Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) network
Global (network); UK (Inmarsat HQ) · 2015 (global service coverage achieved) - ongoing (expansion and new satellites) · Approximately £1.04 billion (based on US$1.6 billion programme commitment, estimated 2015 exchange rate)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchGlobal Xpress was the first and only end-to-end high-throughput commercial Ka-band network from a single operator. - The network provides critical communication capabilities for defence, government, and commercial sectors globally. - Continuous investment in new satellites and payloads demonstrates the long-term commitment to enhancing the network.
Key engineering challenges
Deploying and managing a global Ka-band satellite network for high-speed broadband. - Ensuring seamless integration with Inmarsat's existing L-band network for powerful and reliable service. - Expanding coverage to challenging regions like the Arctic with new satellite deployments. - Maintaining continuous, high-throughput connectivity for diverse users (military, maritime, aviation, enterprise).
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Inmarsat (now part of Viasat)
- Lead contractor
- Inmarsat
- Lead designers
- Inmarsat
- Project type
- new build / network expansion
- Scale
- Initially three high-throughput Inmarsat-I5 spacecrafts (F1, F2, F3), expanding with new GX payloads and satellites (e.g., Inmarsat-7 series); downlink speeds to 50 Mbps (uplink to 5 Mbps).
- Disciplines
- Satellite engineering; telecommunications; space systems engineering; network engineering; ground segment engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- International telecommunication standards; maritime and aviation communication standards.
Sources: SpaceNews: Inmarsat's Global Xpress network marks five years of service (https://spacenews.com/inmarsats-global-xpress-network-marks-five-years-of-service/) - Inmarsat: Global Xpress (https://developer.inmarsat.com/technology/gx/) - Digisat: Inmarsat Global Xpress Connectivity Services (https://www.digisat.org/global-xpress) - Space Foundation: Inmarsat completes construction of the Global Xpress ground network (https://www.spacefoundation.org/2014/11/12/inmarsat-completes-construction-of-the-global-xpress-ground-network/)