Inmarsat a fifth Ka-band Inmarsat-5 satellite in June 2017 from Thales Alenia Space for about USD 130 million to expand their Global Express (GX) system. The name Inmarsat-5 F5 is conjectural.
The satellite will be a Very High Throughput Satellite (VHTS), providing capacity across the Middle East, Europe and the Indian subcontinent. The payload will seamlessly become part of Inmarsat?s existing GX high-speed global broadband network. The combination of latest satellite technology and a focus on areas of high demand, which will drive high capacity utilisation, will together result in a very low cost per bit delivered. This new satellite will be based on the flight proven Spacebus-4000B2 enhanced platform and will be fitted with 72 Ka-band beams. With a specified design life of 16 years, it will weigh less than 4 metric tons at launch and will offer payload power of about 6.8 kW.
The satellite is targeted for launch in 2019.
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