BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan – A Proton Breeze M launch vehicle successfully lifted the Inmarsat-4 F3 satellite into orbit on 19 August, marking the third mission of the year for International Launch Services (ILS). This brings the introduction of the Inmarsat Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) closer to reality for New Zealand and the Pacific.
Many readers will be aware that broadband satellite coverage is currently pretty limited in the Pacific region. Several agencies in New Zealand have purchased the hardware in anticipation of BGAN services becoming available. We have left space in our mobile office for the BGAN unit but will only purchase the equipment once the service is available. This launch, which was delayed following issues with the launch vehicle earlier this year, is really exciting for emergency management in isolated or challenging communications environments.
I'll keep you posted on our purchase programme and the tests that we undertake with partner agencies with this capability. If you're really keen, you might like to watch the launch webcast here.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment