TerreStar will launch satellite July 1

TerreStar Networks, which is planning an all-IP [1]integrated satellite terrestrial network in North America, will launch the TerreStar-1 satellite July 1. The satellite has arrived in French Guiana and is being prepared for launch aboard Arianespace's Ariane 5 heavy lift launch vehicle.

TerreStar-1 was initially supposed to launch June 24 but that launch date was pushed back so the company could perform further testing of the S-band payload. TerreStar says it has concluded an on-orbit anomaly that occurred recently on another operator's satellite has no bearing on the flight worthiness of TerreStar-1.

TerreStar-1 is the largest commercial communications satellite to be launched. It was commissioned by Space Systems/Loral and will use the 2-GHz spectrum with an antenna that stretches 60 feet across when fully opened. 

The company plans to offer a wholesale business model with priority access for first responders and allow other wireless carriers, third party developers and portal companies to use its 4G network.

For more:
- See this press release [1]

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