Inmarsat has triggered an option to purchase a fourth Inmarsat-5 spacecraft – under its existing contract with Boeing Satellite Systems International.The programme schedule from Boeing has a satellite delivery date of mid-2016.The fourth satellite will have a dual strategic role – firstly, as an early available spare in the unlikely event of a launch failure of any of the first three Inmarsat-5 satellites....Boeing will immediately begin construction of the fourth Inmarsat-5 satellite. The total cost of the option and certain related expenditure will be between US$220 million and US$250 million.
The I-5 satellites, based on Boeing’s proven 702HP spacecraft platform, will deliver consistent high-performance download speeds of up to 50Mbps and up to 5Mbps over the uplink from their position in geosynchronous orbit. Their impressive statistics include: The I-5 body – at 6.98 metres (22.9ft), the height of a double decker bus User beams – 89 Ka-band beams generated by two transmit and two receive apertures Spot beams – six steerable spot beams to direct additional capacity where it is needed Solar arrays – a wingspan of 33.8 metres (111ft) Solar panels – five panels of ultra triple-junction gallium arsenide solar cells generate 15 kW of power at start of service and 13.8 kW by end of life Station-keeping thrusters – a xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS) handles in-orbit manoeuvring Launch mass – 6,100kg Mission lifespan – 15 years
I spy with my @SpaceX eye ...
QuoteI spy with my @SpaceX eye ...https://twitter.com/spacekscblog/status/860886465617821696
DYK it takes 4 days to load the 2437kg of propellant mass needed to raise our #I5F4 satellite into orbit? Getting launch-ready at @SpaceX!
Stephen C. Smith @SpaceKSCBlog 4m4 minutes agoI spy with my @SpaceX eye ...
Inmarsat Verified account @InmarsatGlobal 4m4 minutes agoThe launch vehicle team based at @SpaceX have successfully mated our #I5F4 satellite to the payload adaptor in preparation for launch!
Eastern Range will be conducting hazardous operations surface to unlimited within the following Launch Hazard Areas.A: From 2839N 8038W TO 2840N 8035W TO 2840N 8001W TO 2836N 7934W TO 2832N 7934W TO 2831N 8004W TO 2832N 8023W TO 2834N 8036W TO 2837N 8038W to beginningB: From 2835N 7618W TO 2835N 7407W TO 2815N 6948W TO 2735N 6948W TO 2735N 7107W TO 2806N 7618W to beginningHazard periods for primary launch day and backup launch day;Primary launch day: 15 / 2315Z thru 16 / 0049Z May 17. T-0 is 2320ZBackup launch day: 16 / 2315Z thru 17 / 0049Z May 17. T-0 is 2320Z
Spaceflight Now @SpaceflightNow 20m20 minutes agoA Falcon 9 rocket was hoisted upright at launch pad 39A this morning in preparation for a routine pre-launch engine test.