Thuraya 2 [Boeing BSS]
Thuraya-2 and 3 are among the first satellites in the Boeing GEM (Geomobile) series. This product line expands Boeing's offerings beyond satellite manufacturing, to integrate a high-power geosynchronous satellite (derived from the Boeing BSS-702 body-stabilized design) with a ground segment and user handsets, to provide a range of cellular-like voice and data services over a large geographic region. The Thuraya ground segment includes terrestrial gateways plus a collocated network operations center and satellite control facility in the UAE.
Thuraya offers GSM-compatible mobile telephone services, transmitting and receiving calls through a single 12.25 meter-aperture reflector. The satellite employs state-of-the-art on-board digital signal processing to create more than 200 spot beams that can be redirected on-orbit, allowing the Thuraya system to adapt to business demands in real time. Calls are routed directly from one handheld unit to another, or to a terrestrial network. The system has the capacity for 13,750 simultaneous voice circuits.
Thuraya 2 and 3 have redesigned solar arrays, as the original concentrator arrays have a fogging problem reducing the performance.
Nation: | United Arab Emirates |
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Type / Application: | Communication |
Operator: | Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Co. |
Contractors: | Boeing |
Equipment: | L-band 128 active elements, 17 W SSPAs C-band 2 active (2 spare) |
Configuration: | BSS-GEM (Geomobile) |
Propulsion: | R-4D |
Power: | 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries |
Lifetime: | 12 years |
Mass: | 5177 kg |
Orbit: | GEO |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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Thuraya 2 | 2003-026A | 10.06.2003 | SL | Zenit-3SL (2) | ||
Thuraya 3 | 2008-001A | 15.01.2008 | SL | Zenit-3SL (1) |