The three 702HP Ka-band Inmarsat-5 satellites, currently being built by Boeing, will form a constellation to support Inmarsat's Global Xpress network. Global Xpress will provide users in the government, maritime, enterprise, energy, and aeronautical sectors with global communications coverage and mobile broadband speeds of up to 50 megabytes per second. Inmarsat is investing roughly US$1.2 billion in the Global Xpress program, including launch costs.
The Proton vehicle, considered Russia's heavy-lift launcher, is built by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, the majority owner of ILS and a leader in the Russian space industry, says a company representative.
"Selecting a launch services provider is a critical part of realizing our Global Xpress vision," says Andrew Sukawaty, chairman and CEO of Inmarsat. "Our agreement with ILS shows that we are well on track with our aggressive program for Global Xpress, with service planned to start in 2013. We have partnered with ILS and Khrunichev for previous launches, and look forward to a successful campaign for Inmarsat-5."
