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BOEING-BUILT ICO SATELLITE SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED
LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 19, 2001 -- A Boeing modified 601 satellite was successfully launched
today on an Atlas IIAS vehicle at Cape Canaveral AS, Fla. Liftoff occurred at 12:41 a.m. EDT, (4:41 a.m.
GMT and 9:41 p.m. PDT, June 18.) Acquisition on the spacecraft was received one hour and 54
minutes later at Brisbane, Australia confirming that systems are operating normally. The satellite was
built for ICO Global Communications, Uxbridge, England, by Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. (BSS), a
unit of The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA). This satellite is one of 15 under contract for construction by
BSS. The launch was managed by International Launch Services.
"We are extremely happy to launch this satellite for ICO Global Communications," said Randy H.
Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems. "This satellite will be the test bed for the next generation
of satellite telecommunications. Boeing is looking forward to launching more ICO satellites in the future
and working with ICO Global Communications in providing a unique telephony and data communication
system for the world."
ICO satellite constellation will consist of 10 active satellites in two planes of medium-Earth orbit at an
altitude of 10,390 kilometers (6,456 statute miles). The orbits will be inclined at 45 degrees to the
equator with each plane having five operational satellites plus one spare. Initially, ICO will use it for
testing of the integration of its space and ground systems, and will integrate it in the full constellation.
"This is a great day for ICO," said Greg Clarke, ICO chief executive officer. "This launch fundamentally
changes the character of ICO."
ICO Global Communications was established in January 1995 to provide global mobile personal
communications services by satellite. Controlling shareholder is an investment group led by wireless
pioneer Craig McCaw. ICO plans to offer the satellite equivalent of third-generation (3G) wireless
services, including mobile voice, wireless Internet and other packet-data services.
Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc., is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications
satellites, and is also a major provider of space systems, satellites, and payloads for national defense,
science and environmental applications.
The Boeing Company, headquartered in Seattle, is the largest aerospace company in the world and the
United States' leading exporter. It is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and
military aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include
rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles, and advanced
information and communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with customers
in 145 countries and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. |
