XTAR To Provide X-Band Services To Spanish Ministry Of Defense

SPACEWAR

-band refers to a range of radio frequencies from approximately 7 to 8 GHz, falling between C-band and Ku-band. X-band offers higher power and better data rates than C-band and requires smaller dishes. X-band is also less susceptible to occasional rain fade than Ku-band. The U.S. and NATO use X-band frequencies for military and other government uses.

Washington - Jun 03, 2002
XTAR, a joint venture between Loral Space & Communications (NYSE:LOR) and HISDESAT, S.A., announced Friday that it has finalized an agreement to lease X-band capacity on its XTAR-EUR satellite to the Spanish Ministry of Defense (SMOD).

Commencing with the XTAR-EUR satellite's in-service date scheduled for late 2003, the SMOD will use 244 MHz of X-band capacity on XTAR-EUR until HISDESAT's SpainSat satellite enters service in 2004. At that time, the SMOD will have access to the XTAR transponders to backup its capacity on SpainSat. Both spacecraft are currently under construction at Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), Palo Alto, Calif.

"This service contract is a significant milestone for our newly formed company," said Bill Wright, president of XTAR. "As government demand for satellite bandwidth continues to grow, XTAR is uniquely positioned to augment existing government communication capabilities swiftly and efficiently."

The XTAR-EUR satellite, based on SS/L's space-proven 1300 platform, is designed to carry twelve wideband and high-power X-band transponders. The satellite will feature multiple steerable spot beams that allow it to follow its users as they travel anywhere within the footprint of the satellite. XTAR-EUR is designed to operate with existing and planned defense communications terminals around the world.

HISDESAT's SpainSat satellite will carry thirteen X-band and one Ka-band transponders when it enters service in the second quarter of 2004. HISDESAT will lease five of SpainSat's X-band transponders and the Ka-band transponder to the SMOD, with the remaining eight X-band transponders and related steerable spot beams to be leased by XTAR for defense customers in the U.S. and in other allied governments. Together, the two satellites will cover nearly two-thirds of the earth's surface, from North America to Southeast Asia.

"With XTAR-EUR and SpainSat, HISDESAT and Loral will be able to provide a unique, commercial X-band solution to the Spanish Government, providing timely access to capacity and cost-effective on-orbit redundancy," stated Jose Maria Hoyos, CEO of Spanish company HISDESAT. "Together, we look forward to serving the long term needs of Spain and its allies in worldwide defense communications."

XTAR, LLC is a new defense satellite communications company serving the communication needs of U.S., Spanish and allied governments' operations. The company is a joint venture between managing partner Loral and HISDESAT. XTAR is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has offices in Madrid, Spain and Palo Alto, Calif.

The recently formed HISDESAT, S.A., headquartered in Madrid, is owned jointly by Hispasat, S.A., the Spanish commercial satellite services company, and the leaders of Spain's space industries - EADS-CASA Espacio, INDRA, INSA and SENER. Hispasat has been providing X-band services to the Spanish Ministry of Defense since 1992 and with this new project, HISDESAT will provide enhanced capabilities, including Ka-band, for Spain's defense applications.

SPACEWAR

Space Systems/Loral Receives Firm Orders For Xtar EUR and SpainSat Satellites

New York - Dec 12, 2001
Loral Space & Communications today announced that Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has finalized firm contracts for the construction of two new X-band satellites. XTAR EUR and SpainSat, to be operated by XTAR and Hisdesat respectively, will provide leased satellite communication services to the U.S. Department of Defense and affiliated agencies, the Spanish Ministry of Defense and other allied governments.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.