Inmarsat-5 F2 satellite has reached Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in preparation for its planned launch in early 2015.
It is the second Global (GX) satellite and has been transported from Boeing’s El Segundo facility to Los Angeles International Airport, and then onto Kazakhstan in an Antonov AN-124 heavy transporter.
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Inmarsat-5 F2 is for providing high-speed broadband services across the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean.
Launched at the end of 2013, Inmarsat-5 F1 began commercial services in July this year. It serves Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The third GX satellite, Inmarsat-5 F3, recently underwent final testing and is preparing for shipping to Kazakhstan in early 2015.
Inmarsat-5 F3 is the last spacecraft in the Global Xpress constellation and will offer services over the Pacific Ocean.
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By GlobalDataThe GX constellation is planned to begin commercial services worldwide in the second half of 2015.
Built on Boeing’s 702HP platform, the Inmarsat-5 satellites weigh 6,100kg and have lifespan of 15 years.
The satellites are designed to offer mobile broadband communications for deep sea vessels, in-flight connectivity for airline passengers, streaming high-resolution video, voice and data to the enterprise sector.
Meanwhile, Inmarsat-2 F2 has retired after successful operation for 23.5 years in geostationary orbit.
Built on Airbus Defence and Space’s Eurostar E1000 platform, the satellite was launched aboard a Delta launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in 1991.
Image: Inmarsat-5 F2 has been transported from Boeing’s El Segundo facility. Photo: courtesy of Inmarsat plc.
