Inmarsat GX5 is live

Mission

Inmarsat's fifth Global Xpress satellite, GX5, was launched by Arianespace from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana on 26 November 2019.

The Very High Throughput Satellite (V-HTS) reached its final orbital slot of 11E in geostationary orbit, 35,786km (22,236 miles) above Earth, on 17 August 2020.

Facts

GX5 represents a significant advance in Global Xpress capabilities, delivering more capacity than the entire existing GX fleet (GX1-4) combined.

GX5 is 25% smaller than the rest of the fleet and was delivered in just over two years from order to launch, a significant increase in speed.

GX5 is the first satellite to support next-generation GX terminals, which begin roll out in 2021, and is fully backward-compatible with existing terminals.

4,000kg

launch mass

(approx.)

16 years

mission lifespan

4,000kg

launch mass

(approximately)

16 years

mission lifespan

Solar array wingspan: 33 metres

3 panels of triple-junction gallium arsenide solar cells

72 Ka-band fixed spot beams antennas for Receive and Transmit

Body: approximately 5 metres

16 chemical 10N station-keeping thrusters (scattered around satellite body)

4 steerable beams

Global Xpress

Global Xpress (GX) is the world's first and only globally available, seamless and highly reliable mobile broadband network.

Serving organisations worldwide since 2015, today Global Xpress has established itself as the only true broadband communications solution across the fastest growing sectors for mobile connectivity: aviation passenger Wi-Fi, commercial maritime and government.

Operating in the Ka-band, Global Xpress also integrates seamlessly with our L-band network to deliver powerful and reliable connectivity anytime, anywhere.

9

MAJOR INDUSTRY AWARDS WON BY GLOBAL XPRESS

10000

FLEET XPRESS VESSEL INSTALLATIONS DRIVING MARITIME DIGITALISATION

800

BUSINESS JETS HAVE BUSINESS AVIATION SOLUTION JET CONNEX ONBOARD

32

LEADING AIRLINES SIGNED UP FOR GX AVIATION SERVICE CONTRACTS

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GX Transformation

GX5 marks the next step in Inmarsat's fully funded technology roadmap that will see the capabilities, capacity and agility of Global Xpress totally transformed - both for new and existing customers - with a further seven launches planned by 2024:

*The GX satellite launch dates are given as a guide only and are subject to confirmation by launch provider

Advanced Ka-band payloads will be hosted on our next generation Inmarsat-6 (I-6) L-band satellites, GX6A & 6B, for the coming 5G era
GX7, 8 & 9 will transform the way we design, deliver and operate our infrastructure, from satellites and ground stations, to terminals and network management
Two satellite payloads, GX10A & 10B, will be placed into Highly Elliptical Orbits (HEO), ensuring continuous coverage above 65degrees North and enhanced Arctic capabilities

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