A Boeing modified 601
satellite was successfully launched today on an Atlas IIAS vehicle at
Cape Canaveral AS, Fla. Liftoff occurred at 12:41 a.m. EDT, (4:41 a.m.
GMT and 9:41 p.m. PDT, June 18.) Acquisition on the spacecraft was
received one hour and 54 minutes later at Brisbane, Australia
confirming that systems are operating normally. The satellite was
built for ICO Global Communications, Uxbridge, England, by Boeing
Satellite Systems, Inc. (BSS), a unit of The Boeing Company.
This satellite is one of 15 under contract for construction by BSS.
The launch was managed by International Launch Services.
“We are extremely happy to launch this satellite for ICO Global
Communications,” said Randy H. Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite
Systems. “This satellite will be the test bed for the next generation
of satellite telecommunications. Boeing is looking forward to
launching more ICO satellites in the future and working with ICO
Global Communications in providing a unique telephony and data
communication system for the world.”
ICO satellite constellation will consist of 10 active satellites
in two planes of medium-Earth orbit at an altitude of 10,390
kilometers (6,456 statute miles). The orbits will be inclined at 45
degrees to the equator with each plane having five operational
satellites plus one spare. Initially, ICO will use it for testing of
the integration of its space and ground systems, and will integrate it
in the full constellation.
“This is a great day for ICO,” said Greg Clarke, ICO chief
executive officer. “This launch fundamentally changes the character of
ICO.”
ICO Global Communications was established in January 1995 to
provide global mobile personal communications services by satellite.
Controlling shareholder is an investment group led by wireless pioneer
Craig McCaw. ICO plans to offer the satellite equivalent of
third-generation (3G) wireless services, including mobile voice,
wireless Internet and other packet-data services.
Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc., is the world’s leading
manufacturer of commercial communications satellites, and is also a
major provider of space systems, satellites, and payloads for national
defense, science and environmental applications.
The Boeing Company, headquartered in Seattle, is the largest
aerospace company in the world and the United States’ leading
exporter. It is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial
jetliners and military aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor. The
company’s capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft,
electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch
vehicles, and advanced information and communication systems. The
company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries
and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and
Australia.
