Satellite Technology Feature Article
December 21, 2009
Orbital Receives New Contract for Intelsat IS-23 Communications Satellite
By Anil Sharma, TMCnet Contributor
Orbital Sciences Corporation, a space technology company, reportedly has been selected by Intelsat, S.A., a provider of fixed satellite services, to design, build and deliver the Intelsat (News - Alert) 23 commercial communications satellite.
Orbital officials said that the satellite will be based on the company’s flight-proven STAR (News - Alert)-2 platform. The spacecraft will provide communications services for the Americas, Europe and Africa.
“We are very appreciative of Intelsat’s order for the IS-23 satellite and for the continued business from one of our most valued customers,” said Michael Larkin, executive vice president and general manager of Space Systems Group, Orbital, in a statement.
Larkin said that the entire satellite design, manufacturing and testing team is dedicated to producing highly reliable satellites on the industry’s shortest delivery schedule each and every time. Intelsat’s selection of Orbital for the IS-23 program affirms their long-standing confidence in the smaller-sized STAR platform, he said.
The IS-23 satellite is one of 10 Orbital spacecraft ordered by Intelsat since 2001 that are either now in orbit or in production for upcoming launches.
TMCnet in September reported that Intelsat has entered into a multi-year agreement where the company will supply global Ku- and C-band transmission facilities for CBM Communications LLC, an affiliate of Marine Technologies, LLC.
Intelsat officials said that CBM/MT/C-Comm will launch its Global Broadband IP platform using capacity on eight satellites and the company’s GlobalConnex Network Broadband managed service, which leverages the company’s global teleport, fiber and satellite network.
Officials said that the company’s global infrastructure will let CBM provide secure file transfers, content management and on-demand connectivity applications to its maritime customers through its affiliate MT/C-Comm products and services.
Earlier in July, TMCnet had reported that Intelsat Ltd. selected Boeing to build four telecommunication satellites that will refresh and add new capacity to Intelsat's global satellite fleet.
This contract, of which financial details were not disclosed, is the first order for Boeing's (News - Alert) 702B satellite series.
Anil Sharma is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Anil’s articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Amy Tierney
