ILS to Launch Third Inmarsat GX Satellite Next Friday

Artist rendition of the three Inmarsat GX satellites in orbit. Photo: Inmrsat

[Via Satellite 08-17-2015] Inmarsat confirmed that the third satellite in its Global Xpress (GX) program, Inmarsat-5 F3 (I-5 F3), has been scheduled for launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12:44 p.m. (BST) on Friday, Aug. 28. International Launch Services (ILS) will be the launch services provider for this launch using its Proton launch vehicle.

I-5 F3 is the third Global Xpress satellite to be launched. It will cover the Pacific Ocean Region and will, together with Inmarsat-5 F1 and Inmarsat-5 F2, create a global high-speed mobile broadband service, delivered through a single provider.  Boeing Satellite Systems International has built all of Inmarsat’s 5th generation satellites in its California facility. Inmarsat expects to commence global commercial GX services by the end of the year.