United Kingdom | December 8, 2016– Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the world’s leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, has today signed a contract with Arianespace to launch its S-band satellite for the European Aviation Network (EAN) on an Ariane 5 heavy lift launch vehicle. The EAN payload is part of a ‘condosat’ constructed by Thales Alenia Space, which incorporates a second payload for Hellas-Sat. The condosat is scheduled to be launched from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana in mid-2017.

The condosat was originally scheduled for launch with SpaceX. However, following the delay in SpaceX’s launch schedule, Inmarsat and Hellas-Sat took the decision to move the condosat to an Arianespace launch.

Inmarsat will launch Inmarsat-5 F4, a Global Xpress (GX) satellite, with SpaceX. This launch is planned for H1 2017 and Inmarsat is looking forward to continuing to work with SpaceX going forward.

“We are delighted with flexibility that Arianespace has shown in being able to provide a launch slot that enables us to place our European Aviation Network S-band satellite in orbit by mid-2017,” said Michele Franci, CTO, Inmarsat. “This launch schedule supports the introduction of our ground-breaking integrated satellite and air-to-ground network, developed by Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom, which will deliver a very high capacity broadband Wi-Fi experience for passengers flying throughout Europe.”

• Third Inmarsat-5 satellite with new technology will allow global coverage

El Segundo, CA | August 29, 2015– When the third Boeing-built [NYSE: BA] Inmarsat-5 satellite, which is now in orbit, becomes fully operational later this year it will provide the technology and coverage necessary for worldwide high-speed broadband access.

Inmarsat-5 F3 sent signals from space following its launch yesterday on an International Launch Services Proton Breeze M launch vehicle. After reaching final orbit, the spacecraft will undergo testing and checkout before becoming operational.

“The Inmarsat Global Xpress network will be the first high-speed Ka-band broadband network to span the world,” said Rupert Pearce, CEO, Inmarsat. “New technology and engineering design will allow us to steer capacity where it’s needed most and adjust to shifting subscriber usage patterns and evolving demographics over the minimum 15-year life span of the network. We can now look forward to the introduction of global GX commercial services by the end of this year.”

Each of the three Inmarsat-5 satellites use fixed narrow spot beams to deliver higher speeds through more compact terminals. Steerable beams direct additional capacity in real-time to where it’s needed to provide seamless, global broadband communications coverage to Inmarsat users worldwide on land, at sea, and in the air. The first two Inmarsat-5 Global Xpress satellites were launched December 2013 and February 2015, respectively. A fourth Boeing-built Inmarsat-5 (F4) is scheduled for delivery in mid-2016.

“The 702HP (high power) satellite is ideally suited for delivering the advanced capabilities Inmarsat required for this mission,” said Mark Spiwak, president, Boeing Satellite Systems International. “More than 20 of these 702HP spacecraft are in orbit now for customers, including Inmarsat, providing reliable, affordable and innovative service.”

Boeing has a strategic marketing partnership with Inmarsat and currently provides both military Ka-band and commercial Global Xpress services to U.S. government customers. Boeing recently concluded an extensive demonstration program for ten U.S. government customer communities using the Inmarsat-5 F2 spacecraft.

July 1, 2013– Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, announced that the first fully assembled Inmarsat-5 satellite has successfully completed mechanical testing at Boeing’s manufacturing facility in El Segundo, CA. The satellite, one of three that will comprise Inmarsat’s new Global Xpress Ka-band broadband network, will move to the next phase of testing as preparations continue for launch later this year.

The recently completed tests included a simulated launch, which was designed to expose the spacecraft to the environmental conditions it will be subjected to during the actual launch.

“This is a very important and significant milestone in the construction and test cycle of the spacecraft as we progress with the test program and move forward to launch day,” said Franco Carnevale, Inmarsat’s Vice President for Satellite and Launch Vehicles. “Exposing the satellite to the realities of the launch experience allows us to know with confidence that it can withstand the real thing.”

During the testing process, a powerful shaker was deployed to simulate the vibrations induced by the rocket’s engine thrust and its ‘cut-off’ at stage separation. Additionally, a concrete reinforced chamber blasted the spacecraft with acoustic waves, much like those which will impact the rocket and its payload during lift-off.

Following the shaking and blasting, all mechanical appendages on the satellite were deployed and tested.

The Inmarsat-5 satellite passed every one of these extremely demanding tests and simulations. It will now move to the next phase, where it will be subjected to the void of space and the large temperature variations it will experience in orbit, which are designed to ensure the satellite can operate reliably for more than 15 years.

The second and third Inmarsat-5 satellites, currently in development by Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems, will endure similar rigorous testing prior to the launch.

“With each passing test, another step in the process is completed and we move forward to launching the satellites that will power the first global Ka-band broadband network over satellite,” concluded Carnevale.