Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has begun construction of TerreStar Network's TerreStar-1, the first satellite able to communicate with standard wireless devices such as cellphones.
The S-band satellite is set to be operational by the end of 2008, and a second is on option.
TerreStar-1 will provide 2GHz mobile voice and data communications services across North America, using an unfurlable reflector antenna 18m (60ft) in diameter and capable of generating hundreds of spot beams. The satellite will be located in geosynchonous orbit at 107.3° west – an orbital slot licensed to Canadian joint-venture partner TMI Communications.
McLean, Virginia-based Terre-Star shares owners with Mobile Satellite Ventures, which has two L-band communication satellites – the Boeing-built MSAT-1 and -2 – operational at 106.5°W and 101°W respectively.
Source: Flight International
