[Satnews] A Boeing satellite equipped with antennas manufactured by Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) was successfully launched August 28, 2015 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, onboard a Proton rocket.

 

The constellation of three Boeing satellites support Inmarsat’s Global Xpress network — the world’s first globally available, high-bandwidth, Ka-band network delivered by a single operator.  Two satellites are already in orbit and operational.  The third satellite, launched August 28, 2015, completes the Global Xpress constellation, which is expected to begin providing global commercial service by the end of the year.

 

In orbit, the Harris antennas will direct 89 Ka-band user spot beams to the Earth, creating a unique, mobile broadband network with high-speed services for diverse applications — from deep-sea vessels to in-flight connectivity for airline passengers.  Additional spot beams are available to provide other applications.

The Global Xpress antennas are part of Harris’ flight-proven gimbal dish antenna systems, which enable beams to be steered to accommodate changing or increasing user demands.  Harris has more than 35 years of experience designing, building and flying spaceborne antennas for government and commercial applications.  Products include unfurlable mesh reflectors, gimbaled dish antennas and phased array antennas.

Executive Comment

 

“The Harris antennas are important components in the Global Xpress constellation, which is now poised to provide global coverage,” said Bill Gattle, president, Harris Space and Intelligence Systems.  “These specialized antennas provide a discriminating solution in support of the rapidly developing high-throughput satellite market.”