In addition, the digital processor flexibly forms and switches many thousands of user channels simultaneously. This gives Thuraya unprecedented ability to meet ever-changing market demands. The spot beams can be redirected on-orbit, wherever needed, from big cities to rural areas and even at sea. Thuraya has the capacity for 13,750 simultaneous calls. Thuraya-1 will be positioned at 44 degrees East longitude, with a contracted life of 12 years in geosynchronous orbit.
Power is derived from two wings of panels, each with dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells.
BSS is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites, and is also a major provider of space systems, satellites and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications.