In-Orbit Tests Of Inmarsat I-4 F1 Completed Successfully

CONSTELLATIONS

Illustration of Inmarsat I-4. Credit: EADS Astrium.

Toulouse, France (SPX) May 04, 2005
The Inmarsat-4 F1 satellite has successfully completed in-orbit tests following its launch on 11th March 2005. Early orbit operations have progressed as planned, and all spacecraft functions are performing well.

The spacecraft will now take the next three weeks to be moved from its test location at 8� East longitude to its operational station at 64�E before service commences.

This is the first of three spacecraft built by EADS Astrium for Inmarsat that will provide capacity for existing services and the forthcoming Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service, delivering voice and high-speed data connectivity to mobile users.

In-orbit end-to-end system tests including the ground segment are currently being performed by Inmarsat.

The Inmarsat team in London, supported by engineers from EADS Astrium, took control and began operating the I-4 F1 following its launch into super-synchronous transfer orbit on 11th March 2005.

The satellite experienced its first eclipse just 33 hours after launch, and arrived in geosynchronous orbit on 22nd March, after two apogee burns and two perigee burns.

Following the deployment of its 45m wingspan solar array and 80 square metre antenna reflector, the satellite acquired on-station attitude in nominal solar sailing mode and began using the plasma propulsion system.

After the payload was turned on at the end of March, the first high speed control links were successfully established between the satellite and the access station at Fucino, Italy, through the on-board digital signal processor, and all active hardware has been confirmed as operational.

The satellite is now available for operational use after in-orbit tests have verified that all systems are operating as specified.

This included antenna pattern measurements, passive intermodulation and the testing of main communications parameters, which have been completed successfully. All tests performed so far have shown compliant results for the key performance parameters.

"The flawless operation and testing since launch is a real tribute to all those who have worked so hard to make it happen, and gives us great confidence that the satellite will meet its predicted mission performance," said Michel Le Moine, Inmarsat-4 Project Manager for EADS Astrium.

Franco Carnevale, Programme Director for Inmarsat, said: "I am most impressed by the performance and professionalism of the Inmarsat and EADS Astrium teams, not only for the design, assembly and test of the spacecraft, but also in the running of the in-orbit operations with Inmarsat."

CONSTELLATIONS

Stratos And Inmarsat Announce Tier One BGAN Partnership

London, UK (SPX) Apr 26, 2005
Stratos Global recently announced that it has finalized an agreement with Inmarsat to become a tier one Distribution Partner for Inmarsat's next-generation Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) mobile satellite service, scheduled for commercial launch in late 2005.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.