Payload specialists, launchers and other major suppliers and components for Teledesic's global "Internet-in-the-sky" concept will be selected by Boeing by the end of the year.
Boeing is prime contractor for the Teledesic Network which will involve a constellation of 288 low-Earth-orbit satellites providing affordable access to telecommunications services such as broadband Internet, video conferencing and interactive multi-media.
Boeing plans to invest up to $100 million for 10% of the current ownership of Teledesic, a private company with primary investors Craig McGaw (inventor of the cellular phone) and Microsoft chairman, Bill Gates (Flight International, 21-27 May).
"This year we will be concentrating on the satellite payload such as the antennas and high-speed switching package," says executive vice-president and programme manager, John Wolf. "These have the largest impact on the system and user terminals on the ground. We expect to see payload suppliers and system-design work completed this year."
In addition to the basic constellation of 288 spacecraft (12 planes of 24 satellites each), 24 more spares will also be placed in orbit. "Each will last at least ten years," says Teledesic chief executive David Twyver, who adds: "But we do expect to lose a few." The company has taken steps to reduce the effect of the constellation on the proliferation of space debris in orbit. "All launchers and dispensers will burn up, and all the satellites will have enough fuel and the capability to burn themselves up," says Twyver.
The small satellites will be built at a rate of up to four a week in a yet-to-be-determined final-assembly location. Various launchers are under evaluation and at least two or three will be selected.
Up to 17 satellites at a time may be launched on a "heavylifter" such as the Ariane V, whereas a medium-sized launcher (from Boeing's Sea Launch mobile launch site) would lift seven or eight at a time.
Source: Flight International
