Honeywell develops new broadband satcom hardware

Honeywell has entered the detailed design phase of the satellite communications (satcom) system hardware it is developing for Inmarsat’s new Global Xpress Ka-band satellite network. The company aims to secure Inmarsat network access approval for the satcom system in 2014.

The Global Xpress network is based on three new-generation Inmarsat-5 (Boeing 702HP) satellites, each carrying 89 Ka-band beams and operating in geosynchronous orbit with flexible global coverage. The first satellite is scheduled for launch this year over Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa; the plan is to deploy the full constellation by 2014.