France in Space #220
1: NEW EUTELSAT SATELLITE NOW IN ORBIT
On November 20th, 2002, the Eutelsat W5 satellite was successfully launched aboard a Boeing Delta IV rocket from cape Canaveral, Florida. Positioned at 70.5 degrees east, the satellite built by prime contractor Alcatel Space for European operator Eutelsat, will offer a complete range of services. They will include video distribution and contribution links, occasional video use, especially for satellite newsgathering (SNG), and Internet backbone connections. Built on the Spacebus 3000 platform, it is equipped with 24 Ku-band transponders, configured with one fixed wideband covering Western Europe, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, and two steerable spotbeams. The spotbeams can be steered according to commercial requirements to cover all accessible zones, especially Southeast Asia. Weighing over 3000 kilograms at liftoff, W5 develops 6kW of poxer and has a design life exceeding 12 years. [Alcatel Press Release, 11/15/2002]
2: ARIANESPACE TO LAUNCH INDONESIAN SATELLITE TELKOM-2
On November 8th, 2002, Arianespace signed a satellite launch contract for the TELKOM-2 satellite with PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, an Indonesian telecommunication company. The contract was signed in Jakarta by Mr. Kristiono, President Director and CEO of PT Telkm Tbk, and Mr. Le Gall, Arianespace CEO. TELKOM-2 will be launched by an Ariane 5 in the second half of 2004 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. TELKOM-2, to be manufactured by US-based Orbital Sciences Corporation based on its Star-2 platform, and enable to reach 2,300 kilograms weight, will carry 24 C-band transponders and will have a 15-year in-orbit life. The satellite, which will be placed at 118 degrees East longitude, will enable TELKOM to replace its existing Palapa-B4 satellite. Its addition will bolster TELKOM’s coverage in Southern Asia and the Indian subcontinent, in addition to its current Indonesian capacity. The region will use it for voice, video and data communication for the region. [Arianespace Press Release du 11/08/2002]
3: TOKYO SPOT IMAGE
Tokyo Spot Image, a joint venture between Spot Image France (51%) and ImageONE Co. Ltd (49%), a long-established player in the Japanese Earth observation market, is set to become Spot Image’s fifth subsidiary. Tokyo Spot Image will distribute the full range of SPOT products and services for mapping applications (from urban planning to land management), agriculture, telecoms and environmental management. The Japanese market holds much potential, particularly in the traditional fisheries sector where Spot Image is expanding its business, and in mineral and oil exploration. Today, Spot Image group includes five subsidiaries, six channel partners, 23 direct receiving stations and a broad panel of non-exclusive distributors.
[Spot Image Press Release, 11/12/2002]
4: EUROPE AND SPACE DEBRIS COLLOQUIUM
The Europe and Space Debris International Colloquium will take place November 27 and 28, 2002 in Toulouse, France. The colloquium will endeavour to sound the opinions of all major players and to present the relevant French and European authorities with proposals and recommendations aimed at reinforcing international cooperation, particularly in the realm of space surveillance. Three sessions are scheduled: international cooperation; technical, financial and legal aspect; and space surveillance. The colloquium is organized under the patronage of the French Ministry for Research and New Technologies with the support of the United Nations’ Office for Outer Space Affairs, and the participation of the European Space agency (ESA) and CNES (French Space Agency). It is also sponsored by some other European and international companies and organizations. For more information, refer to the French National Academy of Air and Space website : http://perso.wanadoo.fr/anae/.
