Tim A: OT, sort of, on satellites: maybe this explains the bust on Lockheed's launch of LOR satellite:
Lockheed, TRW, Telecom Italia to Invest $900 Mln in Astrolink
By Yaroslav Trofimov at Bloomberg News
06 May 1999
Lockheed Martin Corp., Telecom Italia SpA and TRW Inc. said they plan to invest $900 million in Astrolink LLC, a venture that plans to use satellites for high-speed communications and Internet access.
Lockheed Martin, the second-largest U.S. aerospace company, will own 46% of Astrolink, investing $400 million, with the remainder split between Telecom Italia, Italy's biggest phone company, and TRW, a U.S. aerospace and vehicle components maker. They will invest $250 million each.
Astrolink, like competitors Teledesic LLC and Hughes Electronics Corp.'s Spaceway project, plans to use satellites for linking computer networks worldwide. Astrolink plans to launch its first satellite in 2002 and begin commercial service in 2003. The project's total cost is estimated at $3.6 billion.
Lockheed Martin will provide the satellites and the launchers, Telecom Italia and its Telespazio unit will contribute ground control systems and the marketing of services in Italy, Europe and Latin America, while TRW will provide the communications transponders, the companies said. >
Regards. Steven |
