Inmarsat-5 F1

Image: Boeing
Image: Boeing

The Inmarsat-5 F1 commercial communications satellite was built by Boeing Satellite Systems for operation by Inmarsat, UK. The satellite is based on Boeing’s 702HP High Power satellite platform that can host powerful communication payloads.

In its stowed launch configuration, the satellite is 6.98 meters high, 3.59m wide and 3.27m long. Once its large antennas and two power-generating solar arrays are deployed, the satellite measures 6.98 by 8.08 by 33.80 meters in size. It has a launch mass of 6,100 Kilograms and a Beginning-of-Life mass of 3,750 Kilograms.

The two large solar arrays each have five panels that use ultra triple junction gallium arsenide solar cells to provide 15 Kilowatts of power at the beginning of on-orbit operations at 13.8 Kilowatts at the end of the satellite’s service life. Power is stored in dual Li-Ion batteries.

Inmarsat-5 F1 is equipped with a 445-Newton Liquid Apogee Engine that is used for the initial climb to Geostationary Orbit. In addition, the satellite uses four axial 22-Newton Thrusters and four radial 10-Newton thrusters for smaller orbit adjustments, drifting in Geostationary Orbit and attitude maneuvers. Inmarsat-5 F1 also uses an xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS) for orbital maneuvering and stationkeeping which will extend the satellite’s lifetime.

The spacecraft facilitates a total of 89 Ka-Band transponders that create 89 user beams that are generated by 2 transmit and 4 receive apertures. Six steerable spot beams are used to provide flexible communication services.

The communications payload provides flexible global coverage and also includes a hosted Ka- and L-Band payload for use by the US Government.

The Inmarsat-5 F1 satellite will provide global mobile satellite services, including mobile broadband communications for deep-sea vessels, in-flight connectivity for airline passengers and streaming high-resolution video, voice and data. Secure communications can also be provided for government or commercial users.

The satellite has an expected service life of 15 years in Geostationary Orbit.