Mobile satellite operator Inmarsat said that the critical design review (CDR) for its Inmarsat-5 satellites, built by Boeing, has been completed ahead of schedule.
In a statement, Inmarsat’s space segment vice-president Franco Carnevale said: “This…
Mobile satellite operator Inmarsat said that the critical design review (CDR) for its Inmarsat-5 satellites, built by Boeing, has been completed ahead of schedule.
In a statement, Inmarsat’s space segment vice-president Franco Carnevale said: “This is a fundamental milestone and marks the transition of the project from a design and engineering phase to a manufacturing, integration and test phase.
“The review was completed earlier than scheduled, and the conclusion of the CDR board was that the design is mature and there are comfortable margins with all key performance parameters.”
The three 702HP Ka-band satellites, which will support the company’s next generation global service, Global Xpress, are scheduled to be launched in 2013.
The Global Xpress programme represents Inmarsat’s push into Ka-band, which it expects to generate annual revenues of US$500m revenues five years after global service launch.
Leo Mondale, Inmarsat Global Xpress managing director, added: “The service will be supported by multiple steerable beams on each satellite, which will enable us to direct significant capacity, in real time, to the exact location it is needed.
“These beams have been specially designed by Boeing to serve, among other applications, the rapidly growing UAV demand for wideband channels, providing excellent value to governments without the need for capital investment.”
Under the contract, Boeing has agreed to become a distribution partner for both Inmarsat’s Ka- and L-band services and has pre-committed to capacity purchases representing more than 10% of Inmarsat’s target Ka-band revenues in the first five years after global service launch.
Inmarsat estimates that the total cost of Global Xpress will be US$1.2bn over 4.5 years, which includes the fixed cost of the satellites, as well as the cost of additional ground network infrastructure, product development, launch services and insurance.
