Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a Loral Space & Communications company, announced today that it has signed an agreement with KaStar Satellite Communications Corp. (KaSTAR) to construct two advanced Ka-band spot beam satellites. The contract is valued at over $300 million.
Under the contract, Space Systems/Loral will provide two satellites
operating on allocated Ka-band spectrum and potentially Ku-band digital
satellite services (DSS) spectrum. One satellite will operate at 109.2
degrees W.L. and the other at 73 degrees W.L., with spot beam capability
to South America. The first satellite will be delivered on orbit no
later than February 2002. Both will feature on-board processing which
will enable more cost-effective data rate service than the Internet and
data services provided by current wireline and wireless high-speed data
transmission suppliers.
KaSTAR, a Denver, Colo.-based company, will provide multimedia capacity
and services such as "Internet by Satellite." The KaSTAR Intelligent
Satellite System will operate like a "switch in the sky" and provide
high-speed, two-way interactive digital transmission on demand to ground
network operators as well as direct-to-site options for enterprises and
remote locations. KaSTAR intends to provide flexible, low-cost,
multimedia services initially across the U.S. and subsequently around
the world, as well as augment terrestrial systems. The KaSTAR
satellites are unique because they provide extremely flexible broadband
at low cost due to spot beams and on-board processing capabilities.
KaSTAR's prime Ka-band locations of 109.2 degrees W.L. and 73 degrees
W.L. provide full U.S. coverage and also offer a unique opportunity for
partnering with direct broadcast services (DBS) and other satellite
operators to provide combined services of high-speed Internet access and
other digital transmissions.
David Drucker is the founder and director of KaSTAR. Tom Moore,
previously vice president of Integrated Services Architecture at Cable
Television Laboratories (CableLabs), is the chief operating officer.
