PARTNERS SUPPORT EVENTS CONTACT Open Search Panel ABOUT SOLUTIONS & SERVICES SUSTAINABILITY CAREERS INSIGHTS NEWS I-6 F1 The world's largest and most sophisticated commercial communications satellite is launching soon. Contact us Share Home About Technology Satellites What does cutting-edge space technology, next-generation innovation and a dual ELERA and Global Xpress payload mean for our global mobility, government and IoT customers? I-6 F1 - the first of two Inmarsat-6 (I-6) satellites - is scheduled to launch from the JAXA Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on 21 Decemeber 2021 onboard its H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 45 (HIIA F45). The I-6 satellites are not only the most technologically advanced and largest commercial communications satellites ever launched, they are also Inmarsat’s first hybrid satellites, featuring both L-band (ELERA) and Ka-band (Global Xpress) communications payloads. The launch window for I-6 F1 is 14:33:52 - 16:33:26 GMT / 23:33:52 - 01:33:26 a.m. JST. I-6 F1 fact sheet The I-6 story The I-6 story BUILDING I-6 WHAT IS I-6? WHY I-6? TECHNOLOGY FACT SHEET Enhanced customer capabilities That means greater capacity and coverage, greater speeds and a greater portfolio of innovative connectivity solutions for our ELERA and Global Xpress (GX) networks. And because the I-6 satellites, like all Inmarsat ELERA and GX spacecraft, are backward-compatible with existing terminals, current and future customers can continue to benefit from new advances. The launch of I-6 F1 will also mark the start of our visionary and fully funded technology roadmap, which will see the launch of seven satellites by 2024 and a ground network expansion like no other, to transform and enhance connectivity services and solutions for our mobility, government and IoT customers across the world. Connectivity in harmony The I-6 satellites will also provide a key role in the geostationary earth orbit (GEO) element of Inmarsat ORCHESTRA – the first-of-its-kind network that will combine GEO, low earth orbit (LEO), highly elliptical orbit (HEO) and 5G in one harmonious solution to redefine global, mobile connectivity as we know it. Inspiring new possibilities Inspiring new possibilities Our L-band services have long been synonymous with 99.95% reliability, resilience and availability, providing the vital maritime and aviation safety services that protect millions of seafarers and airline passengers every day, as well as supporting Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Now, with our enhanced narrowband ELERA network, underpinned by the I-6 satellites, we are investing in the next wave of world-changing technologies to 2040 and beyond. The result; the fastest L-band speeds available to customers, the smallest low-cost terminals and a more connected, sustainable and safer world. Think commercial UAVs for disaster response and medical deliveries Autonomous transport; monitoring of the oceans and supporting greener energy solutions Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Industrial and agricultural IoT connecting billions of machines and devices. A springboard for innovation And that’s not all. I-6 F1 will deliver double the capacity per beam and double the power of our previous Inmarsat-4 (I-4) generation of L-band satellites, which means that much more data can be carried over the same amount of bandwidth. Add unlimited beam routing flexibility to match demand on a second-by-second basis, even in congested hotpots, and the I-6s will be a catalyst for ELERA’s capabilities. The meteoric rise of Global Xpress The meteoric rise of Global Xpress The high-speed broadband service of choice for governments, shipping companies and airlines alike, Global Xpress has taken global, mobile satellite communications to the next level to power digitalisation and entirely transform whole industries. Fleet Xpress is already delivering next-generation digital services to over 11,000 maritime vessels for operational efficiency, regulatory compliance and crew welfare GX Aviation is keeping passengers flying with some of the world’s leading airlines connected at 30,000 feet - from Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines to Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic and AirAsia Jet ConneX for business aviation is ensuring a best-in-class experience for Principals on any international flight path. And for governments the world over, Global Xpress offers secure end-to-end wideband connectivity wherever the mission arises - on land, at sea or in the air – and is the first global commercial network that is interoperable with MILSATCOM Ka-band networks. Meeting always-on demand The launch of I-6 F1 (also known as GX6A) is set to deliver more capacity to key regions than an entire first-generation GX satellite and even more flexibility, with 20 Ka-band steerable spot beams precisely directing additional capacity where and when it is needed in real time. That means busy aviation and shipping routes can expect always-on connectivity no matter how congested the traffic, and governments can continue to receive mission critical connectivity when it counts. Meeting customer demand Meeting customer demand Aviation The I-6s will deliver even more enhancements to our market-leading services for the global aviation industry. From additional inflight Wi-Fi capacity for airlines and business aviation over busy hubs and air routes, to next generation operations and safety services over ELERA. Inmarsat has the infrastructure and investment power to provide gold standard aviation connectivity - now and in the future. Read more Enterprise For our land customers – from agriculture, electrical utilities and mining to oil and gas, and transport and logistics – the I-6 satellites will act as a catalyst for IoT innovation, connecting even more data producers to provide companies with visibility across production and supply chains. Enhanced flexibility for leasing customers means improved customer service too. Read more Government The I-6s will deliver the enhanced capacity, coverage and flexibility required to support government mobility users’ growing need for high information throughput, always-on, assured availability and small Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) user equipment. Complementing government satcom capabilities, customers can count on Inmarsat’s easy-to-deploy solutions when every second counts. Read more Previous Aviation Enterprise Next You may also be interested in You may also be interested in Roadmap Ground network ABOUT US Who we are Leadership team and board What we do Technology PLC archive SOLUTIONS & SERVICES Aviation Enterprise Government Maritime QUICK LINKS Careers Our Partners Ships Directory Apply for a job FOLLOW US Subscribe Twitter YouTube Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Connect Bidco Limited, a company registered in Guernsey (No. 66187), is the holding company for the Inmarsat group of companies. Copyright (c) Inmarsat Global Limited 2021. All rights reserved. Cookies Privacy policy Accessibility Acceptable use policy Terms of use By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 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