LightSquared + Boeing… Acceptance Is A Beautiful Thing (Satellite)

[SatNews] LightSquared has successfully completed post launch testing and acceptance of the SkyTerra 1 satellite and Space-Based Network (SBN) from Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems.

Boeing has successfully completed its work on integrating the satellite’s communications with the ground segment to form the first integrated wireless broadband and satellite network. The satellite, among the most powerful commercial satellites ever built, and its state-of-the-art ground based beam-forming system, will provide ubiquitous nationwide coverage and enable integrated satellite-terrestrial service using products that are similar to today’s typical mobile devices in terms of size, capabilities and build costs. Launched on November 14, 2010, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, SkyTerra 1 has a 22-meter L-band antenna and will relay high-data rate radio frequency signals to and from four LightSquared terrestrial gateways located in the United States and Canada.

“The acceptance of our SkyTerra 1 satellite and successful network commissioning is a quantum leap forward toward creation of LightSquared’s next-generation integrated network, the world’s first to combine satellite and terrestrial technologies,” said Sanjiv Ahuja, chairman and chief executive officer for LightSquared. “The LightSquared network will empower our company to offer 4G speed, value and reliability while enabling universal wireless connectivity throughout the United States and Canada. We also would like to commend our partner Boeing and their subcontractors for their dedication and professionalism in successfully delivering a great satellite network.” The LightSquared integrated terrestrial and satellite network is designed to provide wireless mobile services to millions of subscribers across the United States that includes meeting stringent Federal Communications Commission mandates for coverage of more than 90 percent of the United States population by the end of 2015.

From Boeing’s side of the equation, the Company also reported the completion of the post-launch testing and on-orbit handover of the first LightSquared satellite and Space-Based Network (SBN). “Boeing has delivered LightSquared’s SkyTerra 1 satellite after integrating the satellite’s communications with the ground segment to form the first integrated wireless broadband and satellite network,” said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems. “The LightSquared SBN is an end-to-end satellite communications system that draws on Boeing’s proven performance on large-scale integration programs. It demonstrates again that Boeing is the first choice to provide next-generation satellite systems to customers seeking leading-edge communications solutions.” Boeing, the prime contractor for LightSquared’s satellites, built SkyTerra 1 at its integration and test complex in El Segundo. Harris Corp. of Melbourne, Fla., developed the satellite’s L-band reflector. ViaSat‘s Comsat Laboratories in Germantown, Md., provided the ground-based beam-forming equipment, the uplink beacon stations and the ground stations’ control and monitoring system. SED Systems of Saskatoon, Canada, provided the antennas, RF elements and integration services at the gateway stations.