Largest Commercial Telecom Satellite Ready for Lift-Off Aboard Ariane-5

TerreStar-1, the largest commercial telecommunication satellite is ready for lift-off on 1 July 2009 atop the heavy-lift launcher, Ariane-5 from the Spaceport in French Guiana.

The 6,910kg satellite will ride on the rocket as a single payload and will be placed into geostationary orbit a few minutes after launch.

The telecom satellite is to be operated by TerreStar Networks and will offer voice, data and video communications to satellite or terrestrial mobile devices the size of a typical smart phone.

TerreStar-1's relay services will provide critical services for government, emergency responders, rural communities and commercial users throughout the US and Canada.

Ariane-5 has been transferred to the launch zone from the final assembly line.

The spacecraft is expected to operate in orbit for more than 15 years.