BOEING-BUILT ICO SATELLITE SCHEDULED TO LAUNCH
LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 12, 2001 -- A specially modified Boeing 601 model satellite is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on June 19 on an Atlas IIAS vehicle. The two-hour launch window opens at 12:41 a.m. EDT, (4:41 a.m. GMT and 9:41 p.m. PDT, June 18).
The modified Boeing 601 satellite was built for ICO Global Communications, Uxbridge, England, by Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. (BSS), a unit of The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA). The satellite is one of 15 under contract for construction by BSS. The launch will be managed by International Launch Services.
“This satellite design incorporates a number of unique design features,” said Randy H. Brinkley, president of BSS. “The satellites carry more computing power than 600 Pentium III-based computers. They feature innovative transmit and receive antennas allowing direct air link to users and use a ‘smart processor’ capable of adapting beam configuration to match demand. These features give ICO unprecedented flexibility to meet ever-changing market demands on a global basis.”
ICO’s satellite constellation will consist of 10 active satellites in two planes of medium-Earth orbit at an altitude of 10,390 kilometers (6,456 statute miles). The orbits will be inclined at 45 degrees to the equator with each plane having five operational satellites plus one spare. Initially, ICO will use this satellite for testing of the integration of its space and ground systems, and will integrate it with the full constellation.
“This launch achieves one of our most important milestones,” said Greg Clarke, ICO chief executive officer. “It sets us on a course to build out this system and offer a range of unique services to the market.”
ICO satellites will carry an integrated C- and S-band payload - with a total of 5,100 watts of power and a peak effective isotropic radiated power of 58 dBW - to support 4,500 simultaneous telephone calls. An onboard narrow band digital processor will perform channelization, routing and beam-forming of the S-band payload.
The ICO satellites are 25 percent taller than the typical Boeing 601s, bringing the new design to roughly 16 feet high (5 meters). The added height accommodates the innovative transmit and receive antennas. The satellites also have a pair of four-panel solar wings, with dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells. The solar arrays will provide 8,900 watts of end-of-life power.
ICO Global Communications was established in January 1995 to provide global mobile personal communications services by satellite. Controlling shareholder is an investor group led by wireless pioneer Craig McCaw. ICO plans to offer the satellite equivalent of third-generation (3G) wireless services, including mobile voice, wireless Internet and other packet-data services.
Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc., is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites, and is also a major provider of space systems, satellites, and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications.
The Boeing Company, headquartered in Seattle, is the largest aerospace company in the world and the United States' leading exporter. It is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles, and advanced information and communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia.
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BOEING SATELLITE SYSTEMS, INC.
Public Relations Department
P.O. Box 92919 (S10/S323)
Los Angeles, CA 90009
Public Relations 310-364-6363
www.boeing.com/satellite
ICO press contacts:
Michael Johnson +441895 205 286
Kelly Riley +441895 205 285
BSS press contact:
George Torres, 310-364-5777
george.torres@boeing.com
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