 About 10% of those satellites would need to be replaced every year, estimated
 Barry Goodstadt, director of wireless industry consulting at EDS Management
 Consulting Services in Washington.  Robert Weber, a principle of Northeast
 Consulting Resources Inc. in Boston, warned that the massive project could
 ultimately amount to "welfare for satellite manufacturers."  He portrayed
 Gates and McCaw as "playing poker with Motorola.  They are saying, 'We see
 your strategy, and we'll raise you a couple hundred satellites."  Motorola's
 Iridium project will use 66 larger satellites to bring mobile phone service to
 traveling executives all over the world by 1998.  But calls will cost an
 estimated $3 a minute, according to Roberta Wiggins, director of wireless
 mobile communications at the Yankee Group in Boston.  Teledesic will provide a
 wider range of services, but its users could not be in motion.  Calls will
 cost roughly the same as current land-based lines, analysts said.

VNS TECHNOLOGY WATCH:                           [Mike Taylor, VNS Correspondent]
=====================                           [Littleton, MA, USA            ]

    Recently, the following article appeared in the magazine WIRED. 
It is an interesting article on knowledge and property rights, among
other things. I contacted the author, who gave me his permission to
distribute the article over my Internet Patent News Service.  I don't
happen to agree with all of the economics assumptions in the article
(in fact, it is missing a few), but I like how the argument is made. 

    In general, WIRED is an interested magazine for the online and multimedia
worlds.  Check it out.

Greg Aharonian
==============================================================================

    If nature has made any one thing less susceptible than all others of
    exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called an idea,
    which an individual may exclusively possess as long as he keeps it to
    himself; but the moment it is divulged, it forces itself into the
    possession of everyone, and the receiver cannot dispossess himself of it.
    Its peculiar character, too, is that no one possesses the less, because
    every other possesses the whole of it. He who receives an idea from me,
    receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his
    taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. That ideas should
    freely spread from one to another over the globe, for the moral and mutual
    instruction of man, and improvement of his condition, seems to have been
    peculiarly and benevolently designed by nature, when she made them, like
    fire, expansible over all space, without lessening their density at any
    point, and like the air in which we breathe, move, and have our physical
    being, incapable of confinement or exclusive appropriation. Inventions then
    cannot, in nature, be a subject of property.

    --Thomas Jefferson

    Source: Selling Wine Without Bottles
            The Economy of Mind on the Global Net
            by John Perry Barlow

    [This was the opening paragraph of a 1200 line article that
    appeared in WIRED --mjt}

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
  For information on how to subscribe to VNS, ordering backissues, contacting
  VNS staff members, etc, send a mail to EXPAT::EXPAT with a subject of HELP.

    Permission to copy material from this VNS is granted (per DIGITAL PP&P)
    provided that the message header for the issue and credit lines for the
    VNS correspondent and original source are retained in the copy.

<><><><><><><><>   VNS Edition : 3045   Wednesday 23-Mar-1994   <><><><><><><><>

Article: 4237
From: [email protected] (Reuter/Benet Koleka)
Newsgroups: clari.world.europe.eastern,clari.tw.telecom,clari.news.tv
Subject: Satellite Dishes Bring Viewing Revolution in Albania
Date: Wed, 30 Mar 94 5:30:04 PST
 
	 TIRANA, Albania (Reuter) - Television satellite dishes are
sprouting like mushrooms on the skyline of Albania's capital,
once cloaked by a Stalinist blackout on foreign broadcasts.

	 Sales of dishes are estimated to have risen to a staggering
25,000 in Europe's poorest country from zero less than two years
ago.  One man was seen leaving a shop with a satellite dish
strapped to the back of his donkey.

	 For many, a satellite dish has become one of life's
necessities.  Businessman Ylber Xhameta, 28, said the dish was
the second luxury item he bought after a car.

	 For others living in a country where cars are still a rare
sight, the dish comes first.

	 ``We can see films, concerts, sports events all day and
night with the satellite whereas Albania's (only) channel lacks
many of these things,'' Xhameta said.

	 Xhameta and his family mostly watch Turkish TV channels.
``It's closer to our tastes,'' said Xhameta, whose wife and two
sisters are glued to the set while sewing shoes at home to make
a living.

	 As an indication of confidence in a growing market, Tirana's
20 satellite wholesale importers say they have 10,000 more dishes in stock.

	 It's a far cry from the days of communist dictator Enver
Hoxha, who ruled Albania for 40 years until his death in 1985.
French-educated, he liked watching foreign television himself
but was determined to stop the masses being corrupted by outside
ideas and culture.

	 Artan Hasani, a 26-year-old small trader, described the
communist era as ``the great thirst'' when isolated Albania
craved to know what was going on in the outside world.

	 ``All we could watch before was stuff about Tirana,'' said
Hasani, who shares a three-room apartment with his wife, his
brother's family and their parents.

	 ``You can see how awful it is here with three families
together but at least we can enjoy the television,'' he added.

	 The Hasanis said they liked music and films, especially
blockbusters starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jean-Claude Van Damme.

	 The spread of satellite dishes is no pointer to a healthier
economic climate -- just a sign of Albania's dire lack of any
other leisure facilities.

	 Satellite equipment costs between $180 and $210 -- more than
three times the average monthly wage.

	 Albania's burgeoning community of traders constitutes the
bulk of satellite buyers, together with farmers and families
lucky enough to have relatives abroad sending them money.

	 Such is the impact of satellite viewing in Albania that the
twice-weekly information paper Dita Informacion has started
publishing program schedules of European channels.

	 Even customs have been caught by surprise by the boom. They
have yet to classify satellite dishes separately and still lump
them in with such imports as plugs, sockets and electrical wire.

	 Satellite dishes have also proved to be a boon for sales of
color television sets. Albania's Institute of Statistics said the country 
had imported about 150,000 sets in the last three years.

	 The move to free market policies with the fall of communism
in 1991 ended a long-standing rule forcing people to wait for a
licence before they could buy a television set.

	 Fearing foreign television as a threat to his totalitarian
regime, Hoxha tried to ban aerials and Italian and Yugoslav
broadcasts were jammed.

	 In the early 1980s, Hoxha made one concession and allowed
Tirana alone to receive one Italian news broadcast each evening
and an occasional international soccer match, beamed from a TV
transmitter on Mount Dajti overlooking the capital.

	 Hoxha had a cable installed from Mount Dajti directly into
his Tirana villa so he could watch all Italian programs and a
signal booster was rigged up so he could carry on viewing while
resting in other cities.

	 When the booster was switched on the areas he was visiting
could tune in to Italian television. When the screen went blank,
viewers knew Hoxha had left.

	 Hungry for more, Albanians resorted to all kinds of
techniques to watch stations transmitting in ultra-high
frequency (UHF). So it was that Albanians stumbled on the
biggest eye-opener they can remember -- hardcore pornography
broadcast by private Italian TV stations in the early 1980s.

	 Fatjon Goga, a money exchange dealer, said he bought a
satellite dish out of curiosity and only his ageing father now
bothers to watch Albania's eight o'clock news.

	 ``We don't want to hear any more about politics...we just
want music and good television,'' Goga said.

Article: 59991
From: [email protected] (Eric Dahlstrom)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: Westford needles info please
Date: Wed,  1 Jun 1994 10:40:10 -0500
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA  USA
 
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected]
(Ryan Rudnicki) writes:
 
> I have a few questions about an artificial satellite known 
> as the Westford Needles and apparently launched in 1963. 
> 
> 1a) Who launched the needles and why? 
> 
> 1b) What are the dimensions of the needles and how many are there? 
> 
> 2a) Are the needles actually visible?  I found them on TS Kelso's list 
> of visible satellites but I'm skeptical about their being visible to 
> the naked eye.  They orbit the earth about 2600 miles up. 
> 
> 2b) If they are visible, when is the best time to see them? At least 2 
> hours before sunrise or after sunset? 
> 
> 3) How dispersed are the needles, i.e. do they cover 1/2 degree of arc?... 
> more..., less...? 
> 
> Ryan Rudnicki 
> [email protected] 
 
Interesting.  The following source says the needles did not deploy.
(I thought they had, and then re-entered.)
 
The following quote is from NASA RP-1320, "Orbital Debris and
Near-Earth Environmental Management: A Chronology", David S.F. Portree
and Joseph P. Loftus, Jr., Dec 1993, p.4 
 
---quote---
October 21, 1961
 
The U.S. Air Force launches the Midas 4 satellite on what is primarily
a military surveillance mission.  The satellite also deploys a
spinning 35-kg canister into orbit at 3220 km in support of Project
West Ford.  The canister holds 350 million hair-like copper dipole
antennas, the West Ford Needles.  They are meant to scatter along
Midas 4's orbit, forming an 8 km wide, 40 km deep belt around the
Earth.  The dipole belt will serve as a passive radio reflector for
military communications.  Information about the experiment released
before launch raised protests from optical and radio astronomers.  The
Space Science Board of the National Academy of Sciences countered by
describing how, in June 1960, it concluded that releasing the dipoles
would "not harm any branch of science." A statement of U.S. government
policy on Project West Ford by Dr. Jerome B. Wiesner, Special
Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, reinforced the
Board view. The Board invites optical and radio astronomers to help
study the effects of the dipole release.  It maintains that the belt
will be nearly undetectable, even to astronomers seeking it, and
short-lived. These assertions are not tested, however, because the
dipoles do not leave their canister. 
 
sources: "Project West Ford," Spaceflight, Jan 1962, p 24; Patrick
Moore, "Communications on the Moon," Spaceflight, July 1963, p. 122;
Interavia Space Directory 1992-1993, Andrew Wilson, editor, p. 205. 
---end quote---
 
* [email protected] * +1 804-766-9635 *  ISU'91 USA  *
* Lockheed Eng & Sci Co, 144 Research Drive, Hampton, VA 23666 *
* home: 6314 Auburn Lane, Hampton, VA 23666 * +1 804-838-4797  *
 
Article: 59998
From: [email protected] (Eric Dahlstrom)
Newsgroups: sci.astro
Subject: Re: westford needles (correction)
Date: Wed,  1 Jun 1994 11:13:24 -0500
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA  USA
 
> In article <[email protected]>, 
> [email protected] (Ryan Rudnicki) writes: 
> > I have a few questions about an artificial satellite known 
> > as the Westford Needles and apparently launched in 1963. 
 
Oops!   (minor index malfunction)  I missed the second entry for
Project West Ford. 
 
The following quote is from NASA RP-1320, 

"Orbital Debris and Near-Earth Environmental Management:  A
Chronology", David S.F. Portree and Joseph P. Loftus, Jr.,  Dec 1993, p.6 
 
---quote--- 
May 9, 1963
 
The U.S. Air Force launches Midas 6.  In spite of protests from
astronomers, part of its mission is to support a repeat of the Project
West Ford experiment.  This time the plan is release about 400 million
dipoles into orbit.  The experiment is only a partial success, because
the dipoles do not scatter properly. It produces more than 150
trackable debris pieces, presumably clumps of dipoles.  Of the
trackable clumps, about 100 remained aloft on December 31, 1992. 
Project West Ford is not repeated, in part because of the success of
the active communications relay satellite Telstar 1, launched on July
10, 1962. 
 
Sources: 
Patrick Moore, "Communications on the Moon," Spaceflight, July 1963,
p. 122; Interavia Space Directory 1992-1993, Andrew Wilson, editor, p. 205. 
 ---end quote--- 
 
* [email protected] * +1 804-766-9635 *  ISU'91 USA  *
* Lockheed Eng & Sci Co, 144 Research Drive, Hampton, VA 23666 *
* home: 6314 Auburn Lane, Hampton, VA 23666 * +1 804-838-4797  *