Jane Edwards
Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce has said the company has launched a new program that aims to develop new spacecraft to build up its fleets of Ka– and L-band satellites in an effort to meet demand, SpaceNews reported Thursday.
Pearce said Wednesday at an earnings call that the GX Flex program, which is now in the request for information phase, is driven by demand “across multiple geographies and verticals.â€
Three Inmarsat satellites are now in the construction phase. Thales Alenia Space develops a Ka-band satellite for Inmarsat – GX-5 – that is set for launch in 2019. Airbus’ defense and space business currently works on two Ka- and L-band satellites – Inmarsat 6 – that are scheduled to lift off between 2020 and 2021.
Pearce also discussed the company’s European Aviation Network and the extension of the Wideband Global Satcom satellite program.
