Garuda-1, the first satellite that will serve the geo-based mobile telephone communications market in Asia, is the first satellite of a constellation that will comprise the ACeS System.

Based on the A2100 AXX bus, Garuda-1 is a 14 kilowatt satellite at the beginning of life and an end-of-life power capacity of nine kilowatts, making it one of the most powerful telecommunications satellites ever launched.

The satellite was built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, Sunnyvale, CA. The satellite is planned to begin service in a few months, following in-orbit checkout operations.

ACeS is an advanced mobile telephony and data service communication system that will enable customers equipped with hand-held terminals to communicate via high-quality, low cost digital signals that will provide access to voice, data, and fax services.

The ACeS System is owned by Bermuda-based ASIA Cellular Satellite (ACeS) International, with primary shareholders Pasifik Satelit Nusantara, Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications, the Philippines Long Distance Telephone Company and Jasmine International Overseas Company Ltd.

"When completed, the ACeS constellation will instantaneously provide the communications infrastructure required to serve more than half of the world's population," said Peter Kujawski, President of Commercial Space Systems.

"Given the size and topography of Asia, satellite-based telecommunications service is the best way to serve this market. We're extremely pleased to be part of the ACeS team," added Kujawski.

The satellite operates with the terrestrial gateways in C-band, but interfaces with the mobile subscriber terminals in L-band via 140 spot beams that cover the whole of Asia to provide geo-based mobile telephony, providing coverage to nearly 3.5 billion people -- about 60 percent of the world's population.

In addition, the ACeS spacecraft is capable of handling up to five billion minutes of telecommunications traffic per year and nearly two million subscribers.

The second ACeS satellite, Garuda-2, will serve first as a back-up to Garuda-1, and then allow the ACeS system to expand coverage to western and central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and northern Africa.

Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems

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