26 Jul 2013 07:00
INMARSAT CONFIRMS SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF ALPHASAT SATELLITE
26th July, 2013: Inmarsat, (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, confirms the successful launch of the Alphasat satellite.
Alphasat was launched on an Ariane 5 ECA from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana at 20.54hrs BST on 25th July (16.54hrs local time). Arianespace confirmed a successful spacecraft separation at 27 minutes 45 seconds after launch and the Alphasat Mission Operations Team confirmed telemetry reception and that they have command of the satellite at 21.47 BST.
The Alphasat satellite will shortly begin a deployment phase, followed by a period of in-orbit testing. This process is expected to last several weeks before commercial operations can begin. Inmarsat expects to provide an update on the deployment progress when it reports interim results on Friday, 2nd August.
Following the start of commercial operations, Alphasat will provide service to Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Alphasat will augment the existing Inmarsat-4 satellite network, which provides global mobile satellite services in L-band.