Lockheed Martin sends Astrolink to the moon

Abstract

Astrolink is ready to begin construction of what it hopes will be the first global, on-demand, wireless broadband service based on geostationary satellites. Lockheed Martin will provide the company's spacecraft, systems integration and launch services and has invested $400 million in the venture. Telespazio is investing $250 million and will supply the worldwide ground systems for the venture while managing the network control systems. TRW will build the digital, packet-switched communications payloads for the satellites and has invested $250 million. Each company will have a minority ownership of the $3.6 billion Astrolink venture.