Satellite communications provider Global-IP Cayman has contracted Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) to launch its GiSAT-1 communication satellite.
The first satellite by Global-IP Cayman, GiSAT-1 is a high-throughput satellite (HTS) with capacities of 150Gbps and a mission life of 15 years.
Currently being built by Boeing, the HTS is to be launched late next year aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and deployed into its trajectory for geostationary orbit off the west coast of Africa.
Once launched, the satellite is anticipated to expand cost-effective internet services such as media, digital broadcast and other communications services across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Equipped with a new digital payload, GiSAT-1 will be designed to cover 35 countries and 750 million people.
Global-IP co-founder Emil Youssefzadeh said: “Our agreement with SpaceX marks the completion of another major milestone towards getting our innovative service platform operational to serve a growing market with lagging Internet penetration.”
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By GlobalDataThe company currently has operations in California, US, and Dubai, UAE.
Last month, SpaceX launched the SES-10 satellite into space aboard its flight-proven Falcon 9 rocket.
Owned by satellite operator SES, the satellite is equipped with Ku-band payload of 55 36MHz transponder equivalents, of which 27 are incremental.
The SES-10 will provide direct-to-home broadcasting, enterprise and mobility services to Latin America.
