April 2008
A monthly round-up of space industry developments for the information of our clients and friends.
EADS Astrium to Acquire SSTL DISH Selects SS/L for EchoStar XV EADS Astrium announced on April 7 that it On April 22, Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), had entered into an agreement with the announced a contract to build the EchoStar University of Surrey to acquire its 80% XV direct broadcast satellite for DISH stake in Surrey Satellite Technology Network Corporation. Scheduled for launch Limited (SSTL) for an estimated £40-50 in 2010, the spacecraft will be based on million. Based in the United Kingdom, SSTL SS/L’s proven 1300 platform and is designed specializes in the design and manufacture of to support the expansion of DISH Network’s small and micro satellites, including the programming and services. Giove-A test satellite for Europe's Other April Launch Services forthcoming Galileo satellite navigation On April 14, Lockheed Martin Commercial system. The transaction, which remains Launch Services successfully launched the subject to regulatory approvals, will provide ICO G1 satellite for ICO Global the financial and industrial resources Communications (Holdings) Ltd’ from Cape required for SSTL’s expansion and future Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on an development. It is expected that SSTL will Atlas V 421 vehicle. Built by SS/L based on remain an independent UK company. its 1300 platform, ICO G1 weighed BSAT-3b Contract Awards approximately 6,634 kg at launch, is equipped On April 15, Lockheed Martin Commercial with a 12-meter S-band reflector capable of Space Systems announced its selection by ground-based beam forming that, along with a Japanese satellite operator Broadcasting complementary network of terrestrial Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) to repeaters, will provide between 10-15 build its next broadcast satellite, designated channels of live television, enhanced BSAT-3b. The spacecraft will be based on navigation and emergency roadside Lockheed’s A2100A series bus and will be assistance services across the United States, equipped with 12 130-watt Ku-band channels Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands from to provide direct-to-home services throughout the 92.85°WL orbital location. On April 27, the Japan from the 110°EL orbital location. Giove-B navigation satellite was orbited by Pursuant to a contract announced on April Starsem from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Space Business Review 11, BSAT-3b will be launched by an Kazakhstan on a Russian Soyuz vehicle. Built Arianespace 5 ECA vehicle during the for the European Space Agency by a team second half of 2010 from the European consisting of Astrium GmbH and Thales Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. Alenia Space, the spacecraft weighed Star One C2 and VINASAT-1 Launched approximately 500 kg at launch and is On April 18, Arianespace successfully orbited designed to validate critical technologies and Star One C2 for Brazilian operator Star One secure priority for radio-frequency spectrum and VINASAT-1 for Vietnam Posts and rights allocated for the Galileo European Telecommunications Corporation. The navigation system pursuant to the rules and launch service was performed from the regulations of the International European Space Center in Kourou, French Telecommunication Union. On April 28, Guiana on an Ariane 5 ECA vehicle. Star Land Launch successfully deployed the One-C2 was built by Thales Alenia Space Amos-3 communications satellite for Israel- based on its 3000B3 series bus, is equipped based operator Space-Communication Ltd. with 28 C-, 16 Ku- and 1 X-band transponders from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in and weighed approximately 4,100 kg at Kazakhstan on a Zenit-3SLB vehicle. Built by launch. The spacecraft will be positioned at the Israel Aerospace Industries, the spacecraft 70°WL orbital location to provide a variety of is equipped with 24 Ku- and 3 Ka-band broadcasting services across Brazil. transponders, weighed approximately 1,270 kg VINASAT-1 was built by Lockheed Martin at launch and has a design life of Commercial Space Systems based on its approximately 18 years. Amos-3 will be co- A2100A platform and is equipped with 12 Ku- located with the Amos-1 and Amos-2 band and 8 C-band transponders. The satellites at the 4°WL orbital location to provide a variety of broadcasting and BEIJING spacecraft will be positioned at the 132°EL FRANKFURT orbital location to provide communications communications services to Europe, the HONG KONG services to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Middle East and the east coast of the United LONDON Thailand, India, Japan and Australia. States. LOS ANGELES MUNICH To learn about Milbank’s Space Business Practice, or view previous issues of the Space Business Review, please visit www.milbank.com. NEW YORK The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. Recipients of this publication should not take or refrain from taking any action based upon content included herein. If you do not wish SINGAPORE to receive this newsletter, please send an e-mail to [email protected] with the word “unsubscribe” in the subject line. ATTORNEY TOKYO ADVERTISING. Prior results do not guarantee similar results. WASHINGTON DC © 2008 - Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP.