Matra Marconi Space (MMS) has been awarded a $600 million contract by Constellation Communications of Reston, Virginia, to be prime contractor for the space segment of a low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite system, including delivery in orbit and insurance.
The 12-satellite system, operating in 2,000km equatorial orbits, will provide voice, data, position, location and other mobile services to rural and remote areas of primarily Brazil and more than 100 countries in its global coverage area.
Later, five satellites in each of seven 62 degree inclination orbital planes, could extend coverage to 71 degrees north and south latitudes. The satellites will weigh about 425kg.
Constellation - whose major shareholders include Bell Atlantic and Raytheon E-Systems - and Brazil's Telebras signed a deal in 1995 to operate the system, and MMS formed a consortium of Brazilian firms with which to work in its bid for the project contract.
MMS had already introduced its Leostar 500 spacecraft bus to enter the market for LEO communications, Earth observation and other applications.
The Leostar 500 is compatible with the US Taurus, Delta Lite and Lockheed Martin Launch Vehicle; the Russian Rokot and India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. The spacecraft can weigh 400-800kg, with a payload capability ranging from 100kg to 500kg.
The proposed merger of MMS - Europe's largest space company - with Daimler-Benz Aerospace's (Dasa's) space division was announced on 7 May, creating a formidable space force, called Matra Marconi Dasa Dornier, with a $3 billion turnover. It is expected to be followed by an Alcatel-led merger with Aerospatiale's space interests. Aerospatiale had close links with Dasa, especially with joint manufacture of the Spacebus family.
Source: Flight International
