Mexsat system to expand disaster-relief, remote-area communications

The Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) and Boeing  are a step closer to enhancing Mexico’s mobile communications capabilities for government applications with the completion of the second  (high power) geomobile satellite.

The satellite – Morelos-3 – will join Centenario, the first Mexsat 702HP satellite, in storage awaiting launch. Together with the two Mexsat ground stations, the satellites form the Mexsat mobile communications system.

“The two Boeing 702HP satellites for the Mexsat system represent Boeing’s fourth generation of satellites for Mexico,” said Craig Cooning, CEO of Boeing Satellite Systems International. “The teamwork and collaboration involved between Boeing and the Mexsat team have been instrumental in bringing the system closer to completion.”

Boeing is responsible for the design and delivery of an integrated Mexsat system, comprised of three satellites, two ground network and satellite control stations in Mexico, associated network operations systems and prototype user terminals.

Morelos-3 will be stored by Boeing until it is launched aboard an Atlas V rocket, after which it will operate from a geosynchronous orbit.

Boeing completed Centenario in November 2013. Bicentenario, a fixed satellite system spacecraft built by Boeing subcontractor Orbital Sciences Corporation, launched in December 2012 and is being operated by Telecomm from the Mexsat ground stations in Iztapalapa and Hermosillo, Mexico.

Once fully operational, the Mexsat Satellite System will provide high-data mobile, voice and data services for government agencies. Mexsat will also improve telecommunications access in remote areas of the country.

Boeing press release