• Current
• Network
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• Network
• Coverage

NETWORK

Current Network

Space Segment

The space segment is comprised of the MSAT-1 and MSAT-2 satellites. These geostationary satellites are in orbit 36,000 kilometers (approx. 22, 400 miles) above the earth matching the earth’s rotation, thus maintaining fixed positions over North America.

The MSAT satellites operate in a similar manner to a cellular microwave repeater, but have a much greater range. Using the MSAT spot beam technology, SkyTerra offers superior coverage and capacity. This technology turns all of North America, Central America, northern South America, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and up to 250 miles offshore into a single, digital communications cell. As a result, SkyTerra can deliver to users in its coverage area advanced and affordable wireless communications from anywhere to anywhere, on land, at sea, or in the air.

The satellite’s on-board telecommunications payload is capable of handling thousands of simultaneous secure and reliable voice calls and data transmissions. The MSAT satellites bring the benefits of telecommunications and information to areas without access to conventional land-based telecom networks and makes it ideally suited to the unique needs of the transportation, utility, oil & gas, government, maritime, and resource industries.

Technical Data

The MSAT Satellites were constructed by SPAR Aerospace Limited of Mississauga, Ontario and Hughes Space and Communications Co. of Los Angeles. Each satellite’s specifications are as follows:

In-Depth Technical Information

Your best source for a brief description of the satellite system is "Communication Satellites" by Donald Martin, published by the Aerospace Corporation and the AIAA, (4th edition, 2000).

To order a copy, visit this site: http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=360&id=747

Ground Segment

SkyTerra Communications’s MSAT-1 and MSAT-2 satellites are the heart of the SkyTerra network, but the ground segment, commonly referred to as the Communication Ground Segment (CGS) is its nervous system, providing the links to terrestrial public and private phone and data networks.

One CGS is located in Ottawa, Canada and interacts with MSAT-1, while the other CGS is located in Reston, Virginia, USA and interacts with MSAT-2.

Phone calls and data transmissions from SkyTerra subscribers are relayed by the satellite to SkyTerra’s Communications Ground Segments (CGSs), which houses the Network Operations and Network Control Center.

Supplied to SkyTerra by Westinghouse Electronic Systems Group, the CGS is the nerve center of the SkyTerra Network. They process all calls providing full connectivity to public and private phone and data networks, linking subscribers to anyone, anywhere in the world.

Voice calls and data transmissions from users are relayed directly from SkyTerra communicators (mobile terminals) via L-Band to the satellite, then down to the CGS via Ku-Band. Each CGS consists of:

• an 11-meter satellite dish;
• the Network Operations Center (where the network is monitored and controlled);
• the Network Communications Controller (which allocates channels on a per-call basis);
• the Feederlink Earth Station, which provides connectivity to the public switched telephone networks (PSTN); and
• The CGS in Ottawa also has a Data Hub, which provides connectivity to public and private data networks also offering an IP gateway