SatellitePro Middle East

ISSUE 6 | MAY 2012

Towards affordable space missionsSpace flightS every day? are you Safe?

Hackers eye satellite networksSatelliteS and trafficImplementing GIS in Abu Dhabi A SUPPLEMENT OF

BROADCASTPRO ME PUBLICATION LICENSED BY IMPZ

ENTERPRISETELEPORT

du’s Ahmed Al muhAideb PRePARes FOR The ONslAuGhT OF FuTuRe TV ANd mORe

EDITORIAL

When wishes are horses...If your child says that he wants to create solutions for the internet, manufacture electric cars and launch manned space missions – all by the age of 45 – you would be wise not to laugh. With PayPal and Tesla Motors out of the way, SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, is now days away from a static fire test of the Falcon 9 rocket’s nine Merlin engines in preparation for the company’s upcoming Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) launch.

The press release from SpaceX states: “This will be the first attempt by a commercial company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, a feat previously performed by only a few governments. Success is not guaranteed. If any aspect of the mission is not successful, SpaceX will learn from the experience and try again.”

Would you have read this press release – nay – admission of vulnerability to failure, in the days of Sputnik vs. Apollo? The refreshingly candid language is matched by a fierce determination to make space missions affordable and eventually create the platform for space travel.

The fact is – the world needs these dreamers. The much-publicised last journey of the space shuttle Discovery to its resting place in Washington made the need for affordable space travel painfully clear.

On the other side of the pond, Europe’s answer to American flamboyance, Richard Branson, welcomed actor Ashton Kutcher, as the 500th person to sign up for a space trip on Virgin Galactic.

But we know this is not just about some millionaires getting together for a big bash in zero gravity. Innovations in space technology are making it possible for Nigeria and Kazakhstan to enter the space industry. We are in for some interesting times. Tightening one’s purse strings has never been this much fun.

Supriya SrinivasDeputy Editor, SatellitePro Middle East

© Copyright 2012 CPI. All rights reserved. While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this

magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

Publisher Dominic De Sousa

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managing directorRichard Judd

[email protected] +9714 440 9126

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In this edition:

“The sectors of growth for our region include the move to HD and the increase in the number of television channels that cover the African continent …”Radi Alkhas, CEO, Jordan Media City – page 12

“Satcom professionals are not always current on the latest issues in IP or cyber security technologies because they have historically worked mostly within isolated Satcom-based networks”Stuart Daughtridge, VP of advanced technology, Kratos Integral Systems International – page 30

“Communications for the maritime industry have traditionally been very restrictive and pay-by-the-minute for those trying to connect to the shore.”Joel Thompson, vice president, product management, Iridium – page 34

“The ability to allow participants to use virtually any desktop or mobile device…adds a level of flexibility that is increasingly important to today’s mobile workforce”Tom Luketich, VP of strategic marketing, EMC – page 36

Thuraya Broadband SolutionsNew Broadband Maritime Communications Solution:

For more information, contact our offices at:

Dubai+971 (4) 44 75 180

www.safa-telecom.com

Abu Dhabi+971 (2) 55 00 446

www.safa-telecom.ae

IEC TELECOM GROUPSAFA TELECOM

May 2012 | SatellitePro | 3

CONTENTS Issue 6 | MAY 2012

News

4Creating synergiesCollaborations, conferences, expanding operations and more

Cover Story

12The industry’s entrepreneursMENA’s top ranked teleport operators from Jordan and Dubai are unfazed by the disruption of linear TV

SatDebate

18Rocket science on a budgetExecutives from SSTL, SpaceX, XCOR, ILS and Virgin Galactic weigh the viable options towards affordable space missions

SatVertical: Government

SatCaseStudy

24Satellite interference in military operationsMartin Coleman of SiRG underscores the need for mitigation remedies in the military sector

SatSecurity

SatVertical: Marine

26GIS in townAbu Dhabi department of traffic deploys enterprise GIS

30At risk from hackersThe migration of satellite ground networks to IP-based technologies make them vulnerable to hackers

34Affordable marine SatcomIn conversation with Joel Thompson of Iridium

SatVertical: Enterprise

36Video conferencingInnovative pay-as-you-go solution with everyday devices

40

43

SatTechnology

SatEvents

Innovations in converters, lasercom, receivers, M2M platforms, oscillators and more

Countdown to SatCom Africa, CommunicAsia2012, Eurosatory 2012, Anga Cable Show and VSAT 2012

44SatGuestIn conversation with HE Abdul Nasser El Hakim, Curacao’s minister for economic development on space travel

12

18

40

4 | SatellitePro | May 2012

SatNews

Newtec has demonstrated, what the company described as a world record, a 310 Mbps transport over a

36 Mhz transponder. Tests and validations were carried out using existing antennae and power infrastructure on Yahsat’s Y1A.

The resulting full duplex STM-1 (2 x 155 Mbps) has reportedly never before been achieved on a 36 Mhz transponder. Newtec will be making its next generation technology, capable of enabling these speeds, commercially available during 2012.

The link was established using Newtec’s next generation satellite IP modulators and modems in combination with its bandwidth cancellation units (ZN871). The test used Clean Channel Technology, Bandwidth Cancellation and Wideband (all Newtec technologies), of which the first two are available and on the market now.

“By increasing the amount of data that can

be transferred per transponder, Newtec is effectively increasing the amount of business we can do and helping us to provide the optimum service for our customers too,” said Tareq Abdel Raheem Al Hosani, CEO of Yahsat.

Newtec demonstrates 310 Mbps over a 36 Mhz Yahsat transponder

RigNet deploys iDirect hub in Doha for the oil and gas sectorRigNet Inc., a global provider of managed remote communications solutions to the oil and gas industry, has deployed a new satellite hub in Doha, Qatar.

The new evolution hub will extend RigNet’s VSAT coverage in the Middle East and enhance the company’s satellite service portfolio for current and new customers in the oil and gas sector. Using iDirect’s Intelligent Platform, RigNet supports a wide range of applications that are critical for the oil and gas industry, such as broadband data, voice and video

communications, as well as real-time data management.

Built on the next-generation DVB-S2 transmission standard with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM), the iDirect Evolution platform reportedly delivers exceptional bandwidth efficiency and availability, enabling RigNet to meet the high Service Level Agreements that its customers require to ensure that critical enterprise applications run smoothly.

“It’s important that we use the best technology and iDirect’s Evolution platform

is ideal for supporting the dynamic needs of the oil and gas industry,” said Morten Hagland Hansen, vice president, global engineering and operations, RigNet.

Emirates Airline to upgrade connectivity with Cobham satellite antenna

Cobham’s hGA-7001 satcom high-gain

antenna sub-system has been selected by

emirates Airline for its boeing 777 upgrade

programme to swift broadband, due to

commence in mid 2012.

The airline plans to retrofit more than 50

of its b777 aircraft with the Cobham antenna

sub-system, enabling satcom connectivity for

the cabin and cockpit.

“This is a landmark opportunity for

Cobham in the retrofit market, and we

are delighted to be working with emirates

Airline,” says Fred Cahill, vice president of

Cobham Antenna systems.

Cobham is developing a supplemental

Type Certificate (sTC) to enable the hGA-

7001 to be retrofitted to the b777. Other

sTCs are in progress to certify the Cobham

antenna sub-system for retrofit on a range of

aircraft platforms.

“Providing swift broadband connectivity

on board our b777 aircraft is part of a major

retrofit programme for emirates,” said Adel Al

Redha, emirates Airline executive vice president

engineering and operations, in charge of the

antenna selection process. “We selected the

Cobham antenna due to its superior technical

performance and light weight, low drag

characteristics. We look forward to working with

Cobham on this opportunity.”

Fred Cahill, vice president, Cobham Antenna systems

serge van herck, CeO of Newtec and Tareq Al hosani, CeO of Yahsat at CAbsAT 2012

www.cobham.com

www.newtec.eu

www.rig.net


Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic),

the in-flight entertainment and communications

(iFeC) solutions provider, has added

additional coverage and capacity for its global

communications service via the intelsat-14

satellite which is operated by intelsat.

david bruner, vice president of

Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s global

communications service said,

“The coverage provided by the intelsat-14

satellite is a strategic addition to our global

aeronautical broadband network because

it provides seamless service to several

African destinations and trans-Africa air

routes which are important to our in-flight

connectivity customers.”

Panasonic’s global communications suite

provides two-way broadband connectivity

to an aircraft. it supports a wide range of

passenger and crew applications including

in-flight broadband internet access over Wi-Fi

to passengers, and mobile phone service

offered in collaboration with Aeromobile.

Panasonic’s in-flight connectivity service

also includes, according to the company, the

first and only global live television service

to offer content from bbC World News, bbC

Arabic, NhK World Premium, France 24,

euronews, imG media’s barclays’ Premier

league Channel and imG media’s sport 24.

david bruner, vice president of Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s global communications service

estimated mss wholesale services revenue in 20202.2

The first satellite for Azerbaijan, Azerspace, is being manufactured on the STAR-2 platform of the Orbital Sciences

Corporation company. At present 22 satellites created on this platform are being operated globally. The Azerbaijani satellite will be launched in 2013 from the Kuru cosmodrome in French Guiana aboard an Ariane-5 rocket carrier.

The Azercosmos OJS Co. aims to launch, manage and operate telecommunication satellites and thereby strengthen national information security through links between state agencies, legal entities and individuals, to the satellite network.

General director of Azercosmos, Rashad Nabiyev, has said that 39,5% of the capacity of the first satellite has been bought by Malaysia’s Measat Company.

Gulf Air to broadcast live coverage of Formula One races

First dealers for Inmarsat’s XpressLink

Azerbaijan to launch first satellite in 2013

Panasonic Avionics adds satellite capacity over Africa

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced the launch of Sport 24, a 24-hour live sports channel produced by IMG Media, broadcaster of the Formula One races, including the 2012 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix held at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir.

Sport 24 will be available on ‘SkyHub’, Gulf Air’s comprehensive entertainment solution. This addition to the

airline’s on-board global live television services offers fans the opportunity to watch the races uninterrupted on-board Gulf Air flights throughout the F1 season.

Gulf Air also announced the successful retrofitting of almost 90% of its A330-200 fleet with the new ‘SkyHub’, offering passengers full broadband connectivity to access internet, mobile phone services and, for the first time in the world, live

television content on-board. The Panasonic’s Global Communications Suite will complete installation across Gulf Air’s entire fleet by summer 2012.

www.sport24.co.za

www.azerkosmos.az www.inmarsat.com

www.panasonic.aero

A total of 12 firms will form part of a global network of XpressLink dealers. XpressLink reportedly offers versatile high-speed broadband by using a combination of Ku-band VSAT and FleetBroadband.

New recruitsThe dealers who have signed up for XpressLink so far are: Anchor Marine Equipment and Repair Company, AND Group, Arscom, DH-Intercom, Elcome, Hellenic Radio Services, Navarino, One Net, Otesat-Maritel, Satlink, Station Satcom and Tile Marine.

Customers will be given an intelligent below-deck system unit and access to the online customer portal as part of the XpressLink package, which is being managed end-to-end by Inmarsat.

SatNews

The Abu Dhabi Systems & Information Centre (AD-SIC) organised a technical workshop titled ‘Using Satellite Imagery

in Geospatial Data Systems’ that was attended by representatives of the members of the Abu Dhabi Spatial Data Infrastructure Programme (AD-SDI) and industry experts.

During the workshop, Peter Becker from the Institute of Environmental Research (ESRI) presented the best practices and applications for satellite imagery. The Space Reconnaissance Centre also addressed the stages of creating and processing satellite images, their requirements and multiple uses within various sectors, and programmes that utilise satellite images.

Bayanat for Mapping & Surveying Services

also presented the use of digital aerial sensors in the production of spatial data, the latest devices in aerial photography and marine survey, and the preparation of relevant spatial data. The workshop included a presentation by the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) which gave an overview of the capabilities, applications and functions of the Dubai Sat-1 satellite, and revealed the characteristics and advantages of the new Dubai Sat-2.

Since its inception in 2007, the AD-SDI programme has been supervising the implementation of spatially-enabled government e-services in coordination with the emirate’s government entities.

Bangladesh to build its first satellite

Abu Dhabi hosts satellite workshop SkyGate to distribute SES satellite broadband service in the Middle East

An American firm will help Bangladesh design and launch the South Asian country’s first satellite. Officials say Space Partnership International (SPI) signed a $10 million consultancy deal with the state-run Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission in Dhaka.

SPI managing director, Bruce D. Kraselsky, stated that his Maryland-based company will design the satellite and

hire a company to build and launch it. He added that Bangladesh wants to launch the satellite by 2015.

Bangladesh authorities stated that the satellite would improve its telecommunications services, collect meteorological data for disaster warnings and help map natural resources. The satellite will reportedly cost around $150 million. The South Asian nation currently

spends $11 million a year renting satellites.

ses and skyGate, an internet service provider in

the middle east, have signed a five-year contract

for the distribution of ses’ satellite broadband

service, ses broadband, formerly known as

AsTRA2Connect, in the middle east.

skyGate markets ses broadband to end

customers and businesses in the region, offering

download speeds of up to 10 mbps using the

AsTRA 3b satellite at 23.5 degrees east orbital

position. ses broadband is an internet solution

for smes and residential users, especially in

remote areas. it is marketed via distribution

partners and is reportedly suited for areas that

lack terrestrial broadband access.

“With skyGate, we have found an excellent

partner to deliver satellite broadband to the

middle east. We see growing demand for

connectivity coming from this region and

with skyGate we will be able to offer reliable

broadband access to businesses and individuals

that have so far been lacking internet connection,”

said Ferdinand Kayser, CCO of ses.

Ashraf hajjaj, CeO of skyGate, said: “The

middle east region is one of the fastest

growing markets and we are delighted

to cooperate with ses and profit from its

expertise to further grow our business. We are

looking forward to extending the service with

ses to increase the satisfaction of our current

and future customers.”

www.adsic.abudhabi.ae

www.skygate.mewww.spacepi.com


Ferdinand Kayser, CCO of ses

bruce d. Kraselsky, managing director, sPi

The proportion of Fss industry revenues accounted for by top five operators70

Thuraya, the mobile satellite operator elected a new board of directors at its annual general meeting. Serving

a three-year term, the newly elected 2012 board of directors comprises: Mohammad Hassan Omran, chairman - Etisalat, Khalid Ahmed Balkheyour, president CEO – Arabsat, HH Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Munarak Saif Al Thani – QTEL, Nasser Bin Obood, A/CEO – Etisalat, Yousuf Al Sayed, head of group transformation office - Etisalat, Obaid Al Sharid, senior vice president – financial operations - Etisalat, Abdulrahman Al Mubarak – Abu Dhabi Economic Council, Ahmed Mohamed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim – Abu Dhabi Economic Council, Khalid Bin Kalban, managing director – Dubai Investments PJSC.

Thuraya announced that for the first time two independent directors will join its board. They are: Michael Butler, former president and CEO of Inmarsat, and Charles W. Moore, president of Lockheed Martin Global, ME and Africa.

Most recently, Thuraya launched its

latest generation dual-mode satellite and GSM phone, Thuraya XT-DUAL, reportedly making it the only operator to offer seamless communications all over the world. Part of Thuraya’s offerings is also, what is reportedly, the world’s smallest satellite broadband solution to support 384 Kbps streaming.

Skyband, the Saudi Arabia-based service provider, expands with Hughes

Thuraya elects new board of directors during AGM

Indian Space Research Organisation to launch Astrium’s SPOT 6

Saudi Arabia’s Skyband, a long-time customer of Hughes Network Systems, LLC, has expanded its broadband satellite services business with an order for over 2,000 additional HX satellite terminals.

Osman Oueida, general manager of Skyband, said, “Skyband continues to grow the enterprise and government businesses and we are pleased with the quality of Hughes products and support, that have been key to our expansion plans.”

Soheil Mehrabanzad, assistant vice president for Middle East/Africa region at Hughes said, “Skyband has been a valued customer of Hughes for several years and we congratulate them on their successful expansion plans.”

Efficiency and flexibility in utilising satellite bandwidth is, according to the manufacturer, at the core of the HX System design. Based on the industry-leading Internet Protocol over Satellite (IPoS) standard, approved by ETSI, ITU, and

TIA, the HX System can be readily configured to provide a specified Quality of Service (QoS) for each link to a particular terminal, enabling operators to provide services tailored to a customer’s specific requirements.

The indian space Research Organisation (isRO)

will launch a French advanced remote sensing

satellite later this year. sources said isRO’s

commercial arm, Antrix Corporation, signed an

$20.4 million deal to launch the 800-kg satellite,

sPOT 6, built by Astrium sAs, a subsidiary of

France’s eAds. it will be launched by isRO’s polar

satellite launch vehicle (PslV).

“A commercial launch services agreement

between Antrix and eAds was signed recently,”

said an isRO release. The PslV will carry other

payloads along with sPOT 6. The arrangement is

part of a contract signed by the two agencies in

september 2008.

in November 2010, isRO and Astrium together

built an advanced communication satellite, hYlAs,

for a european customer. isRO said it is looking

forward to further collaborations with Astrium.

isRO also announced the completion of the

mission life of iNsAT-2e, the last of the five

satellites in the iNsAT-2 series. The satellite was

built with a planned mission life of 12 years and

the release said it functioned beyond this. The

satellite, which was mainly for communication

services, also carried a very high resolution

radiometer and a charge coupled device camera

for meteorological observation. iNsAT-2e was

controlled from the isRO facility at hassan, india.

www.thuraya.com

www.skyband.com.sa www.isro.org


mohammad hassan Omran, chairman, etisalat

in November 2010, isRO and Astrium built an advanced communication satellite, hYlAs, for a european customer

SatNews

Qatar Airways and Thales, the airline’s In-Flight entertainment and connectivity supplier, announced the opening of a

new technology research, development and training centre located at the Qatar Science and Technology Park in Doha.

The new centre has been established by Thales in collaboration with Qatar Airways under the official name, Thales QSTP-LLC. In the first phase of development, a joint innovation and technology project will be established to further develop in-flight entertainment (IFE) solutions for Qatar’s national carrier in the heart of the airline’s hub.

The French company will also reportedly provide new in-flight entertainment and communication systems for the airline’s Boeing 787 aircraft, of which the first of 60 on order is scheduled for delivery this summer. Qatar Airways is the Middle East launch customer of the Boeing 787.

Addressing guests at the official opening of the new Thales Centre, Qatar Airways chief executive officer, Akbar Al Baker, said, “The new centre will ensure that the development and implementation needs of Qatar Airways will be met quicker with improved timelines for content updates on our aircraft.”

Added Al Baker: “IFE today plays a crucial role in a passenger’s decision making process when choosing which airline to fly with. 15 years ago IFE played a very small part of an airline’s product offering.

“Today, it is a crucial element in the entire package of services offered by airlines to passengers. Qatar Airways has understood the importance of entertainment, hence our inflight offerings have tripled from over 300 interactive audio and video options seven years ago to more than 1,000 today.”

Ethio Telecom in talks for back up satellite services

Qatar Airways and Thales open new tech centre

Virgin Galactic and Aabar Investments appoint chief advisor for Spaceport Abu Dhabi

SES, the Luxembourg-based company with a fleet of 50 satellites, is in negotiations to provide satellite services to back up the infrastructure of Ethiopia’s telecommunication provider, Ethio Telecom.

SES is planning to invest more than $1.325 billion (approx.) in satellite infrastructure in Africa and

expects to launch a satellite to serve East Africa including Ethiopia said Ibrahima Guima-Saidou, African Representative for SES.

Ethio Telecom has shown progress in utilising satellite service to complement the fibre optics system and is expected to continue increasing its satellite capacity to better support the

existing fibre cable system, explained Guima-Saidou.

Ethio Telecom has officially been seeking satellite service providers to back up its telecommunication infrastructure. It is expected that SES and Ethio Telecom may come to an arrangement in the coming months.

Virgin Galactic llC, part of sir Richard

branson’s Virgin Group, and Aabar investments

PJs have appointed steve landeene to the

role of chief advisor, spaceport Abu dhabi.

between 2007 and 2010, landeene was

executive director of spaceport America in New

mexico and oversaw the development of Virgin

Galactic’s operational hub and the world’s first

purpose built commercial spaceport.

under a deal announced in 2009 between

Virgin Galactic and Aabar, the two companies

agreed that Abu dhabi would gain exclusive

regional rights, subject to the receipt of

regulatory clearances, to host Virgin Galactic

tourism and scientific research space flights.

landeene will be responsible for developing

a roadmap for the proposed construction of a

spaceport in Abu dhabi.

Virgin Galactic also announced a partnership

with Zayed university, Abu dhabi, to establish

an intern programme encouraging the next

generation of leaders.

Commenting on the partnership,

Whitesides said: “As Virgin Galactic extends

its global footprint, we intend to support the

communities in which we are involved, and are

eager for this intern programme to become

fully established.”

www.qatarairways.com

www.virgingalactic.comwww.ses.com

Akbar Al baker, CeO, Qatar Airways


George T. Whitesides, CeO, Virgin Galactic

The Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) has selected Newtec to upgrade its members’ infrastructure to bring the first fully High Definition (HD) Olympic Games to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The infrastructure upgrades will allow the ASBU members to receive live Olympic multilateral feeds and news channels in HD and will also turnaround the HD signals to provide SD simultaneous broadcast (simulcast). The Olympic content will be injected into the central archive of the ASBU Multimedia Exchange Network over Satellite (MENOS), allowing members to access the content at a later time and eliminating the need for each member to individually archive all feeds. This will result in significant cost reductions and operational streamlining.

Slaheddine Maaoui, ASBU director general, said: “The Olympic Games have always been

major milestones for us, for the introduction of new platforms, technologies and services. London 2012 will be the first HD Olympics for many of our members, together with comprehensive MENOS simulcast, content archiving and playout.”

Yahsat’s second satellite Y1B successfully launched

Noorsat’s playout expands to 120 channels

Playbox Technology has completed the

supply and installation of 15 new playout

channels for the satellite service provider,

Noorsat. Noorsat is a long-time Playbox

customer and this latest phase of channel

expansion takes its total number of Playbox

playout channels to 120. Other Playbox

equipment includes ingest, CG and storage

taking the total number of servers installed

in Noorsat’s technical operations centre at

manama, bahrain to 139.

“This ongoing successful partnership is

based on the reliability, flexibility and cost-

effectiveness of the Playbox Technology

playout solutions,” says Pavlin Rahnev,

director, solution sales, Playbox.

“When we arrive there are empty racks, when

we leave there is a working teleport. This is the

way we have worked with them from the start.”

The equipment is used in two different

ways. The majority of channels provide

playout services for customers. in this case

the channels receive their content, along

with the playlist that may be delivered on

paper or via email, and Noorsat performs the

required operations including ingest, playout

and transmission – in other words running

the channel for the customer. For some

other channels, Noorsat provides remote

connectivity to offer a service similar to the

edgebox remote playout operation. in this

case, Noorsat owns and runs the playout

channel and the customer remotely uploads

material and playlists via FTP, and the

customer himself controls it.

www.asbu.net

www.yahsat.ae

www.noorsat.com


Newtec Equips ASBU for First HD Olympics

slaheddine maaoui, director general, Asbu

The Y1b weighs more than 6,000 kgs and features a spacecraft power of 14kw and has a 15-year design lifetime. it is equipped with a commercial multi-beam Ka-band payload, which will be used to provide a variety of government and commercial applications, including “YahClick”, a satellite broadband service for the middle east, Africa, and south West Asia.

Proportion of commercial communications satellites of the total satellites in orbit37

www.arabsat.com

41.4x27 cm Sattelite Pro

Our world. Now sharper than ever with the HDTV portal of the Middle East. Your world.

See the difference with the region’s largest satellite operatorWith the reach, power and unmatched capacity of Arabsat’s state-of-the-art satellite fleet, the largest Arab community in the sky now brings you more power to experience the future in incredible detail. No wonder over 90% of free-to-air HD-TV channels in the MENA region are now exclusively broadcasting on Arabsat satellites. Join our premium community today!

www.arabsat.com

41.4x27 cm Sattelite Pro

Our world. Now sharper than ever with the HDTV portal of the Middle East. Your world.

See the difference with the region’s largest satellite operatorWith the reach, power and unmatched capacity of Arabsat’s state-of-the-art satellite fleet, the largest Arab community in the sky now brings you more power to experience the future in incredible detail. No wonder over 90% of free-to-air HD-TV channels in the MENA region are now exclusively broadcasting on Arabsat satellites. Join our premium community today!


SatLead

TELEPORT HEAVYWEIGHTS:THE INDUSTRy’S ENTREpRENEURS

Television has become less dominant in the business mix of teleport operators in recent decades as the industry has diversified into other vertical markets. But media and entertainment still contribute to nearly half the revenues of the top teleport operators. We look at two MENA-based teleports, in Dubai and Jordan, as they adapt to platform multiplicity and the changing economics of the region

The antenna farm at du’s teleport – samacom Photo: Syed Suhail, du


The drive to the distinct antenna farm at Du’s teleport facility, Samacom, enroute to Jebel Ali Free Zone, takes

you past construction sites suspended in motion – stark reminders of the recession that unfolded globally in the fourth quarter of 2007. “That was an interesting time,” recalls Ahmed Al Muhaideb, vice president – broadcasting & IPTV services, du. “In 2008 we were expecting a dip in business. On the contrary, we grew.”

Similarly Jordan was at the geographic epicentre of the Arab Spring. And yet, Jordan Media City’s CEO Radi Alkhas, speaking to SatellitePro Middle East on the growth opportunities in the region, says, “With the Arab spring, more commercial (private) TV channels are being established.”

The global teleport industry is not immune to external jolts. In fact, it is quietly preparing for years, away from the headlines, for the biggest jolt – the world of future TV. Akin to a tsunami – future TV encompasses all the radical changes occurring around the traditional business of linear television. According to the World Teleport Association (WTA), future TV would include the move from HDTV to 3DTV, platforms that are multiplying to encompass internet delivery to the computer or tablet, streaming to the handheld device, downloading to PVRs, and over-the-top services that embed a Web browser and internet-delivered content into the familiar TV set.

Savouring the challenge of future TVAs per the World Teleport Association’s (WTA) report titled: The Future TV and the Teleport, teleport operators and other content distribution service providers face challenges from future TV, but they are the kind of challenges a service provider hungers for: greater complexity, higher volume, challenges on margins but also opportunities to scale upward.

Ahmed Al Muhaideb regards these radical changes as business-as-usual. He says, “For instance, five years ago, when the demand arose, we put the first HD signal on Arabsat. We are constantly upgrading our ground station facilities. For us, upgrades are not a challenge – they are

part of our business-as-usual operations. In the past, TV stations were mostly MPEG-2,

now they are MPEG-4 – we changed and adapted according to the demand.”

A glimpse into teleport technologyWith the days of one analogue channel occupying one transponder long gone, a quick tour of du’s teleport at Samacom offers an insight into the advances in technology in the teleport sector. As you walk through the NOC where the channels are monitored 24/7, to the climate-controlled equipment area housing state-of-the-art DTH multiplexers, high power amplifiers, playout systems, spectrum analysers and hubs for enterprise customers, among other equipment, with built-in redundancy for every conceivable scenario, the robust sense of preparedness

is unmistakable. The 16-channel new TV playout system with Omneon (harmonic) servers and Pebble Beach automation system will, according to Al Muhaideb, enhance the capability of the facility.

Spread over an area 150,000 sqm, the teleport houses an antenna farm currently numbering 33 with a satellite visibility arc that reportedly provides coverage over five continents. With an estimated 80 to 85% of the current revenues drawn from the broadcasting sector, Samacom broadcasts 227 channels and offers playout facilities to 16 of them. For occasional use, the facility has a driveaway SNG service. Having initially serviced the Dubai Media City in 2001, the facility, according to Al Muhaideb gets more than 50% of its revenues from outside the media city area. Globally ranked 9th by the WTA in terms of revenue, Al Muhaideb believes the potential for growth is far from achieved.

He says, “From just five to six channels in 2001, we have grown to 227 channels. While I see this sector growing, we are experiencing growth in our enterprise sector as well.”

“The quality of relationship we have nurtured with our customers has helped us get where we are. With in-depth knowledge of customer needs, we have the ability to cater to their demands and invest in technology appropriate to those needs”

Ahmed Al muhaideb, vice president - broadcasting & iPTV services

Jordan Media City is a free zone broadcast facility based in Jordan. With 25 transponders on a range of satellites including ArabSat, NileSat, Yahsat, Hot Bird and AsiaSat 1A, JMC has established itself as a leader in providing DTH TV and radio services, standard definition in MPEG 2 and 4 as well as high definition in MPEG 4.

Independent Teleport Operator for 2012

Accepting the award from the WTA on behalf of Jordan media City is saleh hamzah (r), CeO, Nilesat

The year Tokyo Olympics images were broadcast by the satellite syncom 31964


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With plans to extend coverage to Africa (Arabsat5A), Europe (Eutelsat 13 deg and Yahsat), Australia and the Far East (Asiasat 5), apart from extending internet services via satellite, Alkhas of Jordan Media City, looks at the apparent disruption of linear TV as a undiluted opportunity.

He says, “The sectors of growth for our region include the move to HD, the back-hauling of TV channels from European satellites to Asian satellites and vice versa, the increase in the number of television channels that cover the African continent and delivering TV channels from across the globe via internet or fibre.”

Operationally positioned for changeAs per the WTA report, teleport operators and other content management and distribution service providers believe they have found themselves in a sweet spot. Their existing ingest, management and playout infrastructure positions them to provide the complex range of services that the new media outlets need to deliver content. Far from being commoditised by future TV, they face a near-term future full of opportunity.

Robert Bell, director of the WTA calls the teleport operators the original entrepreneurial business of the satellite

industry. “Building, launching and flying satellites is highly capital-intensive, which is why governments and big companies dominate. But the commercial teleport

industry got its start when entrepreneurs in the US responded to regulatory changes by seizing the opportunity and going into the communications service business,” Bell says.

The daily rigours of operating a teleport The challenges faced by teleport operators such as du and Jordan Media City that have broadcast as a major source of revenue, are more day to day.

“Broadcasters demand very high availability rates. If you have a blackout for a few seconds, even at 2am in the morning, which is not their prime time viewing, they will not be happy. The other challenge is finding capacity on very short notice and ensuring that channels have backup facilities, if requested, in case of emergency situations such as a fire in their facilities and so on,” Al Muhaideb points out.

With an availability rate of 99.98%, two generators other than the electricity supply from the city’s electricity board, nothing is left to chance at Samacom.

The phenomenon of jammingHowever, there is very little you can do to prepare for a phenomenon that has arisen as a major challenge for teleport operators in the MENA region – jamming.

“The most successful teleport operators strike a fine balance between leadership and ‘followership’. Historically, they get into trouble when they invest too far ahead of the market”

Robert bell, executive director, World Teleport Association

The NOC at du’s teleport facility - samacom

Equipment at Samacom

• Equipment in the NOC: TV Fibre system - Nevion, L-Band Router - ETL , SDI Router - Nevion-VIKINX• Multiplexers: Ericsson, Harmonic• Spectrum analysers: Agilent, SAT DSA• Systems integrators for the NOC: Globecomm Systems Inc ( GSI), Ericsson, Teksignal, Glocom-Dubai• Systems integrators for RF Systems: Globecomm Systems Inc ( GSI)• HD DTH compression equipment: Ericsson• Antenna manufacturers: Vertex RSI, Andrew (ASC), Prodelin• Play out Server: Omneon-Harmonic• Play out Automation: Pebble Beach• Amplifier systems: CPI, Xicom, and Codan• Up converters and Satellite Modems for Data: Comtech EFData, Vertex RSI• VSAT Systems: iDirect and Comtech EFData


Of the daily challenges his operations face, Alkhas speaks of government regulations regarding content of television channels, the low technical quality of some channels and lastly, the increase of transponder interference from unknown carriers.

During the Arab Spring, at the height of the problem, Al Muhaideb’s team at Samacom alternated between frequencies to ensure continuity of broadcast. “We monitor the satellite spectrum constantly and we provide alternative capacity, if required,” says Al Muhaideb.

While both teleport operators are diversifying into other verticals such as oil and gas, enterprise and government/military, among others, broadcast remains the big revenue earner.

Demand drives investmentTeleport operators, according to Robert Bell, have learnt the fine art of balancing the multifaceted strategies of specialisation and diversification.

Al Muhaideb agrees and says, “We enjoy a close relationship with our broadcasters. We know their executives and other staff members on a first name basis. There are no surprises and it keeps us ahead. The quality of relationship with our customers has

helped us get where we are. With in-depth knowledge of customer needs, we have the ability to cater to their demands and invest in technology appropriate to those needs.

“As far as future TV is concerned, we are carriers and for us whether it is live TV or catchup TV, it is content that has to be carried efficiently and reliably. Demand drives investment. You cannot build a facility anticipating demand. Operators who do that will not be around for a long time.

“I have yet to see a requirement, over the years, that is unique. But we do not build before someone asks for it. And when there is demand, given our 365/24/7 nature of

operations, our response time is very fast.” While diversification continues in du’s

teleport facilities in terms of co-location for enterprise customers, broadcast remains Al Muhaideb’s first love. “Our staff here, and me included, are from a broadcasting background, so we understand the rigorous demands of the sector.”

Among the many tasks on his ‘to-do’ list is the roll-out of digital terrestrial TV by 2013 and despite the shrinking in demand for terrestrial TV, Al Muhaideb believes that the sector will endure successfully owing to the lower rates for rights to be paid by broadcasters.

Robert Bell elaborates on this approach.

Over the years: Award-winning teleport technologiesIn an annual awards ceremony held in Washington in March each year, the World Teleport Association recognises an organisation whose technology has contributed to the business and operational success of teleports through lower costs, increased efficiency, new capabilities or access to new markets. We look at some of the award-winning technologies over the years.

Group QoS and Global NMS from iDirect Technologies Group QoS is an advanced technology feature of the iDirect Intelligent Platform that enables network operators to logically partition shared bandwidth among different customers, groups of remotes and applications according to

dynamic service plans that extend to the application level.

Newtec’s FlexACM Newtec’s FlexACM is an end-to-end solution for implementing Adaptive Coding Modulation (ACM) technology, IP shaping, compression and acceleration in an efficient way for IP trunking and IP backbone satellite links.

Comtech EF Data’s CDM-625 Advanced Satellite Modem with VersaFECVersaFEC provides maximum coding gain with the lowest possible latency to support cellular backhaul and other latency-sensitive voice, video and data applications. The CDM-625 with VersaFEC

was specifically architected to support ACM for IP/Ethernet traffic.

XipLink Hub OptimisationsXipOS Hub Optimisations (“XHO”) reportedly feature bandwidth savings and performance enhancements that operate on a standalone appliance located at the teleport or internet point of presence in a satellite network, allowing operators to compress HTTP traffic by a factor of 1.5.

Crystal Solutions’ SentrySentry is the industry’s newest spectrum monitoring solution. Sentry is, according to the manufacturer, ideally suited for television network broadcasting, satellite service providers, network operation centers, data and Internet, cell tower and ENG and microwave monitoring.

“The sectors of growth for our region include the move to HD, the back-hauling of TV channels from European satellites to Asian satellites and vice versa and the increase in the number of television channels that cover the African continent, among other areas”

Radi Alkhas, CeO, Jordan media City

in-home video devices connected to the internet by 20161.8


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“The most successful teleport operators strike a fine balance between leadership and ‘followership’. Historically, they get into trouble when they invest too far ahead of the market. Instead, teleport operators design their facilities to be as flexible as possible and as lean as possible. They let the needs of their customers determine the configuration of their facilities.

“I recall advising on the business plan for a new teleport operator in the Middle East. The operator’s plan was to invest a very large sum of money in creating a complete technical infrastructure. I advised the company that customers would have their own requirements regarding modems, encryption, compression and other needs, and if they tried to make those decisions in advance, they would wind up buying a lot of equipment they did not need.”

Future trends for the teleport sectorOf the future trends in the business and speaking for the teleport industry at large, Bell says, “For today’s operators, the recession in the industrialised nations is finally affecting them, making things difficult in the short term. They are responding by finding ways to reduce operating costs and squeeze more productivity from the satellite and fibre capacity they buy. Longer term, teleport operators face the same challenges as everyone in the information and communications technology (ICT) business – rapid change in markets driven by the ICT revolution. In mature markets, traditional television distribution is not growing but demand for second-screen solutions, catch-up TV solutions and other kinds of interactivity are good for business. Teleports excel at using technology to solve complex problems for their customers, and the need to provide video in any format, for any device, at any time is right up their alley.

“Continued high demand for broadband connectivity for business and government is also a strong market for teleport operators. This will continue to be robust for some time but there is a long-term challenge from new Ka-band satellites

Enhancing its satellite data business offerings, du has launched a new Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services platform based on the iDirect evolution technology. The addition of this new platform to the company’s satellite data services portfolio reportedly brings value to its bouquet of business offerings.

Under its VSAT offerings, du provides integrated end-to-end solutions for corporate and enterprise customers, delivered over a redundant backbone infrastructure. du VSAT offerings include: IP VSAT; Managed Data Network services over satellite; Satellite Integration Solutions. Additionally, du will offer a complete line of high quality and high performance internet, intranet and extranet solutions on VSAT, enabling customers to increase productivity and profitability through IP technology.

“VSAT represents a significant addition to our corporate and enterprise offerings. It

provides a solid new base from which remote businesses - such as those in the oil and gas industry – are able to ensure reliable, consistent communications at all times. It will bring further convenience and flexibility to such industries,” said Farid Faraidooni, chief commercial officer, du.

du launches new VSAT service platform

being deployed in EMEA and North America. The design of Ka-band networks involves tight integration with a set of gateway earth stations selected by the satellite operator. Unlike other frequency bands, teleport operators will not have direct access to the satellites themselves – at least under current business models. They may still develop hybrid C/Ku/Ka offerings for their customers, but it will still be a major business change.”

Value added serviceIn addition to a teleport spread over 40,000sqm of land, operations such as Jordan Media City take justifiable pride in their value added service.

Alkhas says, “Our main complex boasts two production studios of 600sqm in net floor area, along with control rooms and artists’ areas. The studios are used for the production of television series and talk shows. Also, two studios of 70sqm are used for interviews and news feeds. We have twenty post production editing suites furnished with the latest equipment.

“JMC has a nine-camera OB van equipped

for sport and large events coverage, and a four-camera unit equipped with mixing, recording and editing facilities. We have a 1.9m flyaway SNG in both C and Ku bands. Our playout system is very sophisticated. JMC operates state-of-the-art ingest servers, archive systems and playout services for 90 channels.

“We have a number of earth stations for reception and retransmission from Asian and European satellites to Nilesat 101, 102, 104 and Arabsat 2B, Badr-4, Badr-6, Eutelsat (Hotbird) and Asiasat 5. In addition to this, we also have a fibre link connected to Globecast’s global network.”

With a burgeoning broadcast industry and the need to service expanding enterprise and government sectors, du has outgrown its current teleport. du has invested in a new, state-of-the-art playout system that will go on line before Ramadan, and plans to move the teleport to a larger, more secluded area.

Going forward, strategic partnerships forged with broadcasters, enterprise customers and satellite operators remain the cornerstone of the growth for teleports in the region. PRO

Farid Faraidooni, chief commercial officer, du


SatDebate

Innovations in space travel have an uncanny ability to convince even the most blasé of onlookers that we will be

landing on Mars tomorrow. Amidst talk of electric propulsion, reusable rockets, multiple flights a day and manned space missions, it is important to separate the here-and-now from innovations in the pipeline.

It seemed right that the discussion at the Global Aerospace Summit in Abu Dhabi, on the future of commercial launches started with the mention of small satellites that have been around since the dawn of the space age, but, with major advances in microelectronics, are providing cost-effective solutions at a time when space budgets are decreasing. From Nigeria to Kazakhstan, small satellites are playing a critical role in promoting access for developing countries to space and satellite applications.

Speaking at the summit in Abu Dhabi, Steve Young, director, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited said, “With build times having reduced, satellites can be constructed at a fraction of the price normally associated with space missions. Of course, securing orbital and launch slots are still vital and the relationships we have developed with launch providers are critical. We are optimistic about the future of small satellites with trends such as imaging missions. There is an increasing demand for very high resolution data. In addition, we see small satellites moving into areas that have traditionally been the domain of larger satellites until recently, for example, radar missions. These missions can now be supported through small satellite solutions such as the SSTL NovaSAR (synthetic aperture radar) system.”

Earlier this year, Sir Martin Sweeting, SSTL’s

From tickets being sold for space tourism to addressing the holy

grail of space travel – reusability – the push and pull elements of constrained budgets

and technological innovations respectively,

have banished notions of business-as-usual from

the satellite industry

ROCKET SCIENCE ON A budGET

With its increased capacity, Ariane 5 eCA can handle dual launches of very large satellites. This version of the Ariane 5, the company hopes, will help to maintain europe’s competitiveness in the commercial space transport sector by offering customers the opportunity to launch a wider range of heavier satellites while reducing launch production costs


chairman, speaking to the press, had said the spacecraft, which will be the first of SSTL’s NovaSAR products, will be built and launched for a total cost of around $73.2 million (approx.). The four-satellite constellation could be placed in orbit for around $325.2 million (approx.) which by industry standards is considered head-turning.

Established and new commercial launch service providersConsidering the prohibitive cost for launching satellites, it is understandable that there are relatively few commercial launch service providers with the capability to take a satellite to geostationary orbit. Arianespace, Sea Launch and International Launch Services (ILS) are among the main providers of services performing approximately 50%/25%/25% of commercial launches in any given year. The other main launch service providers are China Great Wall Industries Corporation (CGWIC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).

In this mix, are a couple of newcomers stirring the proverbial pot. Creating exciting, cost-effective solutions for space missions are Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) and XCOR Aerospace. Going by the recent interview SpaceX CEO, Elon Musk, (also co-founder of PayPal) gave the highly rated The Daily Show by Jon Stewart, space exploration is regaining ‘street cred’.

At the summit, Christophe Bauer, vice president, SpaceX, opened his address with a question to the audience “Who drives a car made in the cold war?”, thus setting the stage for a discussion on the cost-driven technology

shifts unfolding around space missions. From tickets being sold for space tourism to addressing the holy grail of space travel – reusability – the cost and technological goal-posts of space missions are shifting rapidly.

Private initiatives towards cost-effective space travelBauer said, “At SpaceX, we control the entire manufacturing process and that has driven down costs. More than 80% of the rocket is built in-house.”

In 2010, the company became the first private business to launch a spacecraft into orbit and safely guide it back to earth with a now well-known payload: a wheel of cheese. Among the many initiatives from his company to address the crucial element of cost and accessibility to space, Bauer said, “We have successfully test fired SuperDraco, a powerful new engine that will change the future of human spaceflight. The engines can be used repeatedly, making the spacecraft more like airplanes, which can be flown again and again with minimal maintenance between flights. Reusability will drive down costs.”

Apart from carrying cargo to the International Space Station, Hawthorne-based Space Exploration Technologies aims to send astronauts into space with its systems, saying that it is able to deliver astronauts into orbit at a far cheaper cost than relying on Russian rocketships, and with equivalent or better safety.

Bauer acknowledged the pivotal role NASA has played in facilitating their progress. And now it seems the commercial world is responding. SpaceX, and AsiaSat, the leading regional satellite operator in Asia, have agreed to launch two AsiaSat communications satellites using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket in 2014.

Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and chief technology officer said, “We are producing the most advanced launch vehicles in the world, and the international launch market has responded -- commercial launches now represent over 60% of our upcoming missions.”

In the realm of cost-effective innovations, the two-stage fully reusable vehicle is a logical progression, stated Bauer. He added, “We will begin testing on a vertical propulsion landing system later this year, that is part of a long-term project to evaluate the potential of creating a fully-reusable version of our Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The first element of testing the simulations with real hardware will begin via a technology test bed called “Grasshopper”. This concept points to a single-engine Falcon 9 First Stage with its own landing legs.”

“Don’t throw away the vehicle”Addressing the critical issue of reusability, Andrew Nelson, COO, XCOR Aerospace said, “If

“We see small satellites moving into areas that have traditionally been the domain of larger satellites until recently, for example, radar missions”

Average cost per mission to launch a space shuttle450

XCOR’s suborbital reusable launch vehicle, lynx, is capable of up to four flights per day using advanced rapid call-up and turnaround operations

steve Young, director, surrey satellite Technology limited


you don’t throw away the vehicle, 13 flights a day are possible with the cost per kilo brought down to $200. We are moving towards an era where you can talk of not two years in design but just two months in design. This is not a pie in the sky dream.”

XCOR’s suborbital reusable launch vehicle, Lynx, is capable of up to four flights per day using advanced rapid call-up and turnaround operations. The Lynx will reportedly provide three to four minutes of microgravity as well as, if desired, exposure to the harsh environment of space. This will provide opportunities to investigate the largely unexplored regions of our upper atmosphere.

NASA has selected XCOR Aerospace to provide suborbital flight and payload integration services for research and scientific missions in a programme that will offer up to $10 million dollars in contracts to match payload customers with flight vehicle services.

“Through this award, NASA has recognised XCOR’s Lynx suborbital vehicle as a useful payload platform that will benefit both NASA’s research and development needs and the private research, scientific, and educational communities,” stated Jeff Greason, XCOR’s CEO.

The financial roadblockWhile there appears to be significant government encouragement and incentives for frequent and low cost access to space, insurance, one of the major costs for any new satellite-based project, is a factor that makes budgeting extremely difficult. Those wishing to exploit new commercial opportunities now face a much higher entry threshold if they need to finance their projects.

With signed contracts from customers and backing from blue chip partners, XCOR Aerospace, by all accounts, is ticking the boxes that heighten potential lenders’ comfort levels to part with funds.

XCOR Aerospace announced recently that it closed a $5 million round of equity funding. CEO Jeff Greason believes that they were able to raise funds in these trying economic times because, of “our $60-plus million backlog of orders for Lynx suborbital vehicles, flights on Lynx, and our unique reusable non-toxic rocket engines [that] gives the investor community reason to take notice.”

Offering considerable hope for similiar startups in an industry dominated by a few big names, XCOR COO, Andrew Nelson said, “We

have no friendly billionaire to help us. It was all about spending smartly. From our inception in 1991 to 2011, we have spent under 50 million dollars. A couple of years ago, we successfully demonstrated high performance piston pump technology with liquid hydrogen. XCOR has

been developing piston pumps for space applications for more than eight years as an alternative to turbo pumps, demonstrating longer life and lower cost.

“We’re building our Lynx suborbital vehicle to accommodate as many of these missions as possible,” affirmed XCOR’s COO Andrew Nelson. “By integrating multiple payload spaces both inside the pressurised cabin and exposed to the vacuum of space, we can handle a large variety of experiments as well as the researchers themselves. This is currently a very underserved market, with long lead times and no guarantee of payload recovery on conventional sounding rockets. NASA is jump-starting a revolution in the commercial space industry and scientific research by pairing up payload investigators with cutting edge private suborbital vehicle providers such as XCOR.

“The secret to ensuring safety,” continued Nelson, “is to fly day in and day out. When the cost of flying is low, you fly often and you learn lessons quickly. It is a self-fulfilling process.”

Commercialisation of spaceWith tickets to buy a Lynx sub orbital flight advertised prominently on the website, XCOR Aerospace has embraced the idea of manned flights and space tourism wholeheartedly.

The commercialisation of space has begun in earnest. In the last two to three years, the area with perhaps the highest visibility, from newspaper headlines to industry summits, is space tourism. Incredible ideas have been discussed in relation to orbital flights and hotels in space and on the moon.

“The engines (SuperDraco) can be used repeatedly, making a spacecraft more like airplanes, which can be flown again and again with minimal maintenance between flights”

SatDebate

Christophe bauer, vice president, spaceX

(left) in march 2012, spaceX completed an important milestone – the first NAsA crew trial, towards building a prototype dragon crew cabin to eventually carry astronauts to the international space station. (Right) spaceX’s dragon spacecraft after a successful orbital flight


HE Abdul Nasser El Hakim, Minister of Economic Development, Government of Curacao told us why his tiny Carribean island is inviting space tourists. (More on page 44).

Virgin Galactic partners with Abu Dhabi-based Aabar Investments PJSC, to build a spaceport in Abu Dhabi that will eventually reduce flight times from the Emirati capital to the United States to only one hour.

Virgin Galactic, an offshoot of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, expects to test fly its first spacecraft beyond the Earth’s atmosphere this year, with commercial suborbital passenger service to follow in 2013 or 2014, company officials said in February 2012.

Value of personal space flightCommenting on how personal space flight could impact the region, George Whitesides, CEO of Virgin Galactic said, “The first benefit is economic with high net-worth individuals coming to Abu Dhabi and spending their money on a service. The indirect economic benefit is that Abu Dhabi will develop into a world-class tourist attraction with experiences that could be wrapped around space travel. Secondly, there are the scientific and research benefits. Researchers from the area could take advantage of the facility . And thirdly, there is inspirational and educational value to be had. Studies show that a lot of economic surge in the USA was driven by the investments around the Apollo programme.”

Andrew Nelson of XCOR added, “It creates opportunities for other players to come into the market. The satellite/space industry is an inverted pyramid with a few large operators forming the base. There is an overlay of products and services and as you go above there are millions of applications allowing individual entrpreneurs to enter the industry. As we drop costs of access to space, you then enable the products and applications’ layer and with the right investments in education, you will create an entrepreneurial space.”

Empowering emerging nationsCreating similar ripple effects in emerging countries, albeit with a different approach is SSTL director Steve Young said, “Every country we work with is a collaboration. Recently, we launched two spacecraft for Nigeria and their

engineers, trained in our facilities, designed and manufactured a third satellite. The benefit for SSTL is that such collaborative efforts drive innovation within the company. Secondly, we have engineers from Khazakstan being trained. These collaborations have allowed for in-country capability. Another instance of innovation is the three spacecraft being built by SSTL where we have leased imaging capacity. We have already leased 100% of the capacity. Once they have generated seven years of data, it will be free for us to use as we continue to own the satellites.”

Both SSTL and SpaceX acknowledge the pivotal role played by governments – the UK government and NASA respectively.

Innovations by established space launch service providersWith all the talk of cost cutting, one executive from a well-established name among space launch service providers, wryly commented that the “proof is in the pudding”. The price tag to launch a large satellite to geostationary orbit is said to be in excess of $100 million. Although there is no remote threat in the forseeable future to their leadership position in the area of launching satellites, Arianespace and ILS have initiated cost-saving initiatives.

Arianespace CEO, Jean-Yves Le Gall, speaking to the press, stated that synergies resulting from multiyear contracts signed at the end of last year with 22 companies involved in launch operations at the space centre at Kourou, French Guiana, should help to reduce the cost of an Ariane 5 launch by some 20%. The synergies will derive from making more rational use of the Kourou facility.

While acknowledging competition, Le Gall underscored their leadership position saying, “In 2011, Arianespace booked 10 Ariane 5 contracts for geostationary satellite launches, nearly 50% of the 21 that were offered for tender by satellite operators.” The company carried out nine launches last year, including

“The secret to ensuring safety is to fly day in and day out. When the cost of flying is low, you fly often and you learn lessons quickly. It is a self-fulfilling process”

“The first benefit [of personal space flight] is economic with high net-worth individuals coming to Abu Dhabi and spending their money on a service. [Also] Studies show that a lot of economic surge in the USA was driven by the investments around the Apollo programme”

Andrew Nelson, COO, XCOR Aerospace

George Whitesides, CeO of Virgin Galactic

Annual running cost of a satellite at 36mhz bandwidth1.5


five of its Ariane 5 heavy-lifter launch vehicles and four for its Russian partner Soyuz. For 2012, the company plans to launch seven Ariane 5s, five Soyuz and the first launch of its new, smaller Vega launcher. Commenting on the work ethic that has underpinned this leadership position, he said, “We deliver on time with a high degree of reliability. We also deliver on what we promise.”

Representing another world leader in providing launch services for satellite operators, Ratnarajah Kularajah, director, International Launch Services (ILS), spoke of launch lead time having reduced from 38 to 19 months. With ILS’ Proton/Breeze-M vehicle successfully launching the Intelsat 22 satellite weighing 6,199 kg from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan into supersynchronous transfer orbit (SSTO) at a 65,000 km apogee, he said, “The launch demonstrates the commercial viability of hosted payloads for government users.”

The established players were also not immune to the can-do spirit epitomised by the likes of SpaceX and XCOR, when Kularajah said that, “we forsee a time when we can launch a rocket every 15 days”.

Dr Jean-Yves Le Gall, CEO of Arianespace has reportedly said that “a launch of an

Ariane 5 [launcher] must generate revenue of $212 million (approx.) and such a flight must accommodate two satellites, one big and one small”.

With its increased capacity, Ariane 5 ECA can handle dual launches of very large satellites. This version of the Ariane 5, the company hopes, will help to maintain Europe’s competitiveness in the commercial space transport sector by offering customers the opportunity to launch a wider range of heavier satellites while reducing launch production costs.

Innovations, not without caveatsCreating cost-effective solutions for space missions is not without tradeoffs that commercial operators must consider. Among the many initiatives towards cost-effective solutions, is electric propulsion. Boeing’s announcement early in 2012 of a contract to build up to four communication spacecraft with all-electric propulsion for Asian and Mexican customers could shift the commercial satellite industry’s trend for larger, heftier platforms requiring powerful rockets to launch them into orbit, officials said.

However, as one executive at the summit noted that currently orbit-raising with only electric propulsion could take six months, delaying the start of service for new commercial communications satellites. It’s a trade-off that private operators must consider – giving up quicker revenue from a new satellite for the reduced launch costs or extra communications payload of a lighter spacecraft.

Caveats or not, the enthusiasm of the new players in the launch services sector remains robust and contagious. When Andrew Nelson of XCOR was asked about the real hazards of space debris, he replied without hesitation: “We see space debris as an opportunity.” PRO

SatDebate

“The launch [Intelsat 22 satellite] demonstrates the commercial viability of hosted payloads for government users”

Ratnarajah Kularajah, director, international launch services (ils)

Nigeriasat-2, an earth observation small satellite was launched in August 2011, built by uK-based ssTl, together with Nigeriasat-X, which was built under a training and development programme

The upcoming spaceport in Curacao (more on page 44)


SatVertical: Government

TACKLING SATELLITE INTERfERENCE WITH mILITARY PRECISIONMilitary transmissions suffer from the same interference issues as commercial transmissions do and call for similar mitigation remedies, writes Martin Coleman, executive director, Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG)

In the April issue of SatellitePro Middle East, we discuss the need for Carrier ID in time for the Olympics later this year. We have

put a lot of effort into bringing the broadcast community on board with tackling satellite interference. However, there are many other users of satellites and that is part of the problem. The military is no exception and is the one area where fixing the problem of satellite interference is the most crucial, as it can, and often does, jeopardise vital operations.

I am glad to report that at both the Stratcom event (December 2011) and the recent satellite show in Washington DC, we have had encouraging support from our military colleagues and, I believe, we are of like mind when it comes to mitigation of satellite interference. To this end, we are continuing to include all aspects of the communications spectrum and using training and certification, type approvals and carrier ID as the principle initiatives to help move forward on this critical subject.

Impact of interference on the militaryThe effect on the military is exactly the same as that of commercial transmissions. There is no difference; it means degradation or a complete loss of service!

Of course, in the middle of a crucial operation this could be critical, affecting an operation, but also, potentially, the lives of those carrying out that operation. It is therefore critical in a military environment to reduce satellite interference and its effects.

Factors causing interferenceSatellite interference is caused by a number

of factors and not due to deliberate signal jamming, which, originally, was the inferred cause for many years until statistics proved otherwise. In the main it is us, the operator or the equipment itself.

In the military arena, auto-deploy systems are used prolifically and for good reason, as they reduce manpower, costs, and the ability to be left unmanned. The problem with unmanned systems, however, is that deployment rules are at best basic and in most cases, the systems will be deployed or withdrawn from deployment regardless of the presence of certain essential parameters to reduce interference.

These systems are crucial for the military and it would simply not be practical to get rid of them, and that is certainly not what I’m suggesting. There are a number of well-

thought out, intelligent, systems available from very few companies which ensure proper operation at all times. If we could only ensure that such “intelligence” is used, I am confident that alone would significantly reduce occurrences of interference.

Following a lively discussion at our recent sIRG conference at the end of last year, we have set up a working group to look more deeply into improving auto-deploy software systems, that endeavor to ensure interference-free operation. The group is just in its initial stages and is tackling the issue of satellite identification. Our hope is to work towards some key resolutions and ideas that we can help incorporate into GVF’s Product Quality Assurance Framework. The process has already begun with auto-deploy manufacturers making necessary design

The problem with unmanned systems is that deployment rules are at best basic and in most cases, the systems will be deployed or withdrawn from deployment regardless of the presence of certain essential parameters to reduce interference


improvements as standard. We welcome anyone who thinks they may have something to add to this group.

Solving interferenceA common misconception is that interference is something we simply have to put up with. There are, however, a number of ways to reduce interference and I would like to think that we will eventually be able to eradicate it altogether. The only way we can achieve this is by working together. We have already done an enormous amount of work with satellite operators, broadcasters and equipment manufacturers across the globe, establishing a number of initiatives and good working practices to tackle this growing problem. I would like to continue this proactive phase with the military as I believe that if we roll-out these same initiatives, we would see a significant reduction in instances of interference within both the military and commercial arenas as these often overlap.

Initiatives from the militaryThat said, some in the military have done much in trying to prevent interference. For example, the US Navy funded an IRG-GVF with the WiMAX-VSAT C-band test and proved the catastrophic affects of using WiMAX at C-band. Also, the DoD unit that sets up communications for the US president have obtained GVF certification and now include an examiner on their staff. And there are many more...

In order to reduce the number of instances of military-based satcom interference, it is in fact as simple as rolling out the same initiatives we have been pushing hard elsewhere, including Carrier Identification (ID), which essentially means that the carrier can be quickly identified, so when interference occurs, the satellite operator can identify instantly how to resolve the problem.

Extending application of Carrier IDCurrently Carrier ID is only being applied to the commercial broadcast scenario. I believe, by utilising very simple ID codes, military transmissions should be included. After all we do not want the situation where all broadcast carriers in the future have ID and, therefore, by simple analysis, anything else

Martin Coleman is director Colem and ColemSpice, and executive director of the Satellite Interference Reduction Group (sIRG). Coleman started Colem as an engineering services and design consultancy. Coleman has been working with sIRG (formerly SUIRG) for a number of years and was instrumental in

establishing the ground rules for adding Carrier ID

to digital video carriers. He was named Executive Director in 2011. Coleman has worked with a number of broadcasters and satellite operators to improve their process control, including BSkyB, Reuters and YLE.

Engage with the Satellite Interference Reduction Group (Sirg) at www.satirg.org

About Martin Coleman

not having an ID must be military?It is in the interests of everyone in

the industry to integrate Carrier ID however, as it means that if interference on your feed is found, the operator can quickly and efficiently solve the problem. There are already a number of equipment manufacturers developing and integrating Carrier ID and we are already at the technical committee stage of the integrating Carrier ID in to DVB.

Training and certification initiativesOther initiatives, such as the Global VSAT Forum’s (GVF) system of training and certification for VSAT installers, are already under way. The GVF VSAT Installation and Maintenance Training Course was created to serve as the global industry standard for installers of bi-directional satellite earth stations. It was established by a consensus of expert volunteers serving in the GVF Education and Training Working Group.

GVF is now looking to integrate these methods for SNG and FlyAway operations. The global aim is to only use installers who have undergone formal training and certification to work in all areas of satellite transmission.

I know that many manufacturers follow a great deal of due diligence when it comes to ensuring their products include high

quality and outstanding specifications needed for satellite transmission equipment. Interference Reduction Group (IRG) has been working with GVF, WBU-ISOG and the RFI-EUI to help define minimum equipment requirements and introduce a cost effective system of type approvals. As with training, I would like to see a situation whereby equipment not meeting those requirements will simply not get purchased throughout every area of our satellite industry.

Military and private sector collaborationThe problem of interference is not going to be solved overnight and it is not going to be solved by any one individual or group of individuals. We place a lot of emphasis on working together with the other groups, from within the entire industry, from equipment manufacturers, through to satellite operators, uplinkers to end users; whether that is broadcasters, military users or from the maritime industry, all have an important part to play.

These initiatives are in place to help tackle interference, and we are working to encourage people experiencing interference to share the problem and resolution, or the lack of resolution, ask for guidance and help from our members and associates.

Working together in this way, we can solve interference! PRO

“Currently Carrier ID is only being applied to the commercial broadcast scenario. I believe, by utilising very simple ID codes, military transmissions should be included”

Annual cost of interference for a fleet of three satellites2


SatCaseStudy

Abu dHAbI dEPLOYS ENTERPRISE GIS TO SERVE TRANSPORTATION PLANSHigh resolution satellite imagery incorporated into a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) has gained popularity among planners, for large scale mapping across most urban and land development applications. Saed Abu Helwa, technical director, of UAE-based GISTEC gives us an overview of a pioneering GIS project in Abu Dhabi

On the coast of the Arabian Gulf rests one of the most modern and fastest-growing cities in the world,

Abu Dhabi. The emirate of Abu Dhabi has witnessed huge growth in infrastructure and construction projects in recent years, such as the famous mega projects – Yas and Saadiyat Islands – have developed into tourist destinations.

The Department of Transport (DOT) is the organisation in the Abu Dhabi government that’s responsible for delivering an effective transportation system that contributes to the economic growth, quality of life, and environmental sustainability of the fast-growing emirate. DOT’s authority is to regulate, plan, and develop an efficient and well-integrated transportation system that serves the public interest by enhancing mobility with safe, secure, and environmentally responsible travel in the aviation, maritime, public transport, and highways sectors.

The client briefAs part of Abu Dhabi 2030 (the country’s infrastructure plan), DOT needed a robust GIS system to support the planning and daily operational and business needs of building, managing, and maintaining a state-of-the-art transportation network as well as new public transportation services.

DOT conducted an in-depth evaluation of the different GIS technologies before deciding on the Geocortex Essentials technology from Esri’s ArcGIS Server and Latitude Geographics Group Ltd. Based on

the ArcGIS platform, Geocortex provides flexible core elements as well as out-of-the-box tools, processes, and features that would give DOT the ability to build and maintain an evolving web-based mapping solution.

The project was awarded to GISTEC, the Esri distributor for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in cooperation with GeoSolveIT, a UK-based company that has expertise in building transportation GIS solutions.

Objectives of the projectSeveral key objectives were to be achieved

by the completion of the project:• Build the foundation transportation data

model, infrastructure, and database for the GIS within DOT

• Use GIS data for planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance processes.

• Build a public Internet portal (DARB) to deliver services such as driving directions, bus route information, and road works information.

The GeoTRANs web viewer displays the different parking types, such as premium and standard, within Abu dhabi City


• Explore the capabilities to provide GIS services and data to Abu Dhabi government organisations via Abu Dhabi Spatial Data Initiative (AD-SDI).

• Identify the enterprise GIS road map for DOT, which would focus on building the platform to create and integrate GIS applications with other DOT business systems such as No-Objection Certificate(NOC), transportation impact studies (TIS), road works, and permits.

• Build GeoTRANS, an enterprise-level intranet portal that would provide accurate and reliable geospatial information and services to various DOT sectors such as surface, aviation, and maritime transportation.

The GeoTRANS system was launched on the DOT intranet to support all the organisation’s sectors and included an interface to the AD-SDI. The GIS was used to integrate the isolated datasets of different departments into a single geo database that encompasses Surface Transport Master Plan (STMP) data; the complete, emirate-wide road network; and information on parking and accidents.

Today, the GeoTRANS GIS portal is supporting and enhancing DOT’s daily business in terms of planning, network operation, public awareness of road works projects, and much more. This project is an excellent example of fast-track implementation of a successful enterprise GIS for transportation in a place with the highest demands in terms of functionality and workflows due to the rapidly growing infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The following is a brief description of some of the services provided by the GeoTRANS intranet portal for DOT users:

• Modeling ApplicationThis application disseminates key information on DOT’s 2030 Surface Transport Master Plan, a long-term conceptual transportation infrastructure strategy outlined for Abu Dhabi. The website contains Information on the master plan and the respective five-year action plans (2015, 2020, and 2025). The site shows the planned conceptual locations for the metro, tram, rail, highway, park and

here, the GeoTRANs web viewer shows the proposed construction length of selected tramlines for each year

“This project is an excellent example of fast-track implementation of a successful enterprise GIS for transportation in a place with the highest demands in terms of functionality and workflows due to the rapidly growing infrastructure in the emirate of Abu Dhabi”

Is satellite imagery one of the primary sources of data for the Abu Dhabi DOT? Yes, satellite imagery is a key source of the data used in GIS and in our project in DOT. This kind of data is used for various applications. the simplest way is to use it as a backdrop similar to what you see in Google earth. The imagery can be used for extracting data like water features, grass, soil types, and so on.

What were the logistics involved in implementing the project?It took around one year, with many challenges, especially with the data, as creating and cleaning geographic data is very time consuming and challenging and has to be well tested. You can visit the public portal www.darb.ae which is part of the project to experience some of the results. Our team comprised on an average six people between developers, system analysts, database specialists, GIS data specialists and a project manager. As for training, we developed an elaborate and detailed training programme since DOT was being initiated into GIS. Generally, we offer a range of authorised training courses to those who wish to fully utilise the capabilities of a GIS.

saed Abu helwa, technical director, GisTeC


SatCaseStudy

ride, and ferry services. The website will be regularly maintained to show updates. The website also has basemap layers and various useful and frequently referenced datasets, such as imagery and other basemap datasets (e.g., highway routes).

• Safety ApplicationThis application currently contains road safety data, including summary information about accident hot spots. This is used to support engineers in visual analysis of the summary of accident data.

• Parking ApplicationThis application provides users with information about parking locations and assets, both on- and off-street, including the DOT-managed parking facilities.

• Transportation Impact Studies Application (TIS)The TIS application disseminates information concerning traffic count surveys. The site shows the location of proposals and the remediation/mitigation measures associated with a specific traffic study area. The application also has basemap layers and other useful and frequently referenced datasets, such as imagery and utilities, to support highway engineers.

• Bus and Taxi ApplicationThis application provides rich information about existing bus routes and bus stops as well as taxi facilities, including lay-by and stand locations. It allows users to analyse and manage data with respect to other activities in DOT and reflect the same on the public portal site for public use and dissemination.

DARB Public PortalWhile GeoTRANS provided advanced tools and functionalities for the DOT’s internal end users to access maps, tools, analytics, and reports, DOT envisioned its public portal, DARB (www.darb.ae), as the main gateway to share maps and services with citizens in the United Arab Emirates, using a fast and simple, map-based interface. All the services were planned and implemented in English as well as Arabic languages to cater to both the

The Abu Dhabi Police (ADP) received the prestigious Esri Enterprise GIS Vision Award in recognition of its advanced Esri platform that improves key areas, such as crime prevention, security, and emergency management.

“Their success is a result of the vision and leadership shown by Major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi,” said Jack Dangermond, president, Esri. “The Abu Dhabi Police use GIS to bring together people and processes for making better decisions.”

Enterprise Geographic Information System (GIS) services support police business and geo-enable

legacy police systems. The Abu Dhabi Police G.H.Q. has, as per the citation, dramatically reduced response times and eliminated manual descriptive guidance from the caller. GIS-based maps and analysis also help locate police resources and responders through an automated vehicle location system, allowing command and control (C2) officers to dispatch the nearest responder to the incident location.

Abu Dhabi Police G.H.Q. receives ‘Enterprise GIS Vision’ award

With the dARb public viewer, citizens can see the parking areas in Abu dhabi City with parking rates and time allowed

local culture and the diversified expatriate community of the UAE. Some of the main services that have been launched for the public are car travel, bus travel, aviation, maritime, and the DARBI (Geofeedback) applications.

DARBI: Reporting of incidents Public users can use the map in this innovative feature in the DARB portal to record any incidents pertaining to road assets, parking, bus shelter, street lighting, and road conditions. Users can click on the map and choose the type of incident to be reported,

enter all the required information about the incident, and even upload photos. Incident reports are sent to DOT’s Customer Care department for further action. Once an issue is addressed by DOT, the user receives an e-mail with a link to open the Geofeedback map directly in DARB and see the status of the incident report. PRO

“Satellite imagery is a key source of the data used in GIS and in our project in DOT”

(l to r) Jack dangermond, president esri and major General Ahmed Nasser Al Raisi from AdP


SatSecurity

SATELLITE-bASEd NETWORKS: AT RISK fROm HACKERS

To offer an accurate risk assessment for satellite-based networks would be difficult. Halvar Flake, a Germany-

based computer security researcher and mainstay of the BlackHat security conferences said: “Predictions are hard – especially if they concern the future”.

But going by past history, Felix ‘FX’ Lindner, Head of Berlin-based Recurity Labs believes that satellites are targets, albeit collateral. As the technical and research lead of Recurity Labs that consults on security issues, he believes satellites are targets because “high-end attackers focus on high profile targets. High profile targets make ever increasing use of satellite communications. Everything in the satellite infrastructure is a perfect vantage point for the attackers. Ultimately, satellites will be

attacked to hit their customers.”Concurring with this, Stuart Daughtridge,

vice president of Advanced Technology, Kratos Integral Systems International, a US-based security solutions provider, says, “There have been several highly visible incidents of cyber security [infiltration] affecting satellite and space resources, including: additional background information released about disruptions of the Landsat 7 and Terra imaging satellites; news reports about breaches in several countries of the government agencies including those involved in space, defense and communications operations; and disruption of BBC satellite signals reported just recently.”

Heavy reliance on IP-based devicesDaughtridge says, “Use of Internet Protocol (IP) based devices have been increasing

The migration of satellite ground networks to IP-based

technologies is delivering tremendous benefits in cost, performance, and

interoperability, but also introduces increased cyber security risks ranging from

sophisticated reverse engineering, tampering, and cyber attacks, including zero-

day exploits, execution of unauthorised code, and high-

risk insider threats

“All I’m saying is, it’s hardly rocket science.”

“Higher-level protocols may be standard TCP/IP, plaintext, encrypted, or some totally imaginary 17-bit codeword system.”

“The weak link is satellites themselves. When

you build a satellite, you don’t care about security, but you care about MTTF (mean time to fail)

and MTTR (mean time to repair).”

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throughout commercial and government satellite ground networks for a variety of reasons including cost savings, performance advantages and better interoperability. While IP has played a role for some time, and are commonplace especially in commercial networks, it’s presence is increasing as many operators look toward end-to-end IP in the ground segment.

“The benefits of IP are real and valuable, but they come with additional risk that terrestrial networks have had to counter for years. Satellite ground networks have typically relied upon specialised equipment, thus enabling satellite network operators to rely on ‘security through obscurity’.

“However, today there is a much heavier reliance on IP-based servers, workstations, modems, recorders and other equipment that creates an additional “attack surface” for cyber threats. Additionally, some Satcom systems have connectivity to commercial IT infrastructure and even connect to the internet for ‘‘data access and file transfers’’, as NASA has reported. Threat surface also increases as some satellite operators move from dedicated lines to leasing commercial telecommunication lines.

“As a result, Satcom professionals are not always current on the latest issues in IP or cyber security technologies because they have historically worked mostly within isolated Satcom-based networks. Now these Satcom networks are becoming integrated parts of the larger overall communications infrastructure, integrating IP-based systems with Satcom.”

Hacking risks for satellites Commenting on the history of hacker interest, Felix Lindner, Head of Recurity Labs, says, “Generally, hackers are interested in everything that is technologically challenging. I was introduced into hacking by people who broke into Russian military/spy satellites for imagery. The Astra signals were decoded by hackers using Commodore C64 home computers. In those days, satellite Pay-TV used to be the driver of interest.”

“Most satellite hackers come from the DVB background,” says Lindner.

He adds, “Accordingly, they keep the

hardware as it is and explore the networks. An incredible 32% of all easily observable satellite traffic is now some corporation’s network traffic (TCP/IP). The satellite downlinks provide the most convenient attack path into corporate networks. The ability to see one part of all the communication enables many attacks that are otherwise a lot harder.”

Simple case of reverse engineeringUnderscoring the vulnerability of satellite-based networks, Lindner gives an instance of the breaking of a satellite phone encryption. “Secret encryption algorithms were developed by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Researchers from Ruhr University Bochum (Germany) simply obtained the respective phones and reverse engineered them.

“GMR-1 turned out to be similar to GSM A5/2. The Cipher text was only vulnerable to an attack due to a design flaw. The design weaknesses allow for known plaintext attacks. It requires a mere 30 minutes on a standard PC.”

According to Lindner, GMR-2 is only slightly better.

The Telemetry Tracking and Control (TT&C) system is vulnerableGoing by past trends, Lindner analyses possible future targets. All satellites must

have a method of storing and analysing the data collected by the satellite, and a way of controlling its various systems The satellite subsystem that stores, analyses data collected by the satellite and controls its various systems – the Telemetry Tracking and Control (TT&C) – Lindner believes – is vulnerable.

TT&C is the brain of the satellite and its operating system.

He says, “Telemetry, Tracking and command (TT&C) intrusions are probably undertaken in order to obtain control when it is needed. However, with increased IP routing in satellite payloads, the chances of

successful direct attacks rises removing the need to attack the TT&C.”

An extreme example, not entirely improbable, considering the increasing hostility between nations, is when individual countries could consider attacks on launch control systems in order to prevent new military satellites from reaching orbit, says Lindner.

Daughtridge believes that “all systems are vulnerable. Although military systems may be targeted more by certain types of threats, many countries including the U.S. have designated satellites as “critical infrastructure,” making the networks subject to additional cyber security and information assurance regulations. As military and government missions increasingly rely upon commercial service providers, those vendors will be subject to compliance regulations as well.

“In the U.S., for example, the Future Comsatcom Services Acquisition (FCSA) contract vehicle requires service providers to comply with Information Assurance 800-53 of the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the DOD Instruction 8500.2 controls. Solutions that support an organisation’s ability to comply with these regulations provide both significant cost and security advantages.”

“Another assumption is that the attacker needs specifications of your system in order to attack it. This is wrong. Reverse engineering is what drives many people. You are providing an incentive, not a deterrent!”

easily observable satellite traffic that is any given corporation’s network traffic32

Felix ‘FX’ lindner, head of berlin-based Recurity labs


Myths around security compound apathyLindner believes that not learning from past attacks on networks could result in more devastating attacks against satellite systems.

Compounding the general state of apathy are myths. Lindner explains, “ One of the commonly held myths is that the domain specific knowledge required to attack our stuff is not readily available. This has been disproved countless times in all domains. We are no longer talking about bored teenagers.”

“Another assumption is that the attacker needs specifications of your system in order to attack it. This is wrong. Reverse engineering is what drives many people. You are providing an incentive, not a deterrent!”

And while the most bandied word in any satellite conference especially for the military and government sector is encryption, Lindner believes it gives the creators a false sense of security. He says, “Secret encryption is the worst form of the secrecy myth.”

Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE-656): Reliance on security through obscurity Daughtridge reiterates, “Satellite ground networks have typically relied upon specialised equipment, thus enabling satellite network operators to rely on ‘security through obscurity’.”

Security through obscurity refers to a principle in security engineering, which attempts to use secrecy of design or implementation to provide security. The technique reportedly stands in contrast with security by design and open security, although many real-world projects include elements of all strategies.

Security through obscurity has reportedly never achieved engineering acceptance as an approach to securing a system, as it contradicts the principle of “keeping it simple”. The United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) specifically recommends against security through obscurity. “System security should not depend on the secrecy of the implementation or its components.”

In cryptography proper, the argument against security by obscurity dates back to

at least Kerckhoffs’ principle, put forth in 1883 by Auguste Kerckhoffs. The principle holds that design of a cryptographic system should not require secrecy and should not cause “inconvenience” if it falls into the hands of the enemy.

Lack of threat modellingLindner cautions against what he calls a false focus. “People tend to look at potential security threats to their system by how they would attack it. In addition, lack of formal threat modeling uses up all the time and budget in the wrong place such as firewalls, anti-virus, intrusion prevention and the like. Astoundingly, even most penetration tests are done wrong. Unfortunately, the hidden agenda is often to limit the scope of a penetration test to the maximum level of ineffectiveness, in order to look good to higher management and customers.”

Lindner defines the concept of threat modeling as “a well established process to holistically determine possible attacks, mitigations and defenses of a complex system. It involves identifying processes, external actors, data stores and data flows. Threat modeling necessitates systematically working though all threats automatically determined from the data flow diagrams (DFDs) models. The process

will ensure efficient investment of the scarce defense resources.”

Insider threats, as potent as external onesDaughtridge says, “It is important also to take insider threats into account as well as external ones. A survey by Cybersecurity Watch found that 21% of security breaches were caused by insiders and that 33% of CSOs viewed the insider attacks as more costly. Many, possibly most, insider threats are actually accidental rather than intentional, such as clicking on a malware infected link, but damaging. Use of recorders to monitor user actions at a workstation and the provision of a video record is a strong counter to the insider risk. ‘Hardening’ of the network devices to prevent against malware and other problems can help prevent both external and insider threats.

Distinguishing between threatsKratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. announced recently that its RT Logic subsidiary has released CyberC4, a family of cyber security products designed specifically for the satellite industry.

The new products reportedly address the increased vulnerabilities as satellite networks continue to become more netcentric, filling the major cyber security

SatSecurity

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gaps that can disrupt missions. The product suite includes: CyberC4:

Armor for hardening Satcom equipment against exploits; CyberC4: Capture for protecting against insider threats; CyberC4: Alert for network-wide, real-time cyber security situational awareness; and CyberC4: Guard for communications across black and red domains within secure networks. Each, according to Daughtridge, is available for standalone use, while also integrated together as a unified and layered, “defense in-depth” solution for information and mission assurance.

Commenting on the sensor that acts as the eye of the network, Daughtridge says, “CyberC4:Alert sensors are strategically deployed on the network to gather log data, netflows and observe network traffic. Sensors are capable of both passive monitoring, and active scanning. Malicious events are detected through signature, protocol and anomaly-based inspection and correlation of data collected from sensors.

Once deployed, Alert establishes a baseline of system and network usage patterns, which are used to trigger anomaly alarms. Some examples of anomaly alarms include unusual bandwidth usage, the introduction of a new host on the network, a network outage, or the absence of a critical host or service.

Daughtridge underlines the fact that the CyberC4 system is a Security Event Information Manager (SIEM) that is tailored specifically for satellite ground networks. He says, “It accommodates many of the devices that are unique to satellite ground

networks, such as Satcom modems and TT&C servers, and supports important compliance requirements.”

Testing and auditing systemsOn the critical issue of testing and auditing systems, Lindner is of the view that the “only way to really know is to try it. Use people with a track record in such things. They may be harder to get, but they are worth it. “ He also advises companies to follow their threat model and not exclude

components from third parties. “Once you know what you can rely on and what not, you have won half of the battle.”

With solutions, Lindner says the environment dictates everything. He elaborates, “There is no “one size fits all”. From areas ranging from automotive, aerospace to medical environments, there are specialised cryptography protocols and multiple secure fallback mechanisms with zero maintenance scenarios.”

Criticality of the issue and effective responsesCommenting on the critical nature of the problem, the industry’s response and the need for compliance standards, Daughtridge says, “A report from the conference on ‘Securing Space Assets for Peace and Future Conflict’ at the National Defense University in November 2011 stated: ‘There was a consensus among participants that an attack on space capabilities will almost certainly be preceded by a Cyber attack.’

The NIST advises all network-centered organisations to develop an overall cyber security risk management framework and has published recommendations for processes and compliance verification.”

Daughtridge adds, “One of the most important parts of an effective response is achieving better situational awareness across the network security infrastructure using a Security Event Information Manager (SIEM) that monitors and consolidates information across devices, including Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and firewalls. While used frequently in enterprise networks, they are far rarer in the satellite industry.” PRO

• Stuxnet: Using a highly specialised computer worm to delay the Iranian uranium enrichment programme

• Aurora: Using 0day attacks on client computers, attacking Google and several other Fortune100 companies over 1-2 years to extract their intellectual property

• RSA: Breaking the security of the most widely used and trusted one-time password token system in the world to break into US defense contractor networks

• HBGary Federal: Breaking into all relevant email accounts of a defense contracting consultancy and publishing the contents

• LulzSec hacktivism: Spending 50 days to break into Fox News, PBS, Nintendo, pron.com, the NHS, Infraguard, the US senate, Bethesda, Minecraft, League of Legends, Escapist magazine, EVE online, the CIA, The Times, The Sun

Information courtesy: Recurity Labs GmbH, Berlin

Top five recent hacking incidents

“Satcom professionals are not always current on the latest issues in IP or cyber security technologies because they have historically worked mostly within isolated Satcom-based networks”

stuart daughtridge, vice president of advanced technology, Kratos integral systems international

The proportion of security breaches caused by insiders21


SatVertical: Marine

What is your view of the recent volatility in prices in the marine Satcom sector?

Communications for the maritime industry have traditionally been very restrictive and pay-by-the-minute, for those trying to connect to the shore. But this model doesn’t work.

Today’s crew is historically used to high per minute costs on voice with little access to data, while the ship owners are under pressure to reduce overall costs but still maintain crew morale. So the new demand is for affordable, high-value voice and data services.

We believe in developing long standing relationships with our providers on smart solutions and stable competitive prices versus dictating their solutions, pricing and margins or causing gyrations in the market through up/down wholesale price moves that wreak havoc on contracts with customers and, therefore, eroding goodwill.

What market segment in the marine sector is the largest driver of revenue for your company?

We cater to vessels of all sizes, from private yachts and small fishing boats to large ocean-going merchant ships, to enjoy the benefits of broadband communications no matter where they are on the planet.

Iridium Pilot, for instance, can be provisioned based on the needs of the individual ship or boat. It can have from one to three voice lines and from as low as 16 kbps to as high as 134 kbps.

How have you approached the factor of affordability of services?We understand each customer has unique needs, so we have a variety of solutions to fit each size and budget. For example, there is increasing demand among ship owners for VSAT services, given their always-on, very high speed data connections and fixed monthly prices. We are working closely with major VSAT service providers to bundle Iridium Pilot with their solutions to offer low-cost broadband service plans, with global coverage, to their customers.

Will satellite capacity be a constraint going forward?We are not concerned with satellite capacity – our network was designed to handle about six times our current subscriber base and we are excited about our plans for our next-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT, which we’ve designed to be able to offer even more capacity and, of course, increased broadband speed capability. PRO

TOWARdS AffORdAbLE, HIGH-VALuE VOICE ANd dATA SERVICES

In conversation with Joel Thompson, vice

president, product management, Iridium

“Today’s crew is historically used to high per minute costs on voice with little access to data, while the ship owners are under pressure to reduce overall costs but still maintain crew morale. So the new demand is for affordable, high-value voice and data services”

Joel Thompson, VP, product management, iridium



The whitepaper by Temasys communications showcases an innovative pay-as-you-go video conferencing system using everyday desktops and mobile devices, including the public internet

VIdEO CONfERENCING AT REmOTE LOCATIONS: A NEw pARADIGm

For illustration purpose only

Temasys and emC successfully conducted a multinational video conference based on the Vidyo platform, using a satellite link to simulate access into geographically-remote locations. For this conference, four participants located in miami, Florida, hanoi, Vietnam and singapore used a variety of devices as end-points


In today’s global business environment, there are times when one or more of the parties needed for a video conference does not have

access to the public internet nor to a network capable of supporting access to multiple participants around the globe. Until now, the only solution to this situation was equipment intensive and prohibitively expensive.

To address this challenge, Temasys, a Vidyo service provider with a global network of servers teamed up with EMC, a provider of hybrid global satellite and terrestrial communications services. The new system is based on EMC’s HD Connect service, which is an on-demand, ‘pay as you go’ high definition (HD) video conferencing over satellite service,

Real-time testingTemasys and EMC successfully conducted a multinational Vidyo conference, using a satellite link to simulate access into geographically-remote locations. For this conference, four participants located in Miami, Florida, Hanoi, Vietnam and Singapore used a variety of devices as end-points. Participants in Miami and Hanoi used standard laptops. One Singapore participant used an iMac and one simply used a Smart Phone — an iPhone4. During the 30-minute conference, documents and presentations

were shared along with a simultaneous medical education video.

Bill Lewis, managing director of Temasys Communications, explained, “The routing of this call was chosen to optimise the quality of the experience. The EMC earth stations

used were located in Miami and Hawaii and were connected to one of EMC’s Pacific VSAT satellites. We used our Singapore data centre to authenticate the call and then used our California data centre to host the call. If any of the participants on the call had been located in Europe, we could have also connected our Amsterdam data centre into the network. Having a global network of Vidyo servers located in three major regions, backed by EMC’s industry-leading technology, allows us to offer a Video as a Service (VaaS) proposition.”

Tom Luketich, VP of strategic marketing for EMC, said, “This demonstration was

a remarkable illustration of the ability to bring high quality, affordable, rich video conference and visual collaboration experiences to participants located in some of the hardest-to-reach areas of the globe. The ability to allow participants to use virtually any desk top or mobile device to participate in the conference adds a level of flexibility that is increasingly important to today’s mobile workforce.”

Connecting multiple partiesA typical, legacy video conferencing network is shown in Figure 1. This network deploys proprietary end points connected by QoS or VPN network connectivity, to a proprietary Mutipoint Control Unit (MCU). These items of proprietary equipment are expensive and prohibit scalability, unless further proprietary units are purchased and network connectivity commands premium pricing.

The term “legacy” is used to denote old, equipment intensive, video conferencing technology based on standards such as H323 (as used by Polycom, Cisco Tandbeg, Radvision and Life Size), in comparison with new technologies based on H264 SVC (Scalable Video Codec) technologies Figure 1 - unconnected remote locations, legacy video conferencing technology and infrastructure

bill lewis, managing director, Temasys Communications

“The routing of this call was chosen to optimise the quality of the experience. The EMC earth stations used were located in Miami and Hawaii and were connected to one of EMC’s Pacific VSAT satellites. We used our Singapore data centre to authenticate the call and then used our California data centre to host the call”

The maximum bandwidth delivered by leOs128


from leading HD video conferencing application providers.

Historically, the challenges of extending video conferencing across international boundaries has been frustrated by cost of equipment and the cost of network connectivity; once remote locations are brought into the equation as video endpoints, the magnitude of the technical challenge and cost of connectivity are multiplied exponentially. Therefore, organisations generally choose to compromise the video call’s effectiveness, when including a remote location, by using an audio link. This is often the only means that is used to bring the remote location into a multi-party video conference.

This configuration also has severe limitations due to the inability to share data, documents, and images from the remote location in real time and sometimes the quality of the audio link is compromised by low quality telecommunications networks in outlying areas. In organisations where the video participation of all parties, remote or otherwise, is deemed critical, the choice of satellite communications has been considered. To understand the potential of using satellite communications for

video conferencing demands a broad understanding of the various service offerings and technologies.

Satellite communication: GEOS, MEOS and LEOSSatellite communication uses Geosynchronous Earth Orbiting Satellites (GEOS), Medium Earth Orbiting Satellites (MEOS), or Low Earth Orbiting Satellite (LEOS) technology.

GEOS provides services from stationary satellites positioned to provide global coverage at 35,000 plus kms above the earth, each satellite within a constellation providing overlapping coverage to encircle the globe. There are a large number of GEOS operators and users, ranging from, governments to military and commercial businesses, telecommunication organisations, global media and entertainment conglomerates, and scientific consortiums. It is estimated that there are some 300 GEOS in orbit.

MEOS and LEOS both provide services from constellations of orbiting satellites linked together and to earth stations to provide coverage across the globe. MEOS orbit at between 2000 and 35000 kms above the earth; and LEOS between 500 and 2000 km above earth.

GEOS service providers include a

number of organisations that provide bandwidth services which may connect the remote location to a (receiving) earth station and to the internet via a GEOS satellite. These organisations are contenders to provide internet which may facilitate video conferencing. Typical of such GEOS related organisations are Inmarsat and Emerging Market Communications (EMC).

MEOS operations will start in mid, 2013, from O3b, the world’s first MEOS consortium. While bandwidth availability has been indicated at speeds which may support video conferencing, the costs and business model has yet to be announced. O3b may be a viable contender to supply the bandwidth necessary to deliver video conferencing to and from remote locations. LEOS (for example, services provided by Iridium) may be discounted as a suitable channel for video conferencing due the limitations of bandwidth delivered by LEOS (maximum 128kbps).

Extending video conferencingTaking the conventional, legacy video

Figure 2 - singularly connected remote locations, connected to the legacy infrastructure

Tom luketich, VP of strategic marketing for emC

“The ability to allow participants to use virtually any desktop or mobile device to participate in the conference adds a level of flexibility that is increasingly important to today’s mobile workforce”



Figure 3 - Remote locations connected, without limitation to end points across the organisation

Taking the conventional, legacy video conferencing network and extending it to remote locations is possible via a satellite provider offering a VsAT2 connection

Historically, the challenges of extending video conferencing across international boundaries has been frustrated by cost of equipment and the cost of network connectivity; once remote locations are brought into the equation as video endpoints, the magnitude of the technical challenge and cost of connectivity are multiplied exponentially

estimated number of GeOs currently in orbit300

conferencing network and extending it to remote locations is possible via a satellite provider offering a VSAT2 connection. Such a configuration is shown in Figure 2 (previous page). In this example, specific and proprietary “end points”, which are

dedicated to video conferencing, are required at the remote locations.

‘Disruptive’ video conferencing technologyIn the past three years, Vidyo has reportedly brought a new “disruptive technology” into

the market and created a means by which high definition video conferencing can be delivered over the public internet using devices (end points) which are everyday items in the hands of employees of all levels and business executives of all types, wherever they may be – laptops, desktop computers, mobile devices (iPad), and Smart Phones. This same technology platform is extended to conference room systems and telepresence suites.

Using HD Connect from EMC, and a hosted Vidyo video conferencing solution from Temasys and accessing into one of the multiple Vidyo server banks located across the globe, an organisation can bring remote location users into a video conference, with full data, document and video sharing capability (Figure 3).

Commenting on the affordability of the system, Bill Lewis of Temasys Communications says, “Using the simple eight end point configuration as an example, the EMC-Temasys option reduces capital expenditure required by 80% and monthly recurring charges are reduced by 72%, compared to the legacy option (Figure 2). And, in addition to the financial savings, the possibility to expand scope and number of participating users can be achieved quickly and easily at minimal cost. If the number of participants rose from eight to 20, with a 50% rise in the satellite users, and a doubling of the numbers of other participants, dispersed globally, the monthly recurring cost would rise by a miserly $3500 per month.” PRO


SatTechnology

Narda’s 19” Remote Spectrum Analyser records I/Q data in time domain

Comtech integrates converter with VSAT antenna for marine sector

Narda Safety Test Solutions has added a scope option to its NRA range of remote spectrum analysers. This records the signal level continuously versus time and also makes the I/Q data available. A variant with LNB control is also available. This can be used to switch the low noise block converters (LNB) of satellite receiving antennae to the desired frequency range (low band/high band) and the appropriate polarisation (horizontal/vertical).

I/Q data recording and time analysisThe NRA-3000 and NRA-6000 analysers can continuously record signal characteristics versus time with the new “Scope and I/Q Data” option. The frequency resolution (RBW) can be set between 100 Hz and 32 MHz. The time resolution can be set down to 31.25 nanoseconds. The analysers also output “online” the raw data separated into its real (in-phase) and imaginary (quadrature) components. With the right external software, experts can extract practically any information from this I/Q data.

Comtech EF Data Corporation announced the successful integration of its LPOD Block Up Converter with C2SAT’s 2.4m C Stabilised VSAT Antenna. The integration will reportedly provide maritime users with satellite-based broadband communication solution for oceanic vessels in motion.

The LPOD Block Up Converters were engineered with thermal and mechanical packaging based on Comtech EF Data’s experience in outdoor RF transceivers. The LPOD

reportedly eliminates the traditional requirement for the modem to supply a DC power source and a 10 MHz reference to the BUCs and LNBs. The optional internal reference and LNB bias greatly simplify multi-carrier operation and provides cost-effective redundancy. The LPOD’s compact size and weight make it ideally suited for installations with limited mounting space.

The C2SAT 2.4m C is a 4-axes marine stabilised VSAT antenna compatible

with C-band satellites. The 4-axes antenna allows the RF equipment to move freely, maintaining an optimal position towards the satellite without large and sudden movements, even during harsh conditions and heavy seas.

Space Systems/Loral to demonstrate potential of lasercom

Cisco adds IP multiplexing to mobile satellite package

Space Systems/Loral, is teaming with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre to host a laser communications relay demonstration (LCRD) on a commercial satellite to be launched in 2016. NASA’s Space Technology Programme selected Goddard’s mission proposal to use the SS/L satellite platform to help enable the next era of space communications.

For commercial satellites, lasercom could provide data at rates that are faster than today’s RF rates.

VoIP via satellite links can have bandwidth issues, but Cisco is introducing an IP multiplexing technology for its Cisco Mobile Ready Net package that reportedly improves the number of IP-based calls on a satellite link.

The IP mux feature has been added as an update to the operating system used in the 5915 ESR and the 5940 ESR, called the IOS GC train, v. 15.2(2). The advantage of this muxing link optimisation feature is it can deliver up to a 20 to 1 increase in calls.

Tests are reportedly showing that the CPU usage in the Cisco ESR routers is greatly improved as well.

www.narda-nra.com

www.cisco.com

www.ssloral.com

www.comtechefdata.com

April 2012 | SatellitePro | 41

High density satellite-to-IP gateway from IDC

XtremeSat from Clear Channel Satellite

International Datacasting Corporation (IDC) has launched the new Digital Tattoo suite of products designed to enable direct-to-home (DTH) satellite operators to offer IPTV services.

The IDC Digital Tattoo portfolio enables DTH satellite operators to expand their customer base for existing services, and to extend the range of services they offer, by

providing cost-effective, Ethernet-based content distribution within Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs), including apartment buildings, hotels, campuses and gated communities.

The Tatoo Gateway is a high density, multi-transponder satellite-to-IP converter designed specifically for the MDU market. A single rack unit Tattoo Gateway can process

up to eight transponders of satellite content and convert it to Gigabit Ethernet for distribution within the MDU.

Tattoo Gateway is Conditional Access (CA) transparent, allowing DTH operators to keep their content encrypted all the way to the subscriber’s Set Top Box (STB)

Numerex launches secure M2M interactive platform

EM research develops new phase-locked oscillator

Numerex Corp, a single source provider of secure machine-to-machine (M2M) products and services, launched its M2M interactive platform. The new capabilities – including web services application programme interfaces, website integration, and integrated smartphone applications - are part of the highly configurable, intelligent, cloud-based Platform as a Service (PaaS) that supports interactive data, location, and messaging services.

Designed as an advanced replacement for outdated SCPC audio systems serving the broadcast industry; the new XtremeSat Media Content Receivers (MCR) reportedly have all of the features a radio syndicator needs.

The MCR-100 Series comes with a stereo analogue output and an AES/EBU output (balanced, high quality audio on XLR connectors). The unit features eight tightly audio-synchronised relays, two AAC formats (and several MPEG choices), and the ability to seamlessly transition from SCPC (single channel) to MCPC (multiple channels) as the

network expands.The MCR-200 Series receivers include on-

board SD (Pro) memory that gives affiliates DVR-like functions for playback of recorded programming and/or automatic insertion of regionalised spots. The system is equipped for DVB-S/S2, web-management and a highly developed network management system. There are no moving parts in the receivers and due to their energy efficiency, no fan is needed.

Satellite technology manufacturer EM Research has developed its new ESP-11000 phase-locked oscillator that operates at 11,000 MHz and features low-phase noise reduction.

EM Research manufactures standard and custom-designed frequency sources for commercial and military systems. The company specialises in miniature surface-mount, modular, and connectorised phase-locked oscillators and frequency synthesisers.

www.numerex.com

www.emresearch.comwww.clearchannelsatellite.com

www.datacast.com


SatEvents

Eurosatory 2012

ANGA Cable Show

Eurosatory, the international “Land Security & Defence” exhibition, will be held from 11 to 15 June 2012 at the Paris-Nord-Villepinte exhibition centre. Eurosatory reportedly offers a unique opportunity for one week as professional visitors from 130 countries meet defence and security experts from all over the world.

Eurosatory, according to the organisers, ranks as a worldwide focal point for technology and innovation, as is demonstrated by the 350 new defence and security products and systems unveiled at the previous edition. Live demonstrations provide dynamic presentations of vehicle and system performance. For its 2012 edition, Eurosatory is continuing flight demonstrations of drones and offers a specific evolution arena for the small-drones.

At a glance:Dates: 11 - 15 June 2012Venue: Paris Norde Villepinte Exhibition CentreRegistration: www.eurosatory.com

Global Aerospace Summit addresses topical issues on satellite missions

While the recently concluded summit, held in Abu Dhabi, addressed aviation-related issues, key strategy sessions focused on the satellite industry.

The debate around the future of commercial space launches pitted the new ‘kids on the block’, SpaceX and XCOR against the established players in the launch business. Small satellites, hosted payloads and reusability, among other issues, were discussed.

This was followed by sessions on the need for regulations and on the significance of satellites for emerging economies. The inaugural Global Aerospace

Summit concluded with a panel discussion of ‘Commercial Space Business: a new era’ featuring Khalid al Melhi, CEO, Bayanat; Jean-Yves Le Gall, Chairman & CEO, Arianespace; John Sloan, International Program Lead, FAA; George Whitesides, CEO, Virgin Galactic; Andrew Nelson, COO, XCOR; and Dr Matt Perkins, CEO, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.

One of the highlights of the summit was the special presentation made by HE Abdul Nasser El Hakim, Curacao’s minister for economic development on the spaceport being constructed on his Caribbean island and the impending prospect of space tourism.

ANGA Cable Show, reportedly Europe’s leading business platform for broadband and content will start with a record 440 exhibitors, on 12 June 2012. Key topics of the event are Smart TV, hybrid networks, Video on Demand, IPTV and Connected Home. Accordingly, this year’s motto is “Where Broadband meets Content“.

The highlight of the international track is the new “International Technology Summit“ on the second day of the event. CEOs and CTOs will discuss strategies and technologies for the “Connected Home“.

At a glance: Dates: 12 - 14 June 2012Venue: Cologne Fair Grounds, Cologne, GermanyRegistration: www.angacable.com

Panel discussion on the future of commercial launch services

inaugural summit

hh sheikh Ahmed bin saeed Al maktoum. chairman and chief executive, emirates Airline & Group, at the summit


CommunicAsia2012: highlighting emerging trends

SatCom Africa 2012SatCom Africa is reportedly the largest satellite communication conference and exhibition focusing specifically on the needs of the African continent. It brings together end-users and suppliers of satellite technology to find cost effective and reliable communication solutions. SatCom Africa, according to the organisers, provides a platform where new revenue streams can be explored, key technologies can be evaluated, and operators and developers can gain valuable insight into implementing successful business models.

At a glance:Dates: 21 - 24 May 2012, Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South AfricaRegistration: www.terrapinn.com

CommunicAsia2012 will, as per the organisers, feature breakthrough developments in NextGen Networks and satellite technology, as well as provide a sneak peek into the latest market-ready devices and mobile apps and solutions and dynamic industry deals set to alter ICT in Asia and beyond.

Leading returning exhibitors include Falcon Interactive, FiberHome, Globecast, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Irdeto, Netop Technology, PCCW Global, Prysmian, Rosenberger, ST Electronics, Tektronix and Tata Communications; new participants include Anritsu, Aver Information, Hitachi Critical Facilities Protection and Novelsat.

At a glance:Date: 19 - 22 June 2012 Venue: Basement 2, Levels 1, 3, 4 & 5Marina Bay Sands Singapore Registration: www.communicasia.com

VSAT 2012 ConferenceVSAT2012, to be held in September 2012, considers a VSAT industry in the midst of major changes.

Those VSAT operators still reliant on the provision of broadband connectivity only, are in for a rough ride, but some have already begun the transition, even complete transformation, of their business strategy to a high value, specialised, focused solutions-based approach.

The COMSYS VSAT Conference is reportedly where the pivotal players in the VSAT industry came together. Delegates and speakers from 42 different countries attended VSAT2011.

Some of the market’s leading innovators, both from a service and user perspective, will deliver their views on the future needs of customers and the likely development of new applications and platforms. Key figures will talk about the practical aspects of providing global and regional services addressing subjects from technology enablers to regulatory access. Key issues to be addressed at VSAT2012 include:• Ka-band and the new business models that need to be considered by both spacecraft and VSAT operator. • Commercial maritime operator changes,

threats and opportunities. • Business continuity in a

hybrid DSL/VSAT configuration and how a retail user leverages the attributes and extracts value.

• Managing an ocean of bandwidth beam by beam, just how will commitments, QoS and load be shared across

multiple spot-beams? • Mobile VSAT services, where

are the opportunities and how much demand is there?

• GSM backhaul moves up in site count and down in bandwidth as mobile operators move towards the next level down in the pyramid of rural opportunity.

• Consumer market opportunities in all regions of the world, how VSAT is performing, how platforms are developing and how strategies are evolving.

• Fibre threats to VSAT, what are the market trends?

• How value added businesses can be built in a world of plentiful bandwidth.

At a glance:Dates: 11 – 14 September 2012Venue: Lancaster Hotel, LondonRegistration: www.comsys.co.uk

Artistic rendition of hughes’ Jupiter satellite

Keynote address by Pradman Kaul, hughes, CeO, usA


SatGuest

CuRACAO: THE CARIbbEAN ROuTE TO SPACEAbout 60 tickets, costing $99,000 (AED 330,588) per head, have already been sold for the inaugural flight. Abdul Nasser El Hakim, the country’s minister of economic development visited UAE’s capital city, Abu Dhabi to spread the space dream

“We’ve always admired Yuri Gagarin and Louis Armstrong,” said HE Abdul Nasser El

Hakim, Curacao’s Minister of Economic Development evoking the magic of space travel as he described the unique venture his tiny Caribbean island has undertaken. “This will be the first commercial space travel out of the USA. I admit space tourism is a niche market – the notion that commercial space travel will allow you to circle the earth in just 1.5 hours – sounds incredible. I can only think of the emergence of the internet as an analogy, when most people had not realised its full potential.”

The country has partnered with KLM, the Dutch airline, to sponsor the launch. XCOR, a space-flight company based in California, has developed the space plane that will be used for the suborbital launch.

The captivating dream of experiencing zero gravity and watching a sliver of our planet notwithstanding, the construction of a spaceport in the country is hoped to spur development of industries including medical research and educational tourism.

The minister said, “Our space plane is not only for tourism, but a complete pillar of our knowledge economy. We are creating a cluster of excellence where research can be conducted in biotechnology, upper atmosphere and so on. We will also be promoting educational tourism. Our airport city development is supported by the government and is being constructed at a value of $1.8 billion. This will be a 100% green and self-sufficient airport. Moreover commercial projects will enjoy tax holidays and other concessions.”

The minister said that they are addressing the significant challenge of developing laws and regulations to govern commercial

spaceflight,”This industry doesn’t have 100 years of aviation as a historical base,” he said.

The US federal aviation administration estimates the space tourism industry will grow to $1 billion during the next 10 years. While other cities including Abu Dhabi are being touted as centres for space tourism, the minister believes the idyllic Caribbean island, with a year-round sunny weather and

an annual rainfall of only 22 inches, has more to offer the well-heeled space tourist. PRO

“Space tourism is a niche market – the notion that commercial space travel will allow you to circle the earth in just 1.5 hours – sounds incredible”

he Abdul Nasser el hakim, minister of economic development, Curacao

During suborbital spaceflight passengers will be launched in a specially developed flight system to a minimum height of 100 kms above the surface of the Earth.

During the spaceflight, several minutes of weightlessness will be experienced and the curvature of the earth with its thin layer of atmosphere will be visible.

What you will experience

FGC will assess your Satcom requirements, whether you’re

building a new facility, expanding a current one, relocating to an

existing building, or just revamping the existing facility. We’ll discuss with you

all of your options and help you finalise your requirements. We’ll guide you

as you upgrade your network to achieve faster, more secure and cost-effective results.

FGC offers the most advanced and reliable solutions on the market. Our satellite-based broadcast solutions are being deployed by leading DTH platform providers to deliver a vast array of DTH services across the Gulf region. The modulators that we deliver demonstrate optimal performance in both DVB-S and DVB-S2, also enabling HDTV services at a cost widely accepted by the industry.

We believe that TV has a bright future – and with good reason. The global market for ‘anytime, anywhere’ media consumption has only just begun – and the visual medium is at the heart of an increasingly personalised consumer experience.

As we move away from one-way, single-screen viewing into an interactive, multiscreen environment, the need for multiple architectures, platforms and processes gains clarity. So do the benefits of streamlining technology, expertise, and consumer and business insights that allow you to focus on the bigger picture.

A complete TV solution, strategic collaboration, unmatched insights and adaptable pricing models support a new vision of multimedia. It brings our unique range of cross-segment expertise – combined with award-winning technology and solutions – to help you thrive in this new business landscape.

www.fgcltd.com

P.O.Box 25560, Riyadh 11476, Saudi Arabia Tel: +966 1 219 0888, Fax: +966 1 219 1888Email: [email protected]

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