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| Science & Technology |
| Sea launch for UK-built satellite |
| 2005-11-06 |
| One of the largest and most powerful commercial satellites in the world is set to blast off on Monday. The UK-built Inmarsat-4 F2 is the second of three satellites designed to improve global communications systems. It will be lifted into orbit by a Zenit-3SL rocket from a sea platform close to the equator. The first satellite, which covers most of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Indian Ocean, was launched from Cape Canaveral in March. The second satellite will improve and extend communications across South America, most of North America, the Atlantic Ocean and part of the Pacific Ocean. Inmarsat-4 F2 will lift off from a floating launchpad close to Christmas Island on the equator. "It will be quite spectacular," said Inmarsat chief operating officer Michael Butler. "In the Pacific Ocean, it will be night time. It will be a very impressive fireworks display but hopefully without the explosions." The sea launch was originally scheduled for Saturday but was delayed 48 hours to allow controllers to investigate technical issues. The two satellites will support the London-based sat-com company's global broadband network - BGan. Their onboard technology is designed to allow people to set up virtual offices anywhere around the world via high-speed broadband connections and new 3G phone technology. The satellites offered broadband for a mobile planet, said Mr Butler. Those set to benefit include business travellers, disaster relief workers and journalists. "It's the newest platform for mobile satellite technology," he said. "It's been described by our scientists as a quantum leap in technology." The two six-tonne spacecraft, each the size of a London bus, should continue functioning for about 15 years. They were largely built at the EADS Astrium facilities in Stevenage and Portsmouth, UK. |
| Posted by:lotp |
| #1 Hmm...IIRC, This is the outfit that uses a converted oil rig for the launch platform. Boeing and others are heavily involved, right? I haven't seen much about these guys in the news, so I guess they must be doing well. |
| Posted by: N guard 2005-11-06 18:20 |