ICO Global Communications is to campaign to invalidate patents granted to TRW, to protect the "exclusivity" of the US company's "invention" of a satellite system operating in medium-Earth orbit (MEO), to provide global communications to hand-held terminals via ground stations.
Following the receipt of three US and two Taiwanese patents for aspects of its proposed Odyssey satellite system, TRW has won two patents from the European Patent Office and has applied for more, in Japan and South Korea.
ICO, which plans a similar MEO system, says that neither TRW's claimed use of MEO, nor the satellite system, is unique. MEO is used for other satellite systems, including the Navstar global-positioning system.
"It's like [science-fiction writer] Arthur C Clarke claiming a patent for the exclusive use of geostationary orbit for communications satellites," ICO says.
The company adds that there is no similarity between the Odyssey and ICO systems, other than that of the orbit. The Odyssey will involve 12 satellites in 10,350km circular orbits and the ICO system ten, at an altitude of 10,355km. Systems technology, such as feeder links, beams, antennas and spectrum requirements, are different.
Scientific experts are reported to be "-baffled by the completely bizarre" actions of TRW. The ICO project is three years into development, with the first six Hughes-built HS-601 satellites scheduled for launch in 1998-9. Full commercial service, with ten satellites and two in-orbit spares, will be introduced in late 2000.
The TRW-backed Odyssey Communications International programme, with major partner Teleglobe of Canada, is not yet funded, the satellites are not being built and firm launches have not been scheduled.
Two other satellite systems, the Iridium and Globalstar, which will operate in low-Earth orbits with larger satellite constellations, are also funded and heading towards first launches this year and in 1998, respectively (Flight International, 4-10 October, 1995).
TRW's aggressive approach has been explained by industry observers by the culture of its largely military-business background and the growing US trend for litigation. TRW's moves are seen clearly by outsiders as an attempt to slow down ICO, which is ahead in development and implementation of its system. ICO admits that its legal action may take years to complete, but adds that this will not slow down the project.
Source: Flight International
