SPACEWAY
Encyclopedia
The SPACEWAY system was originally envisioned as a global Ka band
communications system by Hughes Electronics. When the project to build the system was taken over by Hughes Network Systems, a subsidiary of Hughes Electronics, it was transformed into a phased deployment initially only launching a North American satellite system. This is in comparison to other more ambitious systems such as Teledesic
and Astrolink which retained their full global nature and which subsequently failed to complete their systems. Hughes Network Systems working with Hughes Electronics subsidiary Hughes Space and Communications (and subsequently sold to Boeing and called Boeing Satellite Systems and later the Boeing Satellite Development Center) completed and built the North American SPACEWAY system meant to provide broadband
capabilities of up to 512 kbit/s, 2 Mbit/s, and 16 Mbit/s uplink data communication rates with fixed Ka-band satellite terminal antennas sized as small as 74 cm (29.1 in). The broadband SPACEWAY system was standardized by Telecommunications Industry Association
and European Telecommunications Standards Institute
as the Regenerative Satellite Mesh - A Air Interface
.
After News Corp purchased a controlling interest in Hughes Electronics, the company sold off its controlling interest in Hughes Network Systems but retained SPACEWAY-1
and SPACEWAY-2
for use in the DirecTV satellite television subsidiary of Hughes Electronics. Boeing retrofitted the first two satellites for bent-pipe Ka-band communications for use in high definition television and disabled the regenerative on-board processing of the original system that was to be used for broadband satellite communications.
Despite statements to the contrary in the system's initial filings with the Federal Communications Commission
, none of the three satellites have Inter-Satellite Links connecting the satellites directly with each other in space.
SPACEWAY-1
, SPACEWAY-2
and SPACEWAY-3
have been launched and Hughes Network Systems has an option to purchase and have Boeing build SPACEWAY-4.
Ka band
The Ka band covers the frequencies of 26.5–40 GHz. The Ka band is part of the K band of the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum. This symbol refers to "K-above" — in other words, the band directly above the K-band...
communications system by Hughes Electronics. When the project to build the system was taken over by Hughes Network Systems, a subsidiary of Hughes Electronics, it was transformed into a phased deployment initially only launching a North American satellite system. This is in comparison to other more ambitious systems such as Teledesic
Teledesic
Teledesic was a company founded in the 1990s to build a commercial broadband satellite constellation for Internet services. Using low-earth orbiting satellites small antennas could be used to provide uplinks of as much as 100 Mbit/second and downlinks of up to 720 Mbit/second...
and Astrolink which retained their full global nature and which subsequently failed to complete their systems. Hughes Network Systems working with Hughes Electronics subsidiary Hughes Space and Communications (and subsequently sold to Boeing and called Boeing Satellite Systems and later the Boeing Satellite Development Center) completed and built the North American SPACEWAY system meant to provide broadband
Broadband Internet access
Broadband Internet access, often shortened to just "broadband", is a high data rate, low-latency connection to the Internet— typically contrasted with dial-up access using a 56 kbit/s modem or satellite Internet with inherently high latency....
capabilities of up to 512 kbit/s, 2 Mbit/s, and 16 Mbit/s uplink data communication rates with fixed Ka-band satellite terminal antennas sized as small as 74 cm (29.1 in). The broadband SPACEWAY system was standardized by Telecommunications Industry Association
Telecommunications Industry Association
The Telecommunications Industry Association is accredited by the American National Standards Institute to develop voluntary, consensus-based industry standards for a wide variety of ICT products, and currently represents nearly 400 companies...
and European Telecommunications Standards Institute
European Telecommunications Standards Institute
The European Telecommunications Standards Institute is an independent, non-profit, standardization organization in the telecommunications industry in Europe, with worldwide projection...
as the Regenerative Satellite Mesh - A Air Interface
Regenerative Satellite Mesh - A Air Interface
Regenerative Satellite Mesh - A is an internationally standardized satellite communications protocol by Telecommunications Industry Association and European Telecommunications Standards Institute....
.
After News Corp purchased a controlling interest in Hughes Electronics, the company sold off its controlling interest in Hughes Network Systems but retained SPACEWAY-1
SPACEWAY-1
Spaceway F1 is part of DirecTV’s constellation of direct broadcast satellites. The satellite was launched via a Zenit 3SL rocket from Sea Launch’s Odyssey equatorial platform on April 26, 2005. Its operational position is in geosynchronous orbit above the equator at 102.8 degrees west longitude....
and SPACEWAY-2
SPACEWAY-2
Spaceway F2 is part of DirecTV’s constellation of direct broadcast satellites. The satellite was launched via an Arianespace Ariane 5 ECA rocket from Kourou, French Guiana on November 16, 2005. Its operational position is in geosynchronous orbit above the equator at 99.2 degrees west longitude....
for use in the DirecTV satellite television subsidiary of Hughes Electronics. Boeing retrofitted the first two satellites for bent-pipe Ka-band communications for use in high definition television and disabled the regenerative on-board processing of the original system that was to be used for broadband satellite communications.
Despite statements to the contrary in the system's initial filings with the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
, none of the three satellites have Inter-Satellite Links connecting the satellites directly with each other in space.
SPACEWAY-1
SPACEWAY-1
Spaceway F1 is part of DirecTV’s constellation of direct broadcast satellites. The satellite was launched via a Zenit 3SL rocket from Sea Launch’s Odyssey equatorial platform on April 26, 2005. Its operational position is in geosynchronous orbit above the equator at 102.8 degrees west longitude....
, SPACEWAY-2
SPACEWAY-2
Spaceway F2 is part of DirecTV’s constellation of direct broadcast satellites. The satellite was launched via an Arianespace Ariane 5 ECA rocket from Kourou, French Guiana on November 16, 2005. Its operational position is in geosynchronous orbit above the equator at 99.2 degrees west longitude....
and SPACEWAY-3
SPACEWAY-3
SPACEWAY-3 is a communications satellite which, as of August 2007, is undergoing on-orbit testing after its successful launch. The third satellite in the SPACEWAY series, it includes a Ka-band communications payload...
have been launched and Hughes Network Systems has an option to purchase and have Boeing build SPACEWAY-4.