Integral Systems, Inc., announced a contract with ProtoStar-II Ltd., (ProtoStar) of Bermuda to provide a completely integrated ground control system for ProtoStar-II, a 601HP satellite currently under construction by Boeing. This contract follows on the heels of a highly successful ProtoStar-I program and further solidifies Integral’s place as the dominant ground system supplier in the industry.

By integrating state-of-the-art products from Integral’s wholly-owned subsidiaries Newpoint Technologies and SAT Corporation with its EPOCH IPS (Integrated Product Suite), Integral is able to offer an unparalleled solution that meets and exceeds the ProtoStar ground system’s requirements.

The contract includes primary and backup satellite control, network, and payload operations; CSM (Communications Spectrum Monitoring); and TT&C (Telemetry, Tracking, and Control) hardware and software systems. These items are being provided on an 8-month schedule to support ProtoStar-II’s launch, currently slated for early 2009. The primary EPOCH IPS-based ProtoStar-II control system will be installed in Indonesia and operated by Indovision, while the backup control system will be integrated with the ProtoStar-I EPOCH system in Singapore and operated by SingTel. The contract includes prime and redundant TT&C facilities, both having a 13m TT&C antenna with an integrated CSM system. Integral will also provide executable satellite and ground operations procedures under the terms of the contract.

Like ProtoStar-I, the ProtoStar-II system is based on today’s leading product offerings for satellite command and control (Integral’s EPOCH IPS), network and equipment management (Newpoint Technologies’ Compass), and CSM (SAT Corporation’s Monics). Using these products, Integral offers a comprehensive solution for the entire ground system that cost-effectively scales to meet the needs of a rapidly growing operator like ProtoStar. To take full advantage of this tightly integrated system, ProtoStar will use Integral’s recently announced Executive Enterprise Dashboard to provide web-based “at a glance” access to satellite health and safety data, QoS (Quality of Service) information, and other key performance indicators affecting their business.

“For ProtoStar-II operations, we are building on the ground infrastructure that has been successfully implemented by ISI for the ProtoStar-I system,” commented Steven Smith, VP of Technical Operations for ProtoStar. “ISI delivered the initial ground system and antennas on a tight schedule. We are confident that ISI and its team of subcontractors can do a similar program for ProtoStar-II, and that by integrating our systems we will have an efficient and effective operation for our growing satellite fleet, and for our customer services,” continued Smith.

James Kramer, Director of Commercial C&C Systems at Integral, believes the company’s performance on the ProtoStar-I program was a key factor in winning this follow-on contract. “ProtoStar put their trust in us to provide a high quality state-of-the-art system for their ProtoStar-I satellite and we delivered with flying colors, impressing both ProtoStar and SingTel, their third-party satellite operator,” commented Kramer. “We are very pleased that ProtoStar has returned to us for their ProtoStar-II system. We look forward to seamlessly integrating their new Boeing 601HP satellite into their existing system, and our continued relationship with ProtoStar as they grow their satellite fleet and global business,” added Kramer.