Inmarsat space initiative

A joint government and industry initiative that aims to shape the future success of the UK space industry was launched at Inmarsat's headquarters in London (25 June).
An expert group, the Space Innovation Growth Team (IGT), has been formed from among the UK's leading companies, institutions and government departments involved in the sector to conduct an ambitious six-month review.
The Space IGT was unveiled at a joint event held at Inmarsat's HQ by UK science minister Lord Drayson, IGT chairman and chief executive of Logica Andy Green, and Inmarsat chief operating officer Perry Melton.

Initial report
The group is tasked with creating a 20-year strategy for the industry - and has until the end of 2009 to prepare an initial report for the UK government outlining the steps needed to build Britain's leadership in space.
It will seek views from the entire space industry, and industries such as entertainment, navigation and climate change that rely on space technology. It will set out the challenges and opportunities that govern future value creation, competitiveness and growth in the space sector.
The Space IGT will draw on leadership experience from some of Britain's top space companies, including Inmarsat. It will identify the future innovation, technology and investment priorities for the sector and other enablers of growth.

Source: Inmarsat

Career path
The group will also seek to create a "space aware" culture in the UK, with a space career path being defined for students wishing to enter the sector.
And it will consider how to ensure that government policy is better aligned to meet the future needs of the industry.

Lord Drayson said: "The space industry makes a significant contribution to our economy and we need to make sure that we do all we can to ensure it remains globally competitive.
"Space inspires our young people to get involved with science and the strategy will look at how to make our society more space aware and how to help the next generation of engineers, scientists and even lawyers to get involved in space."

Double-digit growth
Andy Green added: "Space is one of the few sectors in the UK economy that is enjoying almost double-digit growth and has the potential to do so for decades to come.
"We will set out ways to help the sector on its upwards trajectory, by ensuring that Britain has the necessary skills and policy framework, and a climate that fosters innovation."
Inmarsat's chief operating officer, Perry Melton, said: "Inmarsat is about to celebrate its 30th birthday. We started out as an intergovernmental organisation and now we are among the top FTSE 100 companies.

Talent pool
"In the course of that time, the investment in the UK and European space industries has been fundamental for our business."
Perry recounted how, 20 years ago, Inmarsat's owners considered moving to another country.
"The decision to stay here in the UK was driven by the talent pool in the UK and Europe, as well as the wide supplier base, including consultancy, satellite manufacturers and ground infrastructure manufacturers," he said.
"They provided the foundation for Inmarsat's decision to stay in the UK long term -because of the weight of the British space industry."

Iridium 9555 Gets Favourable Review

While on travel recently, Group Editor-in-Chief, Rich Tehrani of TMC.Net puts the Iridium 9555 satellite phone through its paces and gives it a favourable review.

Iridium 9555 Review

Having never had a chance to write a review about a satellite phone I was pretty motivated to respond yes to the good people at Iridium when they asked if I wanted to run their newest device the 9555 phone through its paces. In order to do a thorough review I took it with me on my travels and made calls in various places where there was typically no cell coverage.

The device itself won't get mistaken for an iPhone - it is many times thicker and has a smaller black and white screen. But what it does do better than any gadget you might read about on popular gadget sites is work everywhere - except indoors. It is a bulletproof device which was designed with users in mind. Iridium execs explain that reliability is key with this phone and so is durability.

It seems like it is made of the same material as the black box on an airplane.
It is also interesting to note that when a company is sure about their market they can really cater to it. The evidence is the company's terminology in their brochure: THE ULTIMATE SATELLITE PHONE.

The Iridium 9555 is the ultimate in dependable mobile communications. It is a ruggedly built tool, not a toy. It won't play games, take pictures, or play MP3s. What it will do is work. Everywhere. Without exception. Small, sleek and easy to use, it is waterproof and dust and shock resistant. Engineered to withstand the world's toughest environments, Iridium phones have never been more efficient, reliable and effective.

When you open the box the phone comes in you are presented with adapters for every country in the world and just trying to figure out which would work in Sardinia presented me with a challenge. Hint - it was of the two-prong variety.

Source: TMCnet

So is it easy to use? Dead easy, yes. I was impressed with the call quality and it even worked when I went indoors - as long as there wasn't a lot of steel over my head. There is also data modem connectivity I didn't get a chance to try.
Other than that there are the standard mobile phone features like SMS, voicemail, address books, etc.
As you might expect, Iridium hasn't launched an app store but one wonders if there isn't an opportunity for specialized applications pertaining to the markets they cater to such as military, oil and gas, etc.

If I had to ask for more features, a camera would be high on my list as sending MMS messages from remote locations back to the home office could be useful. Video too is another area the company will have to deal with eventually as there may be an opportunity to stream video or send clips in places only this device has connectivity.

Other than that, the Iridium 9555 just plain works. It's looks won't make you the envy of the patrons of your favorite bar or dance club but you will certainly be the popular one later that evening when the party moves to a place with poor or no cell phone reception.

The opinions and views expressed in comments, blogs, etc. are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of TMC, TMCnet, or its editors.

Source: TMCnet

Calls from the wild

This week, the Financial Times ran an excellent review of the Iridium 9555. The conclusion is that the 9555 is “without a doubt the best” satellite phone the reporter has ever used. He touts the improved capabilities and size and recognizes the importance of communication in remote areas of the world.

Financial Times
4.16.09
Paul Taylor

One of the most reliable mobile phones I ever owned was a Kyocera handset that seemed able to pluck a wireless signal out of the proverbial “thin air” and survived years of use and misuse until my youngest daughter managed to crack its miniscule screen.
The downside of that era, in which form often trumped function, was that the Kyocera was an ugly beast. Shaped like a jumbo Mars bar, it was more likely to elicit hoots of laughter than admiring glances from passers-by.
A decade later, the Iridium 9555, the latest satellite phone, is also unlikely to win any beauty shows. But it represents a leap forward both in capability and size. The 9555 is about 30 per cent smaller and 27 per cent lighter than its predecessor, the 9505a. It measures 143mm in length by 55mm in width, has a depth of 30mm and weighs 266g.

Like other Iridium handsets, the 9555, which costs about $1,600 with accessories, is designed to work with Iridium’s network of 66 Leo (low Earth orbit) satellites that enable users, including geologists, explorers, rescue workers and business travellers to remote areas, to make voice or data calls from virtually anywhere on Earth. (Calls cost between about $1 and $2 a minute, depending on the service plan.)
If you need a versatile satellite phone and can justify the rather steep initial cost, the Iridium 9555 is without doubt the best device I have used
While the 9555’s rugged handset is designed for tough environments, the phone will also appeal to general users and includes a number of significant improvements, among them a bigger, brighter display and an antenna that retracts into the handset body rather than rotating and swinging upward to a vertical position.
The 9555 also delivers improved audio quality, an integrated speakerphone, better SMS and e-mail messaging capabilities, and an upgraded mini USB data port, which, together with new software, makes data communications and internet access easier. Although data transmission speed is still rather slow at 9,600 baud (a measure of data transmission rates), it is acceptable for e-mail and basic web browsing when there is no other available service.
The design of the Iridium system also makes it highly secure – perhaps one of the reasons why use is restricted in some countries. I found the 9555 as easy to use as a standard mobile phone, and coverage is good, even in areas where ordinary cellular handsets do not work, provided you are outside and have a clear line of sight to the sky.
The only difficulty I encountered was installing the USB driver software needed to use the handset as a modem, which took longer than it should have.
Overall, if you need a versatile satellite phone and can justify the rather steep initial cost, the Iridium 9555 is without doubt the best device I have used.

Streambox and Matrox Partner

Below is a press release on the Streambox. Streambox provides a single software-based platform for live and file-based video transport and acquisition over IP. The platform comprises clients - from small form factor mobile devices and laptops - to rule-based video management and play-out systems. The scalable end-to-end Streambox solutions can be integrated into all IP centric broadcast and broadband operations. The streambox is very much used in combination with our BGAN units.

SEATTLE — Mar. 26, 2009 —Streambox, Inc. today announced a partnership with Matrox, an industry-leading provider in the field of HD and SD digital video hardware and software for realtime editing, audio/video input/output, capture/playout servers, clip/still stores, and CGs. Streambox and Matrox have integrated Matrox’s MX02 SDI device with the Streambox® ACT-L3™ Software Encoder to enable SDI-based video capture and streaming for Mac OS laptops running Streambox encoding software.

The Streambox® ACT-L3™ Software Encoder enables mobile reporters to gather, edit, and stream high-quality video over low-data-rate IP connections – making it a powerful solution for newsgathering from a variety of locations. Until now, mobile reporters were limited by their laptops to ingesting only digital video via a FireWire connection. With the addition of the portable MX02 unit, the laptop encoder can ingest SDI video, resulting in much higher picture quality. This helps news organizations differentiate themselves from competitors as they provide higher quality breaking news video to viewers

Source: Streambox


“We are pleased to be working with Streambox to offer an even broader set of capabilities to our customers,” said Francesco Scartozzi, Matrox’s director of sales for the Americas. “The integration with the Streambox® ACT-L3™ Software Encoder has opened up a new market opportunity for the MX02 to be used in newsgathering applications.”

“When covering breaking news, broadcasters need to first and foremost be able to transmit the video quickly and reliably over a variety of low cost, low data rate connections,” said Bob Hildeman, chairman and CEO of Streambox. “With the new Streambox-MX02 SDI solution, broadcasters will be able to outshine competitors capturing DV and soon the joint capabilities will enable broadcasters to do HD-SDI capture for mobile newsgathering”

As a Matrox OEM, Streambox will be selling the MX02 with Streambox® ACT-L3™ Software Encoders as a complete solution for SDI-based video streaming. The solution is currently available for Mac OS laptops and Windows drivers will be offered soon. More information about the Streambox® ACT-L3™ Software Encoder and other Streambox products and solutions is available online at www.streambox.com.

Thuraya sponsors Everest Challenge

Thuraya recently sponsored renowned adventurer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, on his Everest Challenge 2008 which sought to raise 3 million British pounds for the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity. As key communications sponsor, Thuraya provided the communications equipment and logistical support as he sought to conquer the world’s greatest mountain, Mount Everest.…”
Source: Everest Challenge, Thuraya


"
renowned adventurer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, on his Everest Challenge 2008 which sought to raise 3 million British pounds for the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity. As key communications sponsor, Thuraya provided the communications equipment and logistical support as he sought to conquer the world’s greatest mountain, Mount Everest.

Over his 63 years, Sir Ranulph has built up an extraordinary CV as one of the world’s great adventurers. At the forefront of major expeditions since 1969, he was the first man to visit both the North and South Poles by land and the first to cross the Antarctic on foot. The Transglobe Expedition saw Fiennes spending three years, from 1979 to 1982, circumnavigating the globe along a line of latitude that passes through both poles. In more recent years, he has run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, and scaled the north face of the Eiger. His expeditions have raised more than £10m for charity.

Although he was not able to make it to the summit after turning back due to exhaustion, the Everest Challenge still managed to £1.73 million so far and Sir Ranulph is calling for people to keep on donating to reach the target. "So as long as we reach our target of £3 million for Marie Curie I will be happy,” he said.

Source: Everest Challenge, Thuraya

Sky News uses BGan

"Sky News has been involved in remote newsgathering for some time now, but until recently its ability to cover breaking news was limited by the amount of equipment required to transmit video and audio from the field and by the quality of the images."
Anthony Glass, chairman of Satellite Communications (SatComm), the local Streambox distributor, said a number of Southern African broadcasters are already using the same Streambox/BGan for news gathering.
“The transport and setup of Sky News‘ old system compromised the agility of field crews and didn’t offer the picture quality that Sky felt was necessary even for embedded reporting,” he says.
Bevan Gibson, head of Future Technology for Sky News (BSkyB) based in London, says: “We now frequently hear from crews how much easier the integrated Streambox systems are to use than our previous solution, and have found that everyone – from engineers to camera operators to directors, producers and reporters – have learned quickly how to get the systems up and running.”
Source: IT-Online

“The Streambox has provided much greater flexibility in our remote newsgathering activities. We can work with smaller crews and less equipment, which in turn enables us to respond quickly as a story breaks.”
Now a two-person first response team can get live video back to our headquarters earlier than ever before, and depending on the location and gravity of the story, we can send a follow-up team for support. Not so long ago, it was prohibitive, cost-wise and logistically, to capture and send high-quality images from some of the areas we’ve covered lately.
“To increase the depth and quality of our breaking news coverage, we replaced this technology with an integrated solution that facilitates transmission of video via Inmarsat’s BGAN satellite network or over available – and typically very affordable – IP networks such as DSL, local Wi-Fi hotspots or hotel Internet connections instead of other expensive networks,” says Gibson.
“With less gear weighing down our field crews, we have been able to put together special weeks of coverage from Iraq, the Caribbean and Iceland. In the past, with a less versatile solution, we simply wouldn’t have sent out a team to do that kind of live coverage.”
“The system stands up well to rain, snow and sun, and its flexibility in accepting a variety of inputs has been extremely valuable. The portable encoder, the size of a laptop, is used for both realtime video transmission and for sending news segments edited on location.”
“The newsgathering solution consists of a BGAN terminal, similar to a notebook computer, and a compact Streambox portable encoder. Transmission of video and audio simply requires the camera to be connected to the encoder, which in turn is connected directly to the BGAN terminal.”
“Sky News selected the Streambox because when tested it demonstrated that it provides superior quality and performance at low data rates. Features such as forward error correction and burst error correction – which mitigate packet loss – ensure excellent video quality and reliable transmission over satellite and IP-based networks,” says Gibson.
“Furthermore, the complete Streambox newsgathering solution is the only product we found capable of providing an end-to-end solution – encoding, IFB server and client, distribution, and decoding – that covers all of our bases when we want to run live broadcasts via broadband.”

Test your Satellite Phone

The below information is taken from an article about the "Test your satellite phone week" which we ran last year May 2008.

“We recommend Iridium Satellite for encouraging satellite phone users to regularly test their satellite phones to ensure that they are ready to make that critical call during a disaster,” said Anthony Glass, chairman of SatComm.
“Too often, customers turn on their satellite phone when a disaster strikes to find they do not know how to use it properly, the batteries are not charged, or the phone won’t connect.” “Taking precautions like testing your satellite phone can help save lives and property and we’re happy to support this initiative by encouraging users to take heed,” said Glass “Iridium and SatComm hope to raise awareness of the importance of testing your satellite phone on a regular basis.”

The “Test Your Satellite Phone” Week initiative was launched last year as a public service campaign to educate all satellite phone users about the importance of knowing how to use their phone and knowing that the phone is ready to connect when used. This has become increasingly more important as other mobile satellite phone providers have seen a drop in reliability and connection rates. Independent testing has verified that Iridium’s first-time connection rate is better than 99 percent.

The “Test Your Satellite Phone” Week campaign asks all satellite phone owners to call a special number – 00-1-480-752-5105 – to test their satellite phones. Callers will hear a recorded message confirming that their call was completed and offering quick tips on proper handset usage. Iridium customers are not charged for air time on their satellite phone when calling this number. If customers find that their phones are not operational through this process, they should call SatComm for trouble-shooting.
“Routine testing of emergency equipment, including satellite phones is critical to any emergency preparedness planning,” said Iridium board member Tom Ridge, the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and a two-term governor of Pennsylvania. “No phone is going to be effective unless users know how to operate it and the batteries are charged.”
“Satellite phones have increasingly become the primary or backup communications tools during a disaster when cellular infrastructure and radio towers are down,” said Matt Desch, chairman and CEO, Iridium Satellite. Tips and techniques available for satellite phone use and testing are included, such as:
• Test your phone on a monthly basis.
• Keep your phone’s battery charged to ensure that it is ready for use
when needed.
• For maximum battery performance, allow the battery to power down
completely before fully re-charging.
• Check to make sure that the phone’s SIM card is locked in place.
Users can check this by removing the battery and ensuring that the SIM card
tray is securely positioned.
• Use the phone outside with a clear view of the sky and the horizon.
• Turn the phone on and ensure that the antenna is extended and
rotated upward.
• To test your satellite phone, call 00-1-480-752-5105. The dialling
sequence is very similar to dialling an international phone call. Dial 00, then
country code, and then the phone number, or press the 0 key until a “+”
appears, dial the country code, and then the phone number.
• To hang up a call, press the red “C” button.