ICO Global Communications’ first satellite in orbit has completed three months of testing with all systems operating nominally, the company announced today. Five of the 11 existing ICO ground stations have been involved in the program so far.
“This is a highly satisfying record for our first spacecraft in orbit,” said ICO Chief Executive Officer Greg Clarke. “We have more testing ahead of us but so far the program is proceeding well, and the health of the satellite is excellent.”
All spacecraft bus testing has been completed to verify the functioning of all the on-board subsystems, including attitude control, propulsion, telemetry and command, thermal control and power. Still to be completed is the detailed performance of the communications subsystems.
ICO has been building its integrated space and ground system since 1995 and has invested more than $3 billion in the project.
The satellite was put into orbit on June 19 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The full constellation will consist of 12 satellites in medium Earth orbit (MEO) in two planes at 45-degree angles to the equator. Satellites are being built by Boeing Satellite Systems.
Satellite access nodes (SANs) involved in telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) are in the United States, Germany, South Africa, Australia and Chile. Further testing will include the SAN in Korea and later on the SANs in India, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil and Indonesia.
