21 December 2010

Boeing to supply more GaAs PV powered satellites to Mexico

Boeing (the parent firm of III-V-based solar cell maker Spectrolab Inc of Sylmar, CA, USA) has received a contract worth about $1bn from the government of Mexico to deliver an end-to-end satellite communications system, providing secure communications for the country’s national security needs as well as enhanced coverage for civil telecoms.

The MEXSAT system will consist of three satellites, two ground sites, associated network operations systems and reference user terminals.

Boeing will deliver a complete turnkey satellite system comprising Boeing 702HP geomobile satellites MEXSAT-1 and MEXSAT-2 and one extended C- and Ku-band satellite, MEXSAT-3 (due to launch first, at the end of 2012), which will provide fixed satellite services from geosynchronous orbit.

Each Boeing 702HP satellite will supply 14kW of power through five-panel solar array wings that use triple-junction gallium arsenide solar cells. Both satellites will carry a 22m L-band reflector for mobile satellite services, complemented by a 2m Ku-band antenna.

Boeing will procure MEXSAT-3 and a spacecraft operations center from its supplier partner Orbital Sciences Corp. MEXSAT-3, an Orbital Star 2.4 satellite, will provide full coverage of Mexico and its patrimonial seas and relay civil communications for socioeconomic development.

“MEXSAT is the fourth generation of satellites Boeing has provided to Mexico for government and civilian satellite communications,” says Craig Cooning, CEO of Boeing Satellite Systems International. “MEXSAT builds on Boeing’s 13 years of experience in designing and delivering advanced geomobile systems.”

Boeing also will develop two ground sites in Mexico with advanced beam-forming flexibility to direct mobile user spot beams to government agencies operating in Mexico and its patrimonial seas, including the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Boeing has previously provided five satellites serving Mexico, beginning with Morelos 1 and Morelos 2 (both launched in 1985); Solidaridad 1 and Solidaridad 2 (launched in 1993 and 1994); and Satmex 5 (launched in 1998). Solidaridad 2, which has exceeded its contract life, is still in service, and Satmex 5 is expected to end its service life in 2012.

See related items:

Spectrolab produces 3 millionth multi-junction space solar cell

Tags: Spectrolab GaAs PV

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