The Ellipso company has failed to meet its deadline to start development of a mobile communications satellite network and has had its licence revoked by the US Federal Communications Commission.
Washington-based Ellipso planned to launch two constellations with a total of 17 satellites to provide the mobile telephony service in competition with Iridium, Globalstar and ICO, before the collapse of the mobile communications market. The system was to have used patented elliptical orbits.
Boeing was to be Ellipso's major partner, and Ariane 5 boosters had been lined up for the launches.
Source: Flight International
