February 24, 1997 Vol. 0 - No. 6 By subscription only ============================== THE ORBITAL REPORT ON-LINE ============================== Space Executive's Weekly News Digest This is an experimental issue of Takyon International's latest on-line newsletter. OReOL is intended to cover space industry's news and market trend and provide the necessary background information for immediate analysis. Please feel free to contact us for any comment. ***************************************************************** * This space could be yours. Contact us at orbirep@worldnet.net * ***************************************************************** === HEADLINES === * US$2-billion HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE (HST) was released by Space Shuttle Discovery at 6:41 UT on February 19 after successful refurbishing by four US astronauts during a record-breaking series of five spacewalks totalizing 33 hours and 11 minutes. The fifth extravehicular activity was added to the mission during flight to repair the observatory's thermal insulation. Next HST servicing mission is planned for 1999. Discovery landed at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) at 8:32 UT on February 21. * The first Lockheed-Martin's improved Titan 4 vehicle, the TITAN 4B, with Alliant Techsystems-built Solid Rocket Motor Upgrade (SRMU) strap-on boosters, was successfully launched at 20:20 UT on February 23 from Cape Canaveral Air Station. The vehicle, the first of 19 due to fly through 2006, lofted a US$200-million TRW- built Defense Support Program (DSP) early warning satellite to geostationary orbit using a Boeing Inertial Upper Stage (IUS). Next Titan 4B flight is scheduled on October 6 to launch the Cassini probe to Saturn. === BUSINESS === * THURAYA CO. FOR SPACE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, a joint-venture between United Arab Emirates' Etisalat, Abu Dhabi Investment Co. and Arabsat, will select prime contractor for its US$700-million THURAYA ('Shine') geostationary satellite system for mobile com- munication this summer. Bidders are Hughes, Lockheed-Martin, Alcatel and Aerospatiale. Launch is expected before 2000. * The Government of Malaysia has approved the manufacturing of the US$12-million MY SAT-1 by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), of Guildford, Surrey. The 50-kg microsatellite will be lofted piggyback on a Zenit vehicle in September. * MICRODYNE CORP., of Alexandria, Virginia, reports its Aerospace Telemetry Division received orders worth about US$2.5 million from Orion Satellite, of Rockville, Maryland, Echostar Corp., of Englewood, Colorado, the Brazilian Aeronautical Commission, Spain's National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA), Hughes Space & Communications and Vandenberg AFB. === MARKETS === * According to the Wall Street Journal, TELEDESIC, of Kirkland, Washington state, has revamped its plans for a low Earth orbit broadband communication satellite system, reducing the number of satellites from 924 to 288 SATELLITES. * WORLDSPACE INC., of Washington, DC, has completed the final design review for its Worldstar series of direct audio broad- casting satellites. Manufacturing of the first spacecraft, AFRISTAR 1, has started for a launch scheduled in May 1998. * A subcommittee panel of the Indian Government's cabinet has cleared the draft bill of the BROADCASTING LAW which will now be discussed by the Indian parliament. The highly criticized bill includes regulation on direct broadcasting services via satellite expected to allow the development of several regional systems. === TECHNOLOGIES === * A MINOR FIRE occurred on February 23 in a an oxygen generating device in the 10-year-old KVANT 1 module attached to the 11-year old space station MIR. The fire, the first uncontrolled ever to break out in a manned spacecraft, was extinguished in 90 sec. with foam. The six cosmonauts onboard (four Russian, one US and one German) donned breathing masks. No injury was reported. === PREVIEW === * Feb. 28 An ARIANE 44P (V94) is due to loft the Lockheed Martin-built INTELSAT 801 to geosynchronous transfer orbit. (00:16-01:10 UT) * Feb. 28 Deadline for CANADA'S DBS SERVICE licensing appli- cation. * Feb. 28 Deadline for a decision regarding the replacement of INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION's Russian service module by a US-built Interim Control Module. * Mar. 4 First launch of an unidentified Russian military satellite from the NEW COSMODROME IN SVOBODNIY, Amur oblast, near the Chinese border. * Mar. 4 ESA'S MINISTERIAL COUNCIL to discuss industrial return policy. * Mar. 5 A Lockheed-Martin ATLAS 2A vehicle (AC-128) is due to loft the Loral-built TEMPO 2 direct broadcasting satellite for TCI Satellite (06:02-07:01 UT) Next issue is tentatively planned for March 3. The Orbital Report On-Line will be published 40 times per year by Takyon International (RCS Paris B 401 465 398) 34, boulevard Exelmans, 75016 Paris, France Phone: +33 (0) 146 566 490 * Fax: +33 (0) 146 561 355 Editorial hotline: +33 (0) 607 995 056 E-mail: orbirep@worldnet.net Chief Editor: Stefan Barensky Technical Contributor: Samuel Szdat © Takyon International - February 1997 Subscription and advertisement information will be available soon. Takyon International also publishes The Orbital Launcher Report, a monthly space transportation newsletter. ------------------ End of issue Vol.0, No.6 ---------------------
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