TerreStar Networks
Encyclopedia
TerreStar Corporation formerly Motient Corp. (MNCP - 2000-2007) and American Mobile Satellite Corp. (AMSC - 1988-2000), was the controlling shareholder of TerreStar Networks
Inc. and TerreStar Global Ltd., and a shareholder of SkyTerra Communications.
TerreStar Networks was a Reston, Virginia
-based company that operated integrated satellite
and terrestrial telecommunications systems. The company declared bankruptcy in 2010 and is now owned by Dish Network
.
XM Satellite Radio
was a spin off of American Mobile Satellite Corp.
launched TerreStar-1
on the morning of July 1, 2009. With a launch mass of 6,910 kg, it has been deemed "the largest commercial telecommunications satellite ever launched." It was built by Space Systems/Loral
and was launched from the Guiana Space Center with an Ariane 5
rocket in French Guiana
. TerreStar-1 with the plan of providing mobile voice, messaging and data communications services to North America.
Terrestar system is based on GMR
standard.
had approved the company’s deployment of a terrestrial wireless network using the same S-band frequencies used by TerreStar-1.
was approved in November 2010.
In December 2010, an NPO called "A Human Right
" mounted an effort to buy the satellite for use over Africa, with basic free internet service for those who don't have it, and internet access for nations that have cut off international internet connections.
On August 22, 2011, Dish Network
asked the Federal Communications Commission
to let the company use the wireless spectrum of TerreStar to offer its own wireless broadband service.
TerreStar Networks
TerreStar Corporation , formerly Motient Corp. and American Mobile Satellite Corp. , was the controlling shareholder of TerreStar Networks Inc. and TerreStar Global Ltd., and a shareholder of SkyTerra Communications.TerreStar Networks was a Reston, Virginia-based company that operated integrated...
Inc. and TerreStar Global Ltd., and a shareholder of SkyTerra Communications.
TerreStar Networks was a Reston, Virginia
Reston, Virginia
Reston is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The population was 58,404, at the 2010 Census and 56,407 at the 2000 census...
-based company that operated integrated satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
and terrestrial telecommunications systems. The company declared bankruptcy in 2010 and is now owned by Dish Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
.
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
was a spin off of American Mobile Satellite Corp.
TerreStar-1
ArianespaceArianespace
Arianespace SA is a French company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial space transportation company. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane 5 rocket launcher as part of the Ariane programme....
launched TerreStar-1
TerreStar-1
TerreStar-1 is an American communications satellite which will be operated by TerreStar Corporation. It was constructed by Space Systems/Loral, based on the LS-1300S bus, and carries E/F band transponders which will be used to provide mobile communications to North America. The signals are...
on the morning of July 1, 2009. With a launch mass of 6,910 kg, it has been deemed "the largest commercial telecommunications satellite ever launched." It was built by Space Systems/Loral
Space Systems/Loral
Space Systems/Loral , of Palo Alto, California, is the wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications. It was acquired in 1990 for $715 million by Loral Corp. from Ford Motor Company as the Space Systems Division of Ford Aerospace...
and was launched from the Guiana Space Center with an Ariane 5
Ariane 5
Ariane 5 is, as a part of Ariane rocket family, an expendable launch system used to deliver payloads into geostationary transfer orbit or low Earth orbit . Ariane 5 rockets are manufactured under the authority of the European Space Agency and the Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales...
rocket in French Guiana
French Guiana
French Guiana is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It has borders with two nations, Brazil to the east and south, and Suriname to the west...
. TerreStar-1 with the plan of providing mobile voice, messaging and data communications services to North America.
Terrestar system is based on GMR
GEO-Mobile Radio Interface
GEO-Mobile Radio Interface , better known as GMR, is an ETSI standard for satellite phones. GMR is derived from the terrestrial digital cellular standard GSM and supports access to GSM core networks. It is used by ACeS, ICO, Inmarsat, SkyTerra, TerreStar and Thuraya.-External links:********...
standard.
Terrestrial network
On January 14, 2010 TerreStar announced that the Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
had approved the company’s deployment of a terrestrial wireless network using the same S-band frequencies used by TerreStar-1.
Bankruptcy Restructuring with EchoStar
In October 2010, TerreStar filed for a "prepackaged" bankruptcy, led by its largest secured creditor, EchoStar. Together the secured creditors exchanged $940 million of debt for about 97 percent of the company. The plan, along with $75 million of debtor-in-possession financingDebtor-in-possession financing
Debtor-in-possession financing or DIP financing is a special form of financing provided for companies in financial distress or under Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. Usually, this security is more senior than debt, equity, and any other securities issued by a company...
was approved in November 2010.
In December 2010, an NPO called "A Human Right
A Human Right
A Human Right is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free basic internet and phone access to developing countries, and to citizens of countries whose government has cut off their internet access....
" mounted an effort to buy the satellite for use over Africa, with basic free internet service for those who don't have it, and internet access for nations that have cut off international internet connections.
On August 22, 2011, Dish Network
Dish Network
Dish Network Corporation is the second largest pay TV provider in the United States, providing direct broadcast satellite service—including satellite television, audio programming, and interactive television services—to 14.337 million commercial and residential customers in the United States. Dish...
asked the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
to let the company use the wireless spectrum of TerreStar to offer its own wireless broadband service.
See also
- TerreStar NetworksTerreStar NetworksTerreStar Corporation , formerly Motient Corp. and American Mobile Satellite Corp. , was the controlling shareholder of TerreStar Networks Inc. and TerreStar Global Ltd., and a shareholder of SkyTerra Communications.TerreStar Networks was a Reston, Virginia-based company that operated integrated...
- ICO Global Communications
- O3b
- Solaris MobileSolaris MobileSolaris Mobile is a joint venture company between SES Astra and Eutelsat Communications to develop and commercialize the first geostationary satellite systems in Europe for broadcasting video, radio and data to in-vehicle receivers and to mobile devices, such as mobile phones, portable media...
- SkyTerra
- Satellite phoneSatellite phoneA satellite telephone, satellite phone, or satphone is a type of mobile phone that connects to orbiting satellites instead of terrestrial cell sites...
External links
- Terrestar Corporation
- TerreStar Networks
- Terrestar Global
- NSDDC Master Catalog - TerreStar 1 - 2009-035A
- NSSDC SPACEWARN Bulletin - TerreStar 1 - 2009-035A
- AT&T Integrated Cellular-Satellite Solution
- AT&T Announces Agreement with TerreStar to Offer Integrated Cellular/Satellite Solution
- Buy This Satellite - website for A Human RightA Human RightA Human Right is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free basic internet and phone access to developing countries, and to citizens of countries whose government has cut off their internet access....