An 18-meter antenna reflector built by Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) for the geosynchronous TerreStar (Nasdaq: TSTR) global communications satellite was successfully deployed on orbit on July 12, 2009. The large size of the reflector, compared to more traditional 9- or 12-meter designs, will help to ensure broad coverage and 24/7 delivery of mobile voice, data and video services directly to mobile devices and vehicles in the continental U.S. and Canada, as well as Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
Harris provided the reflector and the onboard articulating boom to Space Systems/Loral, which designed and built the TerreStar-1 satellite for TerreStar Networks Inc. The Harris reflector features a unique design that allows it to be stowed in a smaller space, while still providing increased antenna gain and the improved performance levels required for mobile, interactive media services. The reflector features a gold-plated mesh reflective surface and a unique design that maximizes antenna gain while reducing stowed volume and antenna mass. During the satellite’s launch by Arianespace from French Guiana on July 1st, the Harris reflector was stowed onboard much like an umbrella. Once on orbit, Space Systems/Loral controllers executed a series of maneuvers, and sent the commands to deploy the articulating boom and then unfurl the reflector. On orbit tests have confirmed that the reflector is fully deployed in its intended position.
The TerreStar-1 satellite features an innovative, S-band payload that enables delivery of two-way mobile voice, data and video services directly to conventionally sized mobile terminals. The Harris antenna reflector makes it possible for the TerreStar-1 satellite to focus the 2 GHz S-band signals on the United States and Canada in order to provide these Mobile Satellite Services (MSS). The S-band antenna and payload are part of a hybrid infrastructure that combines an all-IP satellite and smartphone technology with terrestrial networks.
