British satellite operator Inmarsat has triggered the option to order a fourth next generation Ka-band satellite from Boeing to initially act as a launch spare from mid-2016.
If the other three Inmarsat-5 satellites are launched successfully, the new…
British satellite operator Inmarsat has triggered the option to order a fourth next generation Ka-band satellite from Boeing to initially act as a launch spare from mid-2016.
If the other three Inmarsat-5 satellites are launched successfully, the new US$220m-US$250m bird will be put to use to increase capacity and enhance the group’s network coverage.
The order will boost customer confidence in the company’s next generation Global Xpress constellation, which will mark the first time a commercial operator has used Ka-band frequencies for a global satellite service, as it nears the launch of the first of these birds on a Russian Proton rocket.
Although fresh financing is not required to fund the latest order, the company is thought to be exploring export credit agency support.
It has already lined up Willis to place launch insurance for the spacecraft. The broker had secured coverage for the first three Inmarsat-5 satellites under separate arrangements.
Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce said: “We have signed multiple pre-sale agreements and received significant expressions of interest, some of which are tied to the completion of global coverage with three satellites. This has encouraged us to not only move to a strategy to physically insure our global service date with a fourth satellite, but also to consider incremental opportunities that have emerged and could drive enhanced returns via the launch of a fourth satellite.”
The first Inmarsat-5 has faced delays following a Proton rocket crash in July, but the group is understood to be expecting a launch in December.
Inmarsat has an option for one more Inmarsat-5 satellite under its agreement with Boeing.
