Third Global Xpress Satellite Enters Service

[Via Satellite 12-03-2015] Inmarsat’s third Global Xpress satellite, Inmarsat 5 F3, successfully completed all in-orbit testing and reached Full Operational Capability (FOC) on Dec. 1, 2015 for government customers. The satellite, launched in August 2015, is at its final orbital position, enabling worldwide coverage with the Ka-band High Throughput Satellite (HTS) system.

Inmarsat has said repeatedly that Global Xpress will reach its full revenue potential once the three-satellite constellation reached completion. The operator expects Global Xpress revenues will achieve a minimum of $500 million within five years of activating global services. Inmarsat has a fourth Global Xpress satellite ordered from Boeing that the operator could launch in 2016.