PALO ALTO, Calif., 11 April 2005. Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) today announced that it has completed design reviews of TerreStar Networks, Inc.'s geostationary satellite, TerreStar-1, and entered into the construction phase of the Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) program.
The TerreStar satellite, together with an Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC), will provide next-generation, 2-GHz mobile voice and data communications, monitoring and messaging services throughout the United States.
Scheduled for delivery in 2007, TerreStar-1 has a service life of 15 years and will carry a state-of-the-art MSS payload featuring a large unfurlable reflector. The satellite will be capable of generating hundreds of spot beams covering the Continental U.S., Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. SS/L's contract with TerreStar also includes an option for construction of a second satellite, TerreStar-2.
An FCC decision earlier this year opened the door for TerreStar Networks, and other select satellite operators, to incorporate an ATC with its satellite-delivered communications service. The previously unavailable 2-GHz frequency band will allow MSS operators to provide advanced mobile voice and data services. These services will be enhanced by ATC technology, which allows for coverage in areas where a satellite's signal could be blocked, including urban canyons, dense forest or other areas out of the satellite's line-of- sight.
"SS/L has taken a leadership position in the development of 2-GHz MSS satellites, which are at the heart of next generation mobile services," said C. Patrick DeWitt, president, Space Systems/Loral. "Together with our experience on other 2-GHz systems, the TerreStar award positions SS/L as the industry leader in the design and development of some of the world's most advanced mobile communication systems."
TerreStar-1 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 more than 1,100 years of reliable on- orbit service.
Headquartered in McLean, Va., TerreStar Networks Inc. is an emerging provider of advanced mobile satellite services in North America with plans to develop, build and operate an innovative and spectrum-efficient spot beam satellite network in the 2 GHz frequency band. The TerreStar investor group includes Motient Corp., SkyTerra Communications, TMI Communications, Columbia Capital, and Spectrum Equity Investors. For more information, see www.terrestarnetworks.com.
Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, is a designer, manufacturer, and integrator of powerful satellites and satellite systems. SS/L also provides a range of related services that include mission control operations and procurement of launch services. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., the company has an international base of commercial and governmental customers whose applications include broadband digital communications, direct-to-home broadcast, defense communications, environmental monitoring, and air traffic control. SS/L is ISO 9001:2000 certified. For more information, see www.ssloral.com.
Loral Space & Communications is a satellite communications company. In addition to Space Systems/Loral, through its Skynet subsidiary Loral owns and operates a fleet of telecommunications satellites used to broadcast video entertainment programming, and for broadband data transmission, Internet services and other value-added communications services. For more information, see www.loral.com.
