Welcome to SATELLITE 2010: New Faces, New Content, New Opportunities

Scott Chase

Summer’s here and the time is right for . . . planning your journey to SATELLITE 2010: New Faces, New Content, New Opportunities.

It’s been a roller-coaster several months since the conclusion of SATELLITE 2009, but the global satellite-enabled marketplace has weathered the storm. Back in late March chief executives, business development experts, and rank-and-file, customer-facing managers and professionals predicted that satellite has the depth and the staying power to counter uncertain economic fluctuations. Some leaders said that if “we could make it” to 2010 intact, the future would look bright and filled with opportunity.

Leading indicators suggest that the economy is on the rebound, slowly, modestly, but surely. To paraphrase Winston Churchill, in a November 1942 speech, “It is not the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” What he meant was that the tide of World War II had shifted inexorably in favor of the Allies, and the defeat of the Axis was now a matter of time.

So it is with economic downturns. A quick scan of the August 6 issue of Satellite News reveals a high degree of confidence in the satellite-enabled marketplace and its global dimensions. AsiaSat 5 is set to launch August 12 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Assuming a successful mission, that’s a minimum 15-year commitment to the future. Ball Aerospace is testing the WorldView-2 remote sensing satellite, confirmation that multiple markets within the satellite world continue to thrive.

News Corp. is increasing its investment and ownership in Sky Deutschland, SpaceX is hiring a new senior executive as it ramps up its activities, close on the heels of its superb mid-July launch of Malaysia’s RazakSAT imagery spacecraft, and in Australia a government minister is extolling the role of satellites in rural and remote communications services and emergency response.

All good things . . .

To end on the same note as we began: It doesn’t matter what you wear, just as long as you are there! Come join us at SATELLITE 2010 and catch a glimpse of what the future holds. You won’t regret it!

REGISTRATION FOR SATELLITE 2010 IS OPEN! REGISTER TODAY!

Have an idea for a session at SATELLITE 2010? Know someone who would make a great speaker?

Let us know!

Exhibitors and members of the satellite-enabled communications marketplace are welcome to nominate end users, colleagues, or self for speaking opportunities at SATELLITE 2010. All submissions must be received by August 28, 2009. Click here to complete the Call for Presentations form online.

The SATELLITE conference consists mainly of panel sessions led by technology end-users, top-level executives in the satellite marketplace and experts. The SATELLITE conference is intended to feature content that will best serve the military/government, enterprise, broadcast, telecommunications and commercial markets within the satellite community. Presentations should primarily focus on technologies and solutions, and case studies are also welcome. Sales pitches or commercial presentations should be avoided.

Registration for SATELLITE 2010 is now open. Register today to save hundreds on the Conference with the Early Bird discount!

End-users and leaders in the global satellite-enabled communications market will travel to SATELLITE 2010 from more than 70 countries in March to learn, network, share their expertise, and meet with suppliers who can offer solutions to their business challenges. Attendees and buyers look to the products and services they find on the show floor to help them increase profitability and stay on the cutting-edge in their respective fields. Having an exhibit presence at SATELLITE 2010 is a must for suppliers interested in networking with and selling to these power-buyers!

Please click here to view the current exhibit hall floor plan - call or contact Michael Cassinelli at +1-301-354-1691 today to strategically position your company at the largest, most dynamic event in the global satellite-enabled communications market!

To reserve your exhibit space or discuss a customized sponsorship package tailored to your unique needs, contact Michael Cassinelli, Exhibit Sales Manager today at +1-301-354-1691 or mcassinelli@accessintel.com.

SATELLITE 2010 is the premier event for networking in the satellite-enabled communications marketplace. You’ll connect with the entire ecosystem of the satellite community in unparalleled networking opportunities.

The WTA 2009 Teleport Awards Luncheon
11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 16

Since 1995, WTA has presented annual awards to companies and individuals who have dramatically demonstrated excellence in the field of teleport operations, development and technology. Celebrate the winners and network with colleagues during the Awards Luncheon. You may purchase tickets when registering for SATELLITE 2010.

WorldView-2 Completes Environmental Testing
Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. completed environmental testing for the WorldView-2 remote sensing satellite built for DigitalGlobe and has begun post-environmental performance testing, Ball Aerospace announced Aug. 5.
The BCP 5000 spacecraft underwent environmental testing that included thermal vacuum, electromagnetic compatibility, electromagnetic interference, vibration, shock and acoustic testing to confirm the design integrity of the spacecraft.
"We are eager to get the second WorldView satellite on orbit to demonstrate the combined capabilities of the two spacecraft, particularly the control moment gyroscope agility, not available on any other commercial imaging system," said Cary Ludtke, vice president and general manager for Ball Aerospace's civil and operational space unit, in a statement.
WorldView-2, scheduled to launch Oct. 6, is the third satellite Ball Aerospace has built for DigitalGlobe's constellation of commercial remote sensing satellites.

ProtoStar to Sell Satellites, Operate Through Bankruptcy
ProtoStar has reached an agreement with its principal lender groups after filing July 29 for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States and Bermuda, the company announced Aug. 3.
The company said it has secured financing from its incumbent lender groups that will allow it to finance the costs of its operations throughout the proceedings. ProtoStar and its principal lenders will structure a sale process of its satellites, which will be run by UBS Securities, ProtoStar's financial advisor and capital markets advisor.
ProtoStar has two satellites, ProtoStar 1 and 2. ProtoStar 2, built by Boeing, was handed over to ProtoStar in June after completing in-orbit tests and confirming the satellite's readiness to enter service providing direct-to-home broadcasting and telecommunications services to the Asia-Pacific region. The operator has listed assets and liabilities between $100 million to $500 million and lists Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. as its largest unsecured creditor.
"This has been a challenging time," said ProtoStar President and CEO Philip Father, in a statement. "I am optimistic that this process will be run in an organized and professional manner, and we are working toward the best possible outcome for all counterparties."

Spacenet Releases Prysm Pro IP-Networking Solution
Gilat Satellite Networks subsidiary Spacenet introduced its Prysm Pro application, the company's second-generation integrated and off-the-shelf IP networking solution, Spacenet announced Aug. 3.
Spacenet said Prysm Pro's release was driven by enterprise customer demand for a range of networking and content-delivery functions with support for enhanced security and backup connectivity for business continuity.
Prysm Pro, which is integrated with Spacenet's managed network services and designed for deployment in Wide Area Network (WAN) and Local Area Network (LAN) environments, can be customized to support multiple secure wireless networks and provides integrated support for data acceleration, retail applications/POS hardware interfaces, PCI compliance, and digital media delivery. Its WAN interfaces to a VSAT, DSL, cable, or 3G-wireless modem. Its LAN attaches via Ethernet and USB to IP-based devices and via serial ports to legacy serial devices.

BSkyB to Launch 3-D Channel in 2010
BSkyB is planning to launch a 3-D TV channel in 2010, the company announced July 31.
The service will be broadcast across Sky's existing HD infrastructure and be available via the current generation of SkyPlus HD set-top boxes. To watch 3-D, customers will need a 3-D-ready TV, which are expected to be on sale in the United Kingdom next year. BSkyB already has more than 1.3 million HD subscribers in the United Kingdom. and Ireland.
"3D is a genuinely 'seeing is believing' experience, making TV come to life as never before. Just like the launch of digital, SkyPlus and HD, this is latest step in our commitment to innovating for customers," Brian Sullivan, managing director of BSkyB's customer group, said in a statement.
The Prysm Pro can also be purchased with an integrated SkyEdge or SkyEdge II satellite router module from Gilat.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Clears Human Safety, Ground Wind Testing
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) completed human safety qualification testing for the Falcon 9 launch vehicle's first stage tank and interstage at SpaceX's test site in Waco, Texas, the company announced July 29.
The Falcon 9 first stage tank and interstage hardware were subjected to a proof test of 1.1 times the maximum expected operating pressure and a burst pressure proof test of 1.4 times the maximum. The test qualifies both pieces of hardware to meet human rating safety requirements, as defined by NASA, the company said. Falcon 9's first stage and interstage also passed launch site ground wind qualification tests.
"All hardware was designed to be man-rated, and these tests confirm that SpaceX is one step closer to flying humans on the Falcon 9/Dragon system," Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX, said in a statement.

Abu Dhabi Firm Invests $280 Million in Space Tourism, Satellite Launch Facility
Commercial space venture Virgin Galactic raised $280 million in a 32 percent company stake purchase by Aabar Investments in Abu Dhabi, Virgin Galactic announced July 28.
Virgin Galactic has been valued at $900 million as a result of the purchase.
Aabar has also invested $100 million to build a spaceport in Abu Dhabi in order to launch satellites and to guarantee exclusive regional rights to host tourist and scientific space flights for the Arab Emirates country.
Aabar's largest shareholder behind the deal is International Petroleum Investment Co., owned by the Abu Dhabi government.
 

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