Boeing today announced that it has received a contract from Inmarsat to build three Ka-band satellites to add to Inmarsat’s current mobile satellite services fleet. Financial details were not disclosed.
The fixed-price contract, with options, calls for three 702HP commercial spacecraft with 89 Ka-band beams that will operate in geosynchronous orbit with flexible global coverage. The new satellite series, called Inmarsat-5, draws on Boeing’s four decades of experience gained from the production of more than 175 commercial communications satellites and its extensive expertise in Ka-band satellite communications systems.
“This contract represents a best-value solution that combines Boeing’s unmatched commercial satellite heritage and Ka-band satellite communications experience to meet Inmarsat’s satellite requirements,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. “Boeing has produced more Ka-band satellite communications systems than any other manufacturer, and we are currently producing the Wideband Global SATCOM satellite series, which is the primary Ka-band system for the U.S. government. We are committed to a successful partnership with Inmarsat for this newest addition to their service fleet.”
The Boeing satellites will provide Inmarsat with the ability to adapt to shifting subscriber usage patterns of high data rates, specialized applications and evolving demographics over a projected 15-year lifetime. In a separate arrangement, Boeing has also entered into a distribution partnership with Inmarsat to provide L- and Ka-band capacity to key users within the U.S. government.
The Inmarsat-5 spacecraft will be compatible with the Ariane, Sea Launch, Proton and Atlas launch vehicles. Launch services will be procured by Inmarsat.
Boeing will host a media teleconference today at 11 a.m. Eastern time / 8 a.m. Pacific time to discuss the new contract. Opening remarks will be provided by Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager, Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems, and Andrew Sukawaty, chairman and chief executive officer, Inmarsat. A question-and-answer session will follow. Media wishing to cover this event can call the Boeing Defense, Space & Security External Communications office at (703) 414-6312 for the dial-in information.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security (www.boeing.com/bds/) is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.
Satellite manufacturing b-roll footage is available to media through the contacts listed below.
A related image is available at boeing.mediaroom.com.
Contact:
Angie Yoshimura
Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems
Office: 310-364-6708
Mobile: 310-227-6568
angie.e.yoshimura@boeing.com
Bob Pickard
Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems
Office: 310-364-6125
Mobile: 310-343-1211
robert.pickard3@boeing.com
