LightSquared Next Gen SkyTerra 1 Satellite Launched

LightSquared's SkyTerra 1 satellite was successfully launched into orbit on an ILS Proton rocket from Kazakhstan. The SkyTerra 1 satellite, weighing over 5.3 metric tons, was placed into geostationary transfer orbit. It was the first satellite launch for LightSquared.


The satellite is based on the Boeing 702HP design and it will combine with four gateway ground stations and ground-based beam-forming equipment to create the first of two Space-Based Networks (SBN) that Boeing is building for LightSquared (formerly SkyTerra). The satellite features a 22-meter L-band reflector-based antenna -- the largest commercial antenna reflector to be put into service. The active phased-array antenna will offer state-of-the-art digital signal processing, channel formation and switching.


"At LightSquared, our goal is to revolutionize wireless communications and our timeline to do that is very aggressive. We knew we could count on ILS and ILS Proton to help us maintain a steady pace with an on-time launch. The ILS Proton launch of the SkyTerra 1 satellite is an important step toward bringing mobile wireless services that are accessible anytime, anywhere, throughout the United States. We are grateful to the entire team of dedicated professionals who worked on the SkyTerra 1 launch," said Sanjiv Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of LightSquared.
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