I-4 F3 satellite testing successfully completed

The Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite has successfully completed in-orbit tests that confirm its onboard systems are performing as required to provide commercial service. The new addition to the Inmarsat-4 (I-4) fleet has now begun the journey to its final on-station location at 98 degrees west, where it is currently scheduled to enter service on 7 January 2009. The I-4 F3 will be positioned more directly over the Americas than the I-4 F2 spacecraft currently serving the region.

 

Elevation angles
Once in service, the I-4 F3 will provide BGAN users in North and South America with improved elevation angles from their terminals, resulting in optimised data rates. It will also focus a greater concentration of spot beams over the two continents, further enhancing quality of service for BGAN users. And coverage of North America will be extended to include parts of Western Canada and Alaska for the first time.

 

I-4 Americas
When it enters service on 7 January the F3 will become known as the I-4 Americas satellite to reflect the landmass that it covers. Traffic will be routed to and from the terrestrial networks via a new Inmarsat satellite access station (SAS) in Hawaii. As reported in the last issue of Connect eNews, Inmarsat will then reposition the other two I-4 spacecraft.

The repositioning of the satellites, which is designed to optimise the network for  global I-4 coverage, is currently scheduled to take place from 7 January to 24 February 2009.