FCC, Industry Canada Approve TerreStar Milestone Extension

[10-04-07 – Satellite Today] The  U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted a request by  TerreStar Networks Inc. for an extension of the launch milestone for its TerreStar-1 satellite from November to September 2008, TerreStar announced Oct. 3.

TerreStar requested the extension because of manufacturing and delivery issues experienced by satellite manufacturer Space Systems/Loral, which notified TerreStar that delivery of the satellite would be delayed 10 months due to problems with the S-band low noise amplifiers, oscillators and feed array. The satellite is scheduled to be delivered to TerreStar in August 2008.

On Sept. 21, Industry Canada granted a request by TerreStar Networks (Canada) Inc. for a parallel extension of its milestone requirement under Canadian law.

"This regulatory clarity allows us to maintain momentum in building and operating North America’s first 4G integrated mobile satellite and terrestrial mobile communications network,”Robert Brumley, president and CEO of TerreStar, said in a statement.