First Boeing Built Inmarsat-5 Satellite Completes On-Orbit Testing

Boeing's first of four satellites for Inmarsat's Global Xpress network, has passed all of its on-orbit testing and has now been handed over to Inmarsat.

The high-speed mobile broadband satellite, launched on 8 December, will support a wide range of government and commercial customer uses, including in-flight connectivity, communications for vessels at sea, streaming video and other voice and data services.

"This is an important milestone for Global Xpress," said Rupert Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat. "The testing of the Boeing built platform and payload has been completed and shown to meet all the specifications. This is a testament to the dedication of Inmarsat’s Global Xpress team and the skill and professionalism of our partners: Boeing and iDirect."

Boeing is under contract to build four Inmarsat-5 satellites, with two more scheduled for completion and launch by the close of 2014. The fourth satellite is scheduled to be delivered in 2016.

The Inmarsat-5 satellites carry a secondary payload that Boeing Commercial Satellite Services will lease to potential government customers through a reseller agreement with Inmarsat.