In about two years, the high-power satellites will begin sending approximately 50 channels of high-quality digital radio programming to fixed, mobile and portable radios across the contiguous United States. The contract calls for Hughes to deliver the satellites in geosynchronous orbit in April and August 2000, respectively. AMRC has an option for a third satellite. Launch vehicles will be announced later. Alcatel Espace of Toulouse, France, will provide the high-power, S-band, Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) payload.

"Mobile radio service is an exciting new application of satellite technology, and one for which the HS 702 is ideally suited," said HSCI Chairman Donald L. Cromer. "These satellites will have 9.5 kilowatts of power to ensure the clearest, strongest signals to drivers no matter where in the continental U.S. they might be."

Hughes introduced the HS 702 in 1995 in response to customer requests for satellites with as much as 15 kilowatts of power and flexible payload capacity, that could be delivered in minimum time and be launched on a variety of vehicles. AMRC's contract brings to five the number of HS 702s ordered, with the first three going to PanAmSat Corporation. The first HS 702 will be launched in the fourth quarter of this year.

Hughes incorporated a number of technological advances into the HS 702 series. To generate such high power, the two solar wings employ high-efficiency, dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells. Depending on the frequency bands desired, the payload can be configured with on-board digital signal processing or as many as 90 active transponders. To provide 15 years' service, the HS 702 carries Hughes' flight-proven xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS) for all on-orbit maneuvering. The satellites will be built in the Los Angeles-area factory of Hughes Space and Communications Company.

AMRC is one of only two companies licensed in the United States to provide Digital Audio Radio Service. AMRC is a privately held company owned by American Mobile Satellite and WorldSpace Inc., both high-technology telecommunications companies headquartered in the Washington area. American Mobile Satellite is the only company currently providing L-band voice and data mobile satellite services in the United States. WorldSpace is an investor in WorldSpace International, the leading international satellite digital radio company scheduled to initiate service to Africa, Latin America and Asia beginning this year.

Alcatel Espace's chairman and CEO, Jean-Claude Husson, said: "Alcatel is proud to contribute to the development of the U.S. DARS system for AMRC. We are enthusiastic about our new partnership with HSCI and their confidence in Alcatel payloads. This powerful payload, designed, manufactured and tested in our plant at Toulouse, France, will benefit from our experience gained through the ongoing contract with WorldSpace, to implement the first global digital audio broadcasting satellite system by the year 2000."

Alcatel designs, manufactures and markets complete telecommunications systems. Activities include fixed switching networks, transmission systems, access systems, mobile communications infrastructure, business networking and submarine cable networks, as well as radio communications, space and defense systems. With operations in over 130 countries, Alcatel is a leading-edge supplier in the majority of its business. In 1997, the Telecom segment of Alcatel Alsthom registered total sales of more than 83 billion French francs.

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Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005
The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India.