MSAT
 | This articlepossibly containsoriginal research.(December 2023) |
MSAT(Mobile Satellite) is asatellite-basedmobile telephonyservice developed by theNational Research Council Canada(NRC). Supported by a number of companies in theUSand Canada, MSAT hosts a number of services, including the broadcast ofCDGPSsignals. The MSAT satellites were built by Hughes (now owned byBoeing) 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 (nowLigado Networks) referred to its MSAT as AMSC-1, with each satellite providing backup for the other.
History[edit]
- April 7, 1995 -MSAT-2(a.k.a.AMSC-1,COSPAR 1995-019A, SATCAT 23553) launched fromCape Canaveral,Launch Complex 36, Pad A, aboardAtlas IIA[2]
- May 1995 - testing causes overheating and damage to one of eight hybrid matrix amplifier output ports aboard MSAT-2[3]
- April 20, 1996 -MSAT-1(sometimesAMSC 2,COSPAR 1996-022A, SATCAT 23846) launched fromKourou, French GuianaaboardAriane 42P[4][5]
- May 15, 1996 - Reported failures of two solid state power amplifiers (SSPAs) and one L-band receiver on separate occasions aboard MSAT-2.[3]
- May 4, 2003 - MSAT-1 loses two power amplifiers.[6]
Phaseout[edit]
MSAT-1 and MSAT-2 have had their share of problems. Mobile Satellite Ventures placed the AMSC-1 satellite into a 2.5 degreeinclined orbitoperations 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 toSkyTerra,then became by acquisitionLightSquared,then after bankruptcyLigado 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]
- MSV-1 (U.S.)
- MSV-2 (Canada)
- MSV-SA (South America)
Services Delivered via MSAT[edit]
The following services are singularly dependent upon the continued operation of the MSAT satellite:
- CDGPS- a differential correction signal system for improved GPS navigation accuracy
- Trailer Tracking - bySkyWave Mobile Communications
- Trailer Tracking - bySkyBitz
- EMERGNET - byGlentel
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^"AMSC 1 / M-Sat 1".Gunter's Space Page.
- ^"Florida Today Space and Missile Launch Database".Archived fromthe originalon 2007-03-17.Retrieved2006-11-26.
- ^ab"AMERICAN MOBILE SATELLITE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES: Form 10-Q".2006-05-14. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-30.Retrieved2006-11-27.
- ^"MSAT-1 TO LAUNCH APRIL 20TH".Archived fromthe originalon 2006-06-24.Retrieved2006-11-26.
- ^"Boeing: Chronology of Launches".Archived fromthe originalon 2006-12-07.Retrieved2006-11-26.
- ^"Service Outage - November 30, 2003"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2007-09-28.Retrieved2006-11-26.
- ^"MOTIENT CORP, Form S-1, Filing Date Nov 3, 2005".secdatabase.com.RetrievedMay 14,2018.
- ^"Mobile Satellite Ventures Engages Boeing To Develop Next Generation Satellites".Archived fromthe originalon 2006-11-14.Retrieved2006-11-26.
- ^"Company Fact Sheet: Investor/Financial".Archived fromthe originalon 2006-11-14.Retrieved2006-11-26.