Timely transfer of satellite services from HQ in Paris. Spice Design produced a project review report setting out the detailed ergonomic and planning requirements to transfer the satellite services from HQ in Paris to Rambouillet. The summary included up to date compliance for EN ISO standards, outline cost plan and contract programme.

The scope included:

Strip out exg equipment racks, New pressurised raised floor, Fully redundant M&E systems. Acoustic wall treatment,  Electrically operated blinds, Viewing gallery, Main display wall - 67” Retro projection and Secondary displays – 42” LED screen arrays.

Following the award of a consultancy appointment by Eutelsat to Spice Design to carry out a planning report for the transfer of satellite services from the Paris HQ in to Rambouillet, Spice were subsequently retained to produce a full RFP [ Cahier de charges ] The existing teleport near Rambouillet was purchased from France telecom, where Eutelsat already operated major transmission services for voice, data and communication via their ever increasing fleet of satellites.The building facilities required a major over haul to bring up to the standard required for the anticipated transfer of services. Following a site survey and detailed briefing from the Eutelsat senior management and the submission of Spice’s initial report. which included detailed ergonomic and planning requirements, Spice and Ceng produced detailed package of drawings and specifications with comprehensive power and lighting schedules for implementation by the Paris based architectural and engineering team. Read the rest of this entry »

Spice Design were invited to bid for the total design, planning, project management, and delivery of the control centre and purpose built satellite consoles, including all equipment on a competitive tender basis against specialist consultants from the US.

The progressive R.F.P. bid document produced by Newskies Satellites Project Management, Colem Communications, was succinct in NSS’s requirements, but was open to innovative solutions for the design of an integrated console within a condensed ‘footprint’. It was clearly apparent from the indicative programme, that any bid had to be completely comprehensive, not only in terms of conceptual design of the console control room and ancillary areas, but also supported with accurate method statements, specifications, drawings and visuals.

Spice needed to demonstrate their credibility and background to deliver to a technical environment, commensurate with a highly professional and commercial ethos demanded by the Newskies management team. Read the rest of this entry »

Spice Design were appointed in the latter part of 1997 by ICO Global Communications, a satellite communications company, which has a distribution agreement with over 91 countries to provide satellite telephone services.

The corporation which is preparing for a launch of 12 No. satellites over the next three years, are basing their satellite control centre and back up management centre in their new Headquarters building at Cowley Business Park, Uxbridge, UK.

Spice were invited to produce proposals based on their experience from previous control rooms planned and designed for EUTELSAT and EUMETSAT. Spice were subsequently requested to manage the ‘fitting out’ contract, which included extensive alterations to the electrical and mechanical services, to provide 24 hour support for the intensive programme of satellite launches. Due to the intensive nature and condensed programme,

Spice formed a project team including the Quantity Surveyor, the LG Partnership, and Hilson Moran, service engineers. The project team produced a conventional tender package which went out to four specialist main contractors. Read the rest of this entry »

The International Maritime Satellite Organisation commissioned Spice in May ‘88 to provide them with specialist consoles for their Satellite Control Centre in the Euston Tower.

Subsequently they were made aware of our other areas of expertise and we were asked to project manage and design the top two floors including the control centre for this highly technical corporate interior.

Spice were part of a software bid by Logica, to design and install modular work-station consoles, for the new Darmstadt/Eumetsat facilities. The bid was accepted by the client and subsequently joint meetings were held with all concerned, in Darmstadt, to discuss the projects and other information with regard to hardware and equipment. Subsequently Spice developed the concept, which became a double layer modular control desk, housing six 19″ HP screens with C.P.U.’s and associated perimeter video equipment ect.

The design concept was processed from original sketch drawings, through to the early ergonomic trials, to a full working prototype which was signed off and subsequently manufactured by moulds and tools to produce G.R.P. consoles. Read the rest of this entry »

Following a recommendation by Logica, Spice Design were introduced to EUTELSAT who subsequently requested proposals for a modular console, suitable for SCC (Satellite Control Room) and CSC (Television Monitoring Control Room).

The design concept development commenced March 1996 and is due for delivery mid-July 1996. The modular consoles were designed in three types ie: a curved two section, curved three section, and a straight two section to facilitate the different footprint designs of the control rooms within the new facility building based in South West Paris.

Each module is designed to incorporate a worktop mounted telephone system, sloping keyboard rest area, 19″ rack mounted frame in base unit, and special 19″ rack frame endorsing g.r.p. modular pod to be worktop in low profile recessed area to the rear of the desk. Particular emphasis with regard to low profile was required by EUTELSAT to solve the problems of operator vision over the 21″ monitor screens and the 19″ rack pods to view the curved monitor wall displaying up to 108 television monitor screens. Read the rest of this entry »