This article possibly contains original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed. (December 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

MSAT (Mobile Satellite) is a satellite-based mobile telephony service developed by the National Research Council Canada (NRC). Supported by a number of companies in the US and Canada, MSAT hosts a number of services, including the broadcast of CDGPS signals. The MSAT satellites were built by Hughes (now owned by Boeing) with a 3 kilowatt solar array power capacity and sufficient fuel for a design life of twelve years. TMI Communications of Canada referred to its MSAT satellite as MSAT-1, while American Mobile Satellite Consortium (now Ligado Networks) referred to its MSAT as AMSC-1, with each satellite providing backup for the other.

History

[1]

Phaseout

MSAT-1 and MSAT-2 have had their share of problems. Mobile Satellite Ventures placed the AMSC-1 satellite into a 2.5 degree inclined orbit operations mode in November 2004, reducing station-keeping fuel usage and extending the satellite's useful life.[7]

On January 11, 2006, Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSVLP) (changed name to SkyTerra, then became by acquisition LightSquared, then after bankruptcy Ligado Networks) announced plans to launch a new generation of satellites (in a 3 satellite configuration) to replace the MSAT satellites by 2010. MSV has said that all old MSAT gear would be compatible with the new satellites.[8][9]

Services Delivered via MSAT

The following services are singularly dependent upon the continued operation of the MSAT satellite:

See also

References

  1. ^ "AMSC 1 / M-Sat 1". Gunter's Space Page.
  2. ^ "Florida Today Space and Missile Launch Database". Archived from the original on 2007-03-17. Retrieved 2006-11-26.
  3. ^ a b "AMERICAN MOBILE SATELLITE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES: Form 10-Q". 2006-05-14. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-11-27.
  4. ^ "MSAT-1 TO LAUNCH APRIL 20TH". Archived from the original on 2006-06-24. Retrieved 2006-11-26.
  5. ^ "Boeing: Chronology of Launches". Archived from the original on 2006-12-07. Retrieved 2006-11-26.
  6. ^ "Service Outage - November 30, 2003" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2006-11-26.
  7. ^ "MOTIENT CORP, Form S-1, Filing Date Nov 3, 2005". secdatabase.com. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  8. ^ "Mobile Satellite Ventures Engages Boeing To Develop Next Generation Satellites". Archived from the original on 2006-11-14. Retrieved 2006-11-26.
  9. ^ "Company Fact Sheet: Investor/Financial". Archived from the original on 2006-11-14. Retrieved 2006-11-26.