Boeing announced that it has received a contract for approximately $1 billion from the government of Mexico to deliver an end-to-end satellite communications system. The system, known as MEXSAT, will consist of three satellites, two ground sites, associated network operations systems and reference user terminals. MEXSAT will provide secure communications for Mexico’s national security needs, as well as enhanced coverage for the country’s civil telecommunications.
“MEXSAT is the fourth generation of satellites Boeing has provided to Mexico for government and civilian satellite communications,” said Craig Cooning, chief executive officer of Boeing Satellite Systems International. “MEXSAT builds on Boeing’s 13 years of experience in designing and delivering advanced geomobile systems.”
Under the contract, Boeing will deliver a complete turnkey satellite system comprised of Boeing 702HP geomobile satellites MEXSAT-1 and MEXSAT-2 and one extended C- and Ku-band satellite, MEXSAT-3, which will provide fixed satellite services from geosynchronous orbit. MEXSAT-3 is scheduled to launch first, at the end of 2012.
Each Boeing 702HP satellite will supply 14 kilowatts of power through five-panel solar array wings that use high-efficiency, ultra triple-junction gallium arsenide solar cells. Both satellites will carry a 22-meter L-band reflector for mobile satellite services, complemented by a 2-meter Ku-band antenna.
Boeing will procure MEXSAT-3 and a spacecraft operations center from its supplier partner Orbital Sciences Corporation [NYSE: ORB]. 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.
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 that serve Mexico, beginning with Morelos 1 and Morelos 2, both launched in 1985; the Solidaridad 1 and Solidaridad 2 satellites, launched in 1993 and 1994; and Satmex 5, which was 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.
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