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Plans to build a next-generation Inmarsat satellite advanced this week with the signing of a expression of intent amongst Inmarsat, EADS Astrium and the European Space Agency (ESA). A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the parties at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget to build and deploy Alphasat, a spacecraft based on Alphabus, the new European telecommunications platform.
First customer
The signing of the MoU was billed by ESA as a "step towards confirming Inmarsat as the first customer for the Alphabus platform".
ESA, Astrium and Inmarsat still need to complete full contract negotiations. Intentions are, however, to aim for the commencement of the Alphasat programme by the third quarter of 2007, with the satellite available for launch by 2011.
Alphabus is a joint programme initiated by ESA and France's space agency, CNES, to develop a product through a project industrial team comprising EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space.
Commercial operator
ESA is seeking in-orbit validation of the Alphabus platform through a commercial operator.
Inmarsat plans to fly an extended L-band payload, in parallel to and supporting its existing global mobile satellite services.
The satellite is to be positioned at 25 degrees east, covering Africa, Europe, the Middle-East and parts of Asia.