Intermediate Circular Orbit, also known as Inmarsat P or New ICO
Global mobile telephone system operated by ICO-Teledesic Global
(previously to mid-2000 was ICO Global Communications), expected to begin
service in 2003.
Designed to work with terrestrial GSM. The system will be upgraded to enable
"high speed" internet.
The 12 satellites are worth $3.3 billion. The launch cost is estimated at $925
million (for 12 satellites) Cost per satellite: $275 million. The global cost
of the program is estimated at $4.6 billion (including $625 million for the
ground segment and $1.5 billion for exploitation). Hughes invested $93.8
million to become a strategic partner in ICO (4% of the company). TRW cancelled
its Odyssey MEO satellite system and bought 7% of ICO ($150 million), becoming
the largest shareholder in late 1997.
The system has insurance for $200 million if more than 2 satellites were lost
at launch or during the first 60 months in-orbit.
ICO was assigned the codes +8811 and +8810 by the ITU.
In Aug 1999 the company filled for bankrupcy. The company is reported to be
short of $1.0 to $1.7 billion! In Nov 1999 it was announced Craig McCaw (
Teledesic)
will lead a group of investors to provide upto $1.2 billion funding to ICO. In
Dec 1999, the bankruptcy courts have approved $225 million in interim
debtor-in-possession financing led by Craig McCaw and his affiliated
companies,Teledesic and Eagle River Investments. In Feb 2000 another $275
million was provided by Eagle River Investments. In May the reorganisation plan
was approved. The company then merged into ICO-Teledesic Global.
In Sep 2000 3 additional HS-601 satellites were ordered. They will join the
rest of the modified fleet. Cost undisclosed. Those satellites carry more
computing power than 600 Pentium III-based computers; feature innovative
transmit and receive antennas allowing direct air link to users; and use a
so-called "smart processor" that is capable of adapting beam configuration to
match usage and make the most efficient use of the bandwidth available.
Status: should be operational in 2003
External resources
http://www.ico.com/
planned launches:
2 launches on Atlas 2AS
4 launches on Proton
5 launches on Delta 3
1 launch on Zenit/Sea Launch
Overview
|
Orbit
type
|
MEO
|
|
Orbit
range
|
10335
km, circular
|
|
Nb
of satellites
|
10
+ 2 backup
|
|
Nb
of planes
|
2
|
|
Inclination
|
45°
|
|
Nb
beams per satellite
|
121
|
|
Coverage
|
12900
km²
|
|
Modulation
|
combined
FDMA/TDMA
|
|
Mobile
frequencies
|
1980
- 2010 MHz
|
|
Satellite
mass
|
2300
kg
|
|
Coverage
|
Worldwide
|
|
Operational
date
|
2000
(planned)
|
6 satellites are needed to start operations
Ref: #15(28.02.01)