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SAT-MidEast 98.08.21




WELCOME TO SAT-MIDEAST !
A news release from Cairo, Egypt, located at 31.15 East - 30.3 North,
_____________________________________________________________________
WHAT YOU'LL FIND HERE:
- Events and News interesting to the Middle Eastern SAT-viewer
- Satellite and Transponder Observations in C- and Ku-Band,
- Everything commented from the Middle Eastern perspective
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WHERE TO GET MORE INFORMATION:
- SAT-MidEast maintains a web site with relevant Middle Eastern
- satellite information, and a regular updated, satellite based,
- archive of observations, features & news for the Middle East. 

- SAT-MidEast: http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hall/2878
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Send relevant info's, interesting news, and creative comments to :

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MAIDEN FLIGHT OF DELTA 3
------------------------
The first Delta 3 launch is scheduled for August 24. The launch window is
01:47-02:52 CET.  It will deliver to orbit the Galaxy 10 satellite built by
Hughes Space and Communications Company for the Panamsat Corporation. 

Satellite dish owners in Western Europe can see a live feed of this launch
on PAS-5, transponder 7C, channel 6, at 58 West. 

Galaxy 10 is the first satellite to be launched on a Delta 3 rocket and is
the 45th satellite to be delivered in orbit on a rocket procured by Hughes
on behalf of its customers. The satellite is an HS 601HP ("high power")
spacecraft, featuring 24 C-band transponders and 24 Ku-band transponders
that will provide broadcast and telecommunications service to all 50 U.S.
states and the Caribbean from 123 degrees West.

The new Delta 3 uses existing components and infrastructure similar to that
used with the Delta 2 launch vehicle, but can boost twice the payload into
orbit. Featuring a larger fairing to house bigger payloads and a new
single-engine cryogenic upper stage, the Delta 3 rocket can place more than
3,818 kg of payload into geosynchronous orbit.

The Delta 3 gains its extra lift capability from nine enhanced solid rocket
boosters strapped to the base of the rocket, which will increase its thrust
by 25 percent. It also has a powerful new second stage to provide the
additional power to deliver satellite cargos into their proper orbits 22,500
miles above the Earth. The second stage engine, considered the world's
highest performing upper stage, will burn super-cold liquid oxygen and
liquid hydrogen. 

The other key Delta 3 feature is the 13-foot diameter nose cone that will
house a satellite at the rocket's top. Its design allows satellites to
arrive at the launch pad already in place and ready for launch. That means
technicians can keeping working on the rocket itself, saving time. The
result, Boeing officials said, will be lower launch costs. 

The Delta 3's chief rivals will be the Lockheed Martin Atlas family of
rockets, the French Ariane 4 and 5, and the Chinese Long March boosters,
Boeing officials said. 

The company considers Delta 3 an evolutionary step toward the Delta 4
family, the company's entry for the U.S. Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch
Vehicle (EELV) program, which aims to reduce space launch costs by as much
as 50 percent. Boeing plans the first launch of Delta 4 in 2001.

Boeing expects to launch four Delta 3 missions in 1999 from Cape Canaveral
Air Station. In all, it has contracts for 18 Delta 3 launches over the next
few years from Cape Canaveral, of which 13 are satellites built by Hughes
Space and Communications Company. 
(SME, source: Various)

INTELSAT ANNOUNCES MULTICAST TESTS
----------------------------------
Teleglobe, Telecom Egypt, Telkom South Africa, Cyprus Telecommunications
Authority and Embratel of Brazil will be the initial participants in
pre-commercial testing of Intelsat's Multicast Internet Caching and
Replication System, the International Telecommunications Satellite
Organization announced.

Live system testing is expected to begin in November. It is intended to
confirm the technical feasibility of multicasting the most frequently
accessed web-based content from an Internet "warehouse" via satellite to
correspondent "kiosk" sites world-wide.

In a first set of pre-commercial tests, Teleglobe will operate the warehouse
at one of its network service facilities in Canada. Web-based content will
be multicast from a primary cache at the warehouse through one of
Teleglobe's Intelsat earth stations to each kiosk site, in Egypt, South
Africa, Cyprus and Brazil. Each of these participants will receive content
into a local cache, on either a "push" or "pull" request basis.

The multicast-to-cache service platform is being developed by A&T systems,
Inc. USA, under contract to Intelsat. In its prototype version, the
warehouse will contain and manage three types of Internet content: popular
pre-selected Web sites, data from content originators wishing to have
information or updates pushed via the warehouse; and content requested by
kiosk operators or by additional users.
(SME, Copyright Sat-ND (http://sat-nd.com)

MTV DAUGHTER M2 LAUNCHED
------------------------
MTV's second music channel M2 officially launched in Europe on August 3, but
for the first few weeks it is only available via the Internet. 

Reversing the recent MTV trend away from the music videos that established
the channel, M2 will be a 24-hour free form music outlet, with no commercial
breaks, and no presenters. M2 will be available in Scandinavia's Canal
Digital package from October, and will join Sky Digital shortly afterwards.

The M2 Europe web site is at: http://www.m2europe.com

with the actual Real Video 5 feed at:

	http://www.m2europe.com:7070/ramgen/m2live.rm

(SME, source: Sweden Calling!)

NOW TO SOME LAUNCH INFORMATION, http://www.satcodx.com/launches.shtml

KOUROU: HOLIDAYS ARE OVER
--------------------------------
Preparations are underway for Arianespace's next launch, Flight 109, which
is targeted for early morning August 26 with the ST-1 telecommunications
payload. The a launch window of 00:07-01:03 CET.

This mission will use an ARIANE 44P launch vehicle equipped with four solid
strap-on boosters - marking the 79th flight of an Ariane 4, and the 12th in
the 44P configuration.

Flight 109 is to kick off a rapid-paced flight program that foresees seven
Ariane 4 launches between August 25 and the end of 1998. These missions will
place a total of nine payloads into orbit. The third qualification flight of
Ariane 5 is planned for mid October, bringing all Ariane missions during
this period to eight.

The ST-1 mission will be the first since the April 28 launch of Flight 108,
which successfully orbited the Egyptian Nilesat 101 and Japanese BSAT-1b
direct broadcast satellites.

Arianespace's August-December launch schedule once again demonstrates its
capability to adapt to changing market conditions - in this case, a
four-month "quiet period" resulting from the unavailability of customer
satellite payloads.

The company's capacity to accelerate mission rates to match satellite
availability has been demonstrated before by Arianespace its industrial team
- most recently in 1997, when seven missions were conducted between August 8
and December 20.

Arianespace used the past several months to perform normal maintenance work
on the launch facilities at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
When possible, employees took their vacations in June and July in order to
be available during the second half of the year.

The upcoming Flight 109 with ST-1 will be Arianespace's fifth mission of
1998. The previous four launches, performed from February 4 to April 28,
successfully orbited a total of six satellites.

PANAMSAT PREPARES FOR LAUNCH
----------------------------
The PAS-7 satellite, a FS 1300 satellite built by Space Systems/Loral, has
arrived in Kourou, French Guiana, in preparation for a mid-September launch
on Europe's Ariane rocket, an Ariane 44LP on Flight 110.

The satellite carries a payload of 14 C-band and 30 Ku-band transponders and
will be co-located with PAS-4 at 68.5 East, and provide telecommunication
and broadcast TV services within Asia and between the region and Europe,
Africa, and the Middle East.
(SME, source: Panamsat PR)

ASTRA 2A LAUNCH AGAIN DELAYED
------------------------------
The launch of Astra 2A, the satellite destined to replace Astra 1D and
broadcast digital signals to Britain from 28 degrees East, has been delayed
by a further four days. The launch of the craft onboard a Proton rocket from
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakstan, has been pushed back to August 30 to enable
ground crew to conduct further testing of the craft.

The powerful final booster "Block DM" has caused some trouble in the past. A
launch window will open from 01:31-01:41 CET.
(SME, source Various)

PANAMSAT 4, 68.5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/pas4.shtml
----------
CMT - Country Music TV has started on 3,743 H, MPEG-2/clear, PIDs 1660/1620.
(SATCO DX)

INTELSAT 704, 66 East, http://www.satcodx.com/i704.shtml
------------
The transmissions on 3,795 L, MPEG-2/clear, SR 6000, FEC 2/3, PIDs 289/290,
NW zone beam, are occasional CNBC feeds from Asia to Europe and not regular
programming.
(SATCO DX)

TURKSAT 1C, 42 East, http://www.satcodx.com/turk1c.shtml
---------- 
Occasional feeds on 11,088 H, MPEG-2/clear, SR 3255, FEC 5/6.
(SATCO DX)

TURKSAT 1B, 31 East, http://www.satcodx.com/turk1b.shtml
---------- 
Karadeniz TV has started on 11,151 V, MPEG-2/clear, SR 3255, FEC 5/6, PIDs
33/34, Turkish (East) beam.
(SATCO DX)

Medya Grup has started on 11,143 V, MPEG-2, SR 7552, FEC 5/6, and following
channel line-up: 
33/34	Nickelodeon Turkey & The Discovery Channel Turkey (PGCA)
37/38	Number One TV (clear)
41/42	Genc TV (clear)
(SATCO DX)

ASTRA 1G, 19.2 East, http://www.satcodx.com/astra1g.shtml
-------
Taquilla 16:9 on 12,581 V has started regular transmissions,
MPEG-2/Mediaguard.
(SATCO DX)

EUTELSAT II-f3, 16 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f3.shtml
--------------
The Formula 1 feed for RTL from the Hungaro-Ring in Budapest was live
transmitted on 11,668 GHz H and 11,681 GHz H, both with SR 9999, FEC 3/4.
(SME, source N. Schlammer)

HOT BIRD 3, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb3.shtml
----------
A non-stop music radio channel has started on 12,169 H, MPEG-2/clear, APID
711.
(SATCO DX)

HOT BIRD 4, 13 East, http://www.satcodx.com/hb4.shtml
----------
On the Arabsat Digital package at 12,654 H, MPEG-2/clear, is with SID 10 a
colorbar test card.
Radio "Voice of the Kingdom 1" (KSA) is on APID 1422.
(SATCO DX)

Music channel Krisma (Skyplex) has replaced Mysik Karayb on 10,719 V. The
Eutelsat promo has ceased.
(SME, source: N.Schlammer)

The British Telecom test package in MPEG-2/clear  on 10,722 H shows Quantum
24 also on PIDs 1001/1201, with audio not corresponding the TV signal.
(SATCO DX)

EUTELSAT II-f2, 10 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f2.shtml
--------------
Pop TV on 11,026 H is still in MPEG-2/clear.
(SATCO DX)

EUTELSAT II-f4-M, 7 East, http://www.satcodx.com/e2f4.shtml
----------------
A Formula 1 feed for ORF was observed in PAL/clear on 11,178 GHz, H.
(SME)

SIRIUS 2, 5 East, http://www.satcodx.com/sirius.shtml
--------
The National Geographic Channel has started on 12,303 H, MPEG-2/clear, PIDs
1760/1720 are required to input manually. Audio is not available yet.
(SATCO DX)

The Merlin Communication tests on 12,226 H have ceased.
(SATCO DX)

THOR 3, 0.8 West, http://www.satcodx.com/thor3.shtml
------
Six Telenor trailers have started on 12,456 V, MPEG-2/clear, SR 28000, FEC
3/4, PIDs 512/640-517/660 and SIDs 1001-1006.
(SATCO DX)

SME Comment: I could not get hold of this transmission yet, the received
signal strength is equal zero. The analogue tests on this transponder after
the placement of Thor 3 in GEO however could be received here excellent.
(SME)

INTELSAT 707, 1 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i707.shtml
------------
The Egyptian package on 4,135 L will change to another transponder in the
night from Thursday 27->28 August. For the new frequency I have
contradicting reports, most probably 4,180 L.
(SME, Anonymous, ERTU)

INTELSAT 803, 21.5 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i803.shtml
------------
TV 5 Afrique will move from 4,016 R to 3,924 R on 1 September.
(SATCO DX, source: TV 5 TeleText)

NILESAT 101, 7 West, http://www.satcodx.com/nile101.shtml
-----------
New PIDs for all 1st Net channels on 11,881 H and some in the Showtime
Network channels on 11,996 H.
Nile News on 11,843 H is also on PIDs 1009/1209.
(SATCO DX)

SME Comment: There is at times on 11,823, SID 203, a broadcast of Nile
Sports, but the transmission is NOT identical to the transmissions of Nile
Sports on transponder 7m 11,843 V, SID 606.

Here the latest update from Friday, August 21st, 18:00 CET:

tp 2, 11,746 V, MPEG-2, NID 2048, TID 1, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, EDUCATIONAL TV

(VPID,APID,PPID,SID)
1001/1201/1001/101	EDUC 1	Color Bars	General education
1002/1202/1002/102	EDUC 2	Color Bars	Visionary education
1003/1203/1003/103	EDUC 3	Color Bars	Arabic teachings
1004/1204/1004/104	EDUC 4	Color Bars	Technical schooling
1005/1205/1005/105	EDUC 5	Color Bars	Language classes
1006/1206/1006/106	EDUC 6	Color Bars	Literacy schooling
1007/1207/1007/107	EDUC 7	Color Bars	Art classes
1008/1208/1008/108	Test-1	Philips TC/no audio

tp 3, 11,765 H, MPEG-2, NID 2048, TID 5, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, DOMESTIC TV

1001/1201/1001/501	Channel 1	ERTU 1
1002/1202/1002/502	Channel 2	ERTU 2
1003/1203/1003/503	ESC2		Egyptian Space Channel Two
1004/1204/1004/504	Test-4		Philips TC/no audio
1005/1205/1005/505	Nile TV		Nile TV International
1006/1206/1006/506	ESC1		Egyptian Space Channel One
1007/1207/1007/507	Channel 3	ERTU 3
1008/1208/1008/508	Test-5		Philips TC/no audio (Occ.feeds)
	
Comment: There is a radio station on every channel with APID 1301-1308

tp 6, 11,823 V, MPEG-2, NID 2048, TID 2, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, EDUCATION TV

1001/1201/1001/201	HEALTH 1	Colorbars(Imhotep Channel)
1002/1202/1002/202	HEALTH 2	Colorbars(Horus Vision)
1003/1203/1003/203	Test-2		Philips TC/no audio
1004/1204/1004/204	Ajman		Ajman TV (UAE)
1005/1205/1005/205	Iraq		Iraq Space Channel
1006/1206/1006/206	OMAN		Oman TV
1007/1207/1007/207	BAHRAIN		Bahrain TV
1008/1208/1008/208	Test-3		Philips TC/no audio

Comment: There is Radio Oman behind OMAN TV with APID 1306

tp 7, 11.843 H, MPEG-2, NID 2048, TID 6, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, DOMESTIC-TV

1001/1201/1001/601	Channel 8	ERTU Domestic Channel 8
1002/1202/1002/602	News		Nile News Channel: Logo Orange
1003/1203/1003/603	Family		Nile Family Channel: Logo Pink
1004/1204/1004/604	Varieties	Nile Variety Channel: Logo Red
1005/1205/1005/605	NDC		Nile Drama Channel: Logo Blue
1006/1206/1006/606	Sport		Nile Sports Channel: Logo Green
1007/1207/1007/607	Culture		Nile Culture Channel: Logo Yellow
1008/1208/1008/608	Channel 5	ERTU Domestic Channel 5  
1009/1209/1009/609	Test-6		Nile News Channel (temporary) 

Comment: There is an empty radio carrier on every channel with APID
1301-1307
         The test channel does NOT feature this carrier

tp 8, 11,862 V, PAL/clear Iraq Space Channel, Iraq, Audio 6.50

tp 9, 11,880 H, MPEG-2, NID 2048, TID 8, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, 1stNET/ART

3006/3007/3003/701	ART 1	ART 1 Family (encr)
3017/3018/3003/702	ART 2	ART 2 Sports (encr)
3028/3029/3003/703	ART 3	ART 3 Children (encr)
3038/3039/3003/704	ART 4	ART 4 Movies (encr)
3048/3049/3003/705	ART 5	ART 5 Music (encr)
3058/3059/3003/706	AL-M	Al Ma'aref (encr)
3068/3069/3003/707	ART	ART Saif (encr)
3074/3075/3003/708	OPEN	ART Promo Channel (clear)
8191/3093/3003/709	RCH 1	Radio Channel One (clear)

tp 14, 11,977 V, PAL/clear Jamarihya Channel, Libya, Audio 6.60

tp 15, 11,996 H, MPEG-2, NID 2048, TID 3, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, SHOWTIME

3004/3005/3051/321	TMC	The Movie Channel (encr)
3014/3015/3051/322	N/P	Nickelodeon/Paramount Channel (encr)
3024/3024/3051/323	TVL	TV-Land (encr)
3034/3035/3051/324	MTV	MTV Europe (encr)
3044/3045/3051/325	VH-1	VH-1 UK (encr)
3054/3055/3051/326	BTV	Bloomberg Information TV UK (encr)

tp 17, 12.034 H, MPEG-2, NID 2048, TID 4, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, SHOWTIME

3004/3005/3041/421	STY	Style Channel (encr)
3014/3015/3041/422	DISC	Discovery (encr)
3024/3025/3041/423	SET	Sony Entertainment TV (encr)
3034/3035/3041/424	HALL	Hallmark Network Promo (enc)
3042/3043/3041/425	ONTV	Showtime Preview Channel (clear)

tp 19, 12,072 H, MPEG-2, NID 2048, TID 7, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, 1stNET

3004/3005/3011/801	TNT	TNT/Cartoon (encr)
3014/3015/3011/802	LBC	LBC Plus (encr)
3024/3025/3011/803	NDC	Nile Drama Channel (encr)
3034/3035/3011/804	ESC 2	Egyptian Space Channel Two (encr)
3044/3045/3011/805	RTT	RTT Tunisia (TV 7) (encr)
3052/3053/3011/806	MBC	MBC London (clear)
3062/3063/3011/807	TFC	The Filipino Channel (clear)
3074/3075/3011/808	MNE	M-Net East (encr)
(SME)

Intelsat 803, 21.5W, http://satcodx.com/i803.shtml
------------
La Cinquieme & ART have left Satellite Afrique TV on 3,650 R due to
copyright reasons. Radio Nova and RFI have left due to technical reasons.
(SATCO DX)

INTELSAT 801, 31.5 West, http://www.satcodx.com/i801.shtml
------------
A Formula 1 feed for ITV was seen PAL/clear, on 11,597 GHz, V, whereby the
received video quality in Cairo can be labeled reasonable but the audio
quality is very poor, probably due to a very small bandwidth used.
(SME)

SAT-MIDEAST INTERN, http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hall/2878/
------------------
Due to the kind support of an egyptian businessman, I'm now able to submit
the reports from a Windows 95 environment. The whole set-up is still in a
transitional phase, so I hope you will allow for eventual formatting errors.
Any difficulties in readability are requested to be reported, in order to
further improve the free-to-home mail service.

Best regards,

Henk C. Room / Cairo - Egypt / ICQ: 1747 2291
____________________________________________________________________
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