Boeing-Built ICO Satellite Scheduled to Launch.Business Editors & High-Tech Writers NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos are available in a Smart News Release(TM) on Business Wire's Home Page at www.businesswire.com and at www.newstream.com LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2001 A specially modified Boeing 601 model satellite is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on June 19 on an Atlas IIAS IIAS International Institute for Asian Studies IIAS International Institute of Administrative Sciences IIAS Inventory Information Approval System IIAS Indian Institute of Advanced Study IIAS International Internet Associate Symposium IIAS International Internet Advertising Services vehicle. The two-hour launch window opens at 12:41 a.m. EDT EDT abbr. Eastern Daylight Time EDT Eastern Daylight Time EDT n abbr (US) (= Eastern Daylight Time) → hora de verano de Nueva York EDT (4:41 a.m. GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) See UTC. GMT - Universal Time 1 and 9:41 p.m. PDT PDT abbr. Pacific Daylight Time PDT Pacific Daylight Time PDT n abbr (US) (= Pacific Daylight Time) → hora de verano del Pacífico PDT , June 18). The modified Boeing 601 satellite was built for ICO Global Communications, Uxbridge, England, by Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. (BSS See 802.11. BSS - Block Started by Symbol ), a unit of The Boeing Company (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :BA). The satellite is one of 15 under contract for construction by BSS. The launch will be managed by International Launch Services International Launch Services (or ILS) was formed in 1995 as a private spaceflight partnership between the United States defense contractor Lockheed Martin (LM) (LM sold their part later) and the Russian firms Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center and RSC . "This satellite design incorporates a number of unique design features," said Randy H. Brinkley, president of BSS. "The satellites carry more computing power than 600 Pentium III-based computers. They feature innovative transmit and receive antennas allowing direct air link to users and use a `smart processor' capable of adapting beam configuration to match demand. These features give ICO unprecedented flexibility to meet ever-changing market demands on a global basis." ICO's satellite constellation will consist of 10 active satellites in two planes of medium-Earth orbit at an altitude of 10,390 kilometers (6,456 statute miles). The orbits will be inclined at 45 degrees to the equator with each plane having five operational satellites plus one spare. Initially, ICO will use this satellite for testing of the integration of its space and ground systems, and will integrate it with the full constellation. "This launch achieves one of our most important milestones," said Greg Clarke, ICO chief executive officer. "It sets us on a course to build out this system and offer a range of unique services to the market." ICO satellites will carry an integrated C- and S-band payload -- with a total of 5,100 watts of power and a peak effective isotropic radiated power of 58 dBW -- to support 4,500 simultaneous telephone calls. An onboard narrow band digital processor will perform channelization chan·nel·ize tr.v. chan·nel·ized, chan·nel·iz·ing, chan·nel·iz·es 1. To make, form, or cut channels in. 2. To direct through a channel. , routing and beam-forming of the S-band payload. The ICO satellites are 25 percent taller than the typical Boeing 601s, bringing the new design to roughly 16 feet high (5 meters). The added height accommodates the innovative transmit and receive antennas. The satellites also have a pair of four-panel solar wings, with dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells. The solar arrays will provide 8,900 watts of end-of-life power. ICO Global Communications was established in January 1995 to provide global mobile personal communications services See PCS. by satellite. Controlling shareholder is an investor group led by wireless pioneer Craig McCaw. ICO plans to offer the satellite equivalent of third-generation (3G) wireless services, including mobile voice, wireless Internet and other packet-data services. Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc., is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites, and is also a major provider of space systems, satellites and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications. The Boeing Company, headquartered in Seattle, is the largest aerospace company in the world and the United States' leading exporter. It is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, and the largest NASA NASA: see National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA in full National Aeronautics and Space Administration Independent U.S. contractor. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles, and advanced information and communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. Note: Photos are available at URL URL in full Uniform Resource Locator Address of a resource on the Internet. The resource can be any type of file stored on a server, such as a Web page, a text file, a graphics file, or an application program. : http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.061201/bb1 http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/photo.cgi?pw.061201/bb1a |
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