XTAR has reported that the second component of its X-band satellite network, XTAR-LANT, has completed in-orbit testing and has entered full commercial service, joining the XTAR-EUR satellite that entered service in April 2005.
Stationed at 30 degrees west longitude, XTAR-LANT carries eight 100-watt wide-band X-band transponders in both right- and left-hand circular polarization. The payload enables greater flexibility and enhanced capabilities utilizing legacy X-band equipment. The satellite is a 1300-class model built by Loral Space Systems of Palo Alto, Calif. Its designed service life is 15 years.
XTAR-LANT's coverage area encompasses a region extending from Denver in the United States to the South American and African continents and across the Atlantic to the Middle East.
Combined with XTAR-EUR's coverage, XTAR-LANT can provide X-band capacity from Denver east to Singapore. XTAR-LANT's steerable spot beams can be positioned anywhere within the satellite's footprint and is designed to be compatible with existing X-band terminals, including dishes under 2.4 meters.
"With the beginning of service on XTAR-LANT, XTAR can now offer X-band services in North America for homeland security applications and one-hop connectivity to Europe and the Middle East," said Denis Curtin, XTAR's chief operating officer.
"The satellite's payload is extremely flexible," Curtin added. "It covers a large geographic area with its two global beams and has three spot beams that can be relocated within the satellite's coverage area. This flexibility, added to XTAR-EUR's coverage in Asia, adds tremendous capabilities for government and military users across most of the globe."
XTAR is a joint venture between Loral Space & Communications and HISDESAT.
