May/June | Volume 5 | Issue 3

REGULARS

1 Editorial

New beginnings.

4 Satellite news

A round-up of the latest news.

12 Spotbeams

Satellite broadband services experience dynamic growth in 2006; Consolidated revenue up 28 percent; SES reports strong earnings in first quarter.

FEATURES

20 The secret satellite

In this age of technology, security has taken on a different meaning. Helen Jameson investigates what encryption actually is, why it is so important and new developments that have been made.

26 Compact and lightweight systems

GigaSat is a UK-based company specialising in portable satellite systems. Helen Jameson talks to Chris Lay, founder and Managing Director of the company, about its products and the future.

28 The communications network you can take anywhere

Satellite communications equipment has come a very long way since the first satellite antennas were built. Once large, clumsy and incredibly heavy, operation was often complex and had to be carried out by a qualified technician. Nowadays, the change in the size, weight and portability of satellite equipment is dramatic and means that it may be shifted from place to place efficiently and cheaply. Satellite Evolution EMEA reports.

30 Good things come in small packages

The VSAT has seen increased use over the past ten years and different sectors of industry and government are realising its potential. But is it really a ‘killer’ application? Satellite Evolution EMEA looks for an answer.

34 Sea Launch’s mission recovery

On January 30, a launch failure resulted in the unsuccessful lift-off of the SES New Skies NSS-8 satellite from the Sea Launch Odyssey platform. The platform sustained damage, but was able to sail back to port for investigation and repairs.

38 Performance is key

In October 2006, Space Transport Inc., a privately held corporation, acquired Lockheed Martin's shares in LKEI and ILS. Continuing to use the brand of ILS, the company now provides commercial launch services only on Proton, with exclusive rights to market Khrunichev's Angara next-generation vehicle when it becomes available. Satellite Evolution EMEA talks to Frank McKenna, President of ILS.

42 The new space race

For the majority of us, the thought of taking a trip into space is still well and truly science fiction. However, if you have the money available, a visit to the final frontier is absolutely possible. Helen Jameson explores how what was once science fiction is now rapidly becoming science fact.

46 Space experiences

Over the next decade Space Adventures will fly more people to space than have made the journey since the dawn of the Space Age. Helen Jameson talks to Stacey Tearne, Vice President of Communications, Space Adventures, about what the company is trying to achieve.

50 A look at the latest titles

Mark Williamson, independent space technology consultant, reviews books of interest to the space professional.