Inmarsat-6 F1

Inmarsat-6 F1 is a communications satellite to be operated by the British satellite operator Inmarsat and designed and manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space on the Eurostar 3000EOR satellite bus. Part of the Inmarsat-6 satellite fleet, it will be Inmarsat's first dual-payload satellite, with capabilities in both L-band (ELERA) and Ka-band (Global Xpress). Claimed to be the largest and most sophisticated commercial telecommunications satellite ever launched, as the first of two such vehicles, it was placed into supersynchronous transfer orbit on 22 December 2021.[3]

Inmarsat-6 F1
NamesI6 F1
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorInmarsat
COSPAR ID3021-128A
SATCAT no.50319
Mission duration15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
BusEurostar 3000EOR
ManufacturerAirbus Defence and Space
Launch mass5,470 kg (12,060 lb)
Power21 kW
Start of mission
Launch date22 December 2021, 15:32 UTC[1]
RocketH-IIA 204 (F45)
Launch siteTanegashima, LA-Y1
ContractorMitsubishi Heavy Industries[2]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Transponders
BandL-band (ELERA)
Ka-band (Global Xpress)
 

The platform uses electric propulsion for orbit raising in order to reduce the mass compared to traditional systems. The I-6 satellites will be powered by Safran/Snecma PPS-5000 electric propulsion will then raise the satellite into final geosynchronous orbit and will include two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The design life of the I-6F1 will be 15 years.[4]


Objectives

The L-band payload supports Inmarsat's ELERA communication system, while the Ka-band payload augments the Global Xpress constellation.[5] The L-band capabilities will augment the 10 year old I4 satellite L-band communication systems increasing the network bandwidth by four times. The L-band is primarily used for non-government communication of voice calls, messaging, and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. The Ka-band can support video and other high data rate web transfers used by commercial and government customers. [1]

F2

The F2 satellite was launched in February 2023 and suffered a power system failure in orbit. It not operational and not expected to become operational.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Inmarsat launch initiates a technology refresh". BBC News. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  2. "MHI selected by Inmarsat to launch its first Inmarsat-6 satellite". Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  3. "Satellites". Inmarsat. Retrieved 22 December 2021. The first Inmarsat-6 spacecraft is scheduled for launch with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) at the end of 2021 with the second to follow in 2022.
  4. aerospace-technology. "Inmarsat-6 (I-6) Satellites". Verdict Media Limited. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023.
  5. Krebs, Gunter (24 November 2021). "Inmarsat-6 F1, F2 (GX 6A, 6B)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
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