CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Having survived bankruptcy, reorganization and the loss of its first satellite, ICO Global Communications officials finally enjoyed some good news early Tuesday with the successful orbiting of a spacecraft that will serve as a testbed for its wireless communication services.
The Boeing Satellite Systems-built spacecraft was sent into Earth orbit by an International Launch Services Atlas 2AS rocket built by Lockheed Martin. Liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 12:41 a.m. EDT (04:41 GMT) and spacecraft separation occurred on time about 113 minutes later.
"This is a great day for ICO," said Greg Clarke, chief executive officer of the London-based ICO. "This launch fundamentally changes the character of ICO."
With plans similar to those of competitors Iridium and Globalstar, New ICO -- the now-private company's official name since May 2000 -- intends to provide wireless messaging, data transfer, telephone and Internet connectivity using small hand-held devices that can be carried anywhere in the world.
"This launch achieves one of our most important milestones," Clarke said. "It sets us on a course to build out this system and offer a range of unique services to the market."
Widespread service is to begin in 2003, according to company fact sheets, following a period of extensive customer testing in 2002.Potential markets targeted by the company include maritime, aviation, oil and gas, transportation and construction industries; government agencies; individual consumers; and small and medium-sized businesses that lack adequate broadband or voice services.
Ground infrastructure for the operation already is in place, with 12 satellite centers spread throughout the globe and connected by high-speed data lines. The company's main Satellite Control Center is located in the United Kingdom.
The space segment eventually is to consist of a dozen satellites of which 10 will be operational and two will be in-orbit spares.
The remaining 11 satellites will be spread among a trio of launchers, with one more planned for an Atlas 2AS, five on Boeing's Delta 3 rocket and four on the Russian Proton marketed by International Launch Services.
All of the satellites are modified versions of Boeing's popular Model 601, said Boeing Satellite Systems president Randy Brinkley.
"The satellites carry more computing power than 600 Pentium III-based computers. They feature innovative transmit and receive antennas allowing direct air link to users, and use a 'smart processor' capable of adapting beam configuration to match demand. These features give ICO unprecedented flexibility to meet ever-changing market demands on a global basis," Brinkley said in a prepared statement.
ICO's first satellite launch during March 2000 ended in failure when the rocket it was riding, a Sea Launch Zenit 3SL, lost thrust and flew out of control, destroying itself and sending the spacecraft into the Pacific Ocean.
The disaster happened just as ICO was attempting to emerge from Chapter 11 protection -- which it entered in August 1999 -- and secure a new source of funding, which eventually came during May 2000 in the form of a group of international investors who provided $1.2 billion to acquire the company.
Tuesday's launch was the first of six Atlas missions planned for this year.
By the numbers the launch was the 566th for the Atlas program and 156th for the Centaur upper stage, and extends to 55 the number of consecutive successful launches for the Atlas launch team. In fact, the Atlas 2 model continues its 100 percent success rate.
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