Communication in Orbit
At the edge of space, Boeing satellites continued to link people, countries and systems. In January 2006, Boeing began work on three satellites and associated ground systems with Mobile Satellite Ventures. This was the largest order for Boeing commercial satellites since 1997. Under this contract, three Boeing-built geo-mobile satellites will enable the world's first commercial mobile satellite service using both space and terrestrial elements.
In April 2007, Boeing demonstrated the technical readiness of its GPS III payload design, allowing the U.S. Air Force to field and upgrade GPS satellites quickly and cost effectively. This solution, combined with signal power improvements, provided a more-capable GPS service for civilian and military users. Global Positioning System advances included the activation in September 2007 of a ground station controlling GPS satellites in orbit.
Spacecraft maintenance took another robotic leap forward when a Boeing-led industry team in March 2007 launched Orbital Express, a demonstration spacecraft for a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program aimed at demonstrating fully autonomous on-orbit spacecraft servicing.
The "Rhythm and Blues" satellite duo was completed when a Boeing 702 satellite was transferred on orbit to XM Satellite Radio on Dec. 19, 2006. The Boeing-built satellite joins its sister satellite, XM-3, to complete the set, named after the music they transmit.
Watching our world from the edge of space are a pair of NASA satellites launched by a Boeing Delta II rocket on April 28, 2006, to further study clouds and aerosols. A month later, the first of three Boeing-built, next-generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES-N), providing continuous real-time weather and environmental data, was launched for NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The same year, Boeing-backed Sea Launch, a floating platform, launched a JCSAT-9 communications satellite in April 11.
Boeing completed the first phase of its nanosatellite research and experimentation with the April 17, 2007, successful launch and testing of the picosatellite CubeSat TestBed 1, weighing less than 3 pounds. The spacecraft accomplished 100 percent of its primary mission objectives, testing a variety of technologies, design elements, and attitude determination and control approaches for future operational nanosatellites -- spacecraft weighing less than 22 pounds.
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