[Satellite Today 01-09-09] ICO Global Communications has completed in-orbit testing of its ICO G1 satellite and testing of its ground based beam forming (GBBF) system, ICO announced Jan. 7. The its space segment and GBBF system now now set for alpha trials of combined satellite-terrestrial mobile services.
    With GBBF, spot beams can be added, removed or reconfigured to the ICO G1 satellite, enabling a satellite to operate from different orbital locations and to adapt to changes in traffic patterns or to provide new applications. Hughes Network Systems developed and implemented the high-speed signal conditioning and processing ground equipment that enables GBBF.
    Space Systems/Loral built ICO G1 and delivered the satellite to ICO in April.