LeoSat and Thales Alenia Space continue to partner on feasibility study for LeoSat’s Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation providing high-speed broadband services
Cannes, June 15, 2015 - LeoSat and Thales Alenia Space today announced they have decided to carry on with conducting the feasibility study for LeoSat’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, which will provide high-speed, low-latency, cost-effective broadband services worldwide.
This study phase, started nine months ago, has already resulted in a preliminary system design for the LeoSat constellation. LeoSat and Thales Alenia Space will continue their joint examination of innovative technical and industrial solutions based on Thales Alenia Space’s flight proven expertise to design, develop and build complex LEO constellation systems. In the coming months, LeoSat and Thales Alenia Space will assess architecture and performance of the overall system, including both the ground and space segments.
The LeoSat constellation is initially planned to include 80 to 120 high-powered, Ka-band satellites in LEO, providing worldwide coverage specifically for large private corporations and government agencies. Its cost-effective, extremely high-speed, low-latency, strongly-secured data network is intended to set new standards in satellite performance. The system provides point-to-point data connections to and from anywhere on Earth without the need for any interstitial terrestrial landings or transport.
The data will be able to travel in its native form, but is encrypted and secured from end to end. The satellites will fly in polar orbits at an altitude of approximately 1,400 kilometers, forming a global, private data network via high-speed inter-satellite links. Each satellite will be fitted with a dozen steerable spot beams, providing an aggregate throughout of greater than 10 Gbps.
“Thales Alenia Space is very proud to team with LeoSat on the feasibility of its exciting new LEO constellation,” said Jean Loïc Galle, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “We will provide LeoSat with all our experience and expertise based on our work with O3b and Iridium NEXT around complex system validation, industrial challenges and cost efficiency versus performance.”
The feasibility study is expected to be completed by July. LeoSat expects to be ready to contract for its satellite constellation development within about a year, with the launch taking place in 2019 or 2020.
About LeoSat Inc.
LeoSat Inc. is leveraging the latest developments in satellite communication technologies for both its satellite constellation and its mobile, fixed and portable ground segment equipment and services. The company will operate on a worldwide basis with regional partners and distributors. For more information please visit www.leosat.us.
LeoSat Press Contact:
Colleen Moffitt
Email: colleen@communiquepr.com
Phone: 206-282-4923 ext. 113
Mobile: 206-979-4696
About Thales Alenia Space
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%), is a key European player in space telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, exploration and orbital infrastructures. Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio form the two parent companies' “Space Alliance”, which offers a complete range of services and solutions. Because of its unrivaled expertise in dual (civil/military) missions, constellations, flexible payloads, altimetry, meteorology and high-resolution optical and radar instruments, Thales Alenia Space is the natural partner to countries that want to expand their space program. The company posted consolidated revenues in excess of 2 billion euros in 2014, and has 7,500 employees in eight countries. www.thalesaleniaspace.com
Thales Alenia Space Press Contacts:
Sandrine Bielecki
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 70 94
sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com
Chrystelle Dugimont
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 74 06
chrystelle.dugimont@thalesaleniaspace.com