Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) announced Tuesday that it recently signed a contract with ICO Satellite Management for the design and construction of a geostationary Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) satellite that, together with an Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC), will be capable of providing mobile voice and data communications throughout the United States.
“The 2-GHz mobile systems are driving a growing segment of today’s satellite manufacturing industry,” said Bernard L. Schwartz, chairman and CEO of Loral Space & Communications.
“With ICO and other 2-GHz programs under development, SS/L has put a stake in the ground as the leading provider of these next generation mobile satellites.”
ICO’s GEO satellite is based on SS/L’s space-proven 1300 platform, which has an excellent record of reliable operation.
Its high efficiency solar arrays and lightweight batteries are designed to provide uninterrupted electrical power.
In all, SS/L satellites have amassed almost 1,200 years of reliable on-orbit service.
ICO is one of two companies awarded licenses by the FCC to provide satellite-based communications services with ATC technology in the 2-GHz frequency band.
With its SS/L constructed geostationary satellite and ATC, ICO will provide next generation mobile voice and data services, providing complete coverage regardless of the user’s location.
