[SatNews] Inmarsat-5 F2 (I-5 F2), the second Global Xpress (GX) satellite, has successfully completed its orbital deployment stages on schedule.

The satellite’s two thermal radiator panels have been successfully deployed and the payload has been switched on marking the beginning of payload testing which will take place from Inmarsat’s GX gateway site in Nemea, Greece. The testing, expected to take three weeks, marks the final phase in the mission for I-5 F2.

 

“These were the final deployments to be performed, signalling the last significant mission risk for the I-5 F2 spacecraft,” said Michele Franci, CTO, Inmarsat. “Once fully tested, the satellite will be moved into its final orbital location where it will become ready for commercial service. We’re very happy with how the mission has progressed and with preparation already underway for the Inmarsat-5 F3 (I-5 F3) launch and mission, we are even closer to turning GX into a truly global service.”

 

Together with Inmarsat-5 F1 and F2, the third GX satellite, I-5 F3, scheduled to launch before the end of Q2, will complete the world’s first fully globally available Ka-band mobile broadband satellite network, through one provider, providing high-throughput services on land, at sea and in the air.