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CX2SA > SAT 09.11.05 07:09l 68 Lines 2906 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 57991_CX2SA
Read: GUEST
Subj: All go for giant comms satell.
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0MRW<DB0WUE<DK0WUE<DB0RES<ON0AR<HS1LMV<CX2SA
Sent: 051109/0456Z @:CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA #:57991 [Minas] FBB7.00e $:57991_CX2SA
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA
To : SAT@WW
All go for giant comms satellite
================================
Inmarsat-4 F2, one of the largest and most powerful communications satellites
ever built, has succesfully launched from a floating pad in the Pacific.
The six-tonne UK-built craft was carried aloft by a Zenit-3SL rocket at
approximately 1407 GMT on Tuesday.
The launch had twice been postponed after a software glitch stopped the
countdown sequence on Saturday.
Inmarsat-4 F2 is designed to improve broadband and 3G communications,
principally in the Americas.
It is the second in a planned two-satellite constellation.
The first spacecraft launched in March covers most of Europe, Africa, the
Middle East, Asia and the Indian Ocean.
The new satellite will improve and extend communications across South America,
most of North America, the Atlantic Ocean and part of the Pacific Ocean.
The two satellites will support the London-based Inmarsat 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.
Those set to benefit include business travellers, disaster relief workers and
journalists.
Andrew Sukawaty, CEO and chairman of Inmarsat, said: "The successful launch of
the second I-4 satellite means that Inmarsat now has the world's most
sophisticated commercial network for mobile voice and data services.
"It will support an unprecedented evolution of our services - more than
doubling the bandwidth available to our mobile users."
The spacecraft, each the size of a London bus, should continue functioning for
about 15 years. They were built largely at the EADS-Astrium facilities in
Stevenage and Portsmouth, UK.
The Inmarsat-4 F2 was launched from waters close to Kiritimati (Christmas
Island) on the equator.
It used the innovative Sea Launch system, which employs a converted oil
drilling platform as a launch pad. The pad is moved into position from its
California base.
Sea Launch is a joint venture between American, Russian, Ukrainian and
Norwegian companies.
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