By
Alex Smith |
Inmarsat has successfully launched its latest I-6 F2 spacecraft from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The I-6 F2 reached a top speed of almost 40,000 kilometres per hour as it left Earth above central Africa. The satellite will now spend several months travelling in its geostationary orbit, 36,000 kilometres above the equator, using its onboard electric propulsion system. It is scheduled to connect its first customers in 2024 following in-orbit technical testing.
I-6 F2 follows its twin, I-6 F1, which launched from Japan in late 2021. The two satellites will provide an upgrade to Inmarsat’s global coverage services and operate for at least 15 years. The new satellites will also add further capabilities to Inmarsat’s Orchestra communications network, a global, multi-dimensional, dynamic mesh network. I-6 F1 is scheduled to connect its first customers later in 2023.
Alongside the 1-6s, Inmarsat will further add five more spacecraft to its fleet by 2025 as part of its technology roadmap.
“I want to extend my profound thanks and appreciation to our dedicated employees and partners who have made this launch a reality,” said Rajeev Suri, CEO of Inmarsat. “Our I-6 programme has been six years in the making. Last week’s launch marked another milestone as we revolutionise global communications at scale.”