|
Global mobile satellite communications
provider, Inmarsat, has confirmed the successful launch of the fourth,
high-speed broadband communications satellite in its transformational Global
Xpress (GX) constellation.
Inmarsat GX is the world’s first globally
available, broadband connectivity service and was created to enable communities
across the world to benefit from the emerging digital society.
Inmarsat-5 F4 (I-5 F4) was launched by SpaceX
on a Falcon 9 rocket at 00:21 (BST) / 19:21 (ET) from the historic launch pad
39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Following satellite separation at
00:53 (BST) / 19:53 ET, the company acquired telemetry from its Perth ground
station at 01:04 BST / 20:04 ET.
The launch team from Inmarsat and Boeing
Network & Space Systems, the manufacturer of I-5 F4, are now raising the
spacecraft to a geostationary orbit, at which point the satellite will deploy
its solar arrays and reflectors, and undergo payload testing.
I-5 F4 joins the three GX satellites already
in orbit, which have, since December 2015, been delivering unprecedented service
speeds, global coverage, reliability and security to users on land, at sea and
in the air. The fourth satellite adds further capacity to the GX network, as
well as in-orbit redundancy that further upgrades the reliability and resilience
of Inmarsat’s service offerings.
“For Inmarsat, reliability and resilience are
paramount,” said Rupert Pearce,
CEO, Inmarsat. “Delivering global commercial services over the GX network, which
we achieved at the end of 2015, was only the start of our Global Xpress project.
I-5 F4 augments the capabilities of GX and, alongside our existing L-band
constellations, enables Inmarsat to provide guaranteed global connectivity to
industries and governments worldwide.
“I would like to thank all my colleagues at
Inmarsat, whose hard work and dedication is seeing Global Xpress setting a new
standard of excellence for broadband communications in established VSAT markets,
such the maritime and government sectors, while also rapidly gaining strong
traction in new market areas, such as the rapidly expanding aviation passenger
connectivity sector.
“I also wish to extend my sincere thanks to
our satellite manufacturing partner Boeing and our launch partner SpaceX for
delivering a successful launch outcome.”
|
