Boeing has announced the completion of the first of two 702HP (high-power) geomobile satellites, Centenario, for Mexico’s new Mexsat end-to-end satellite communications system.

Mexsat aims to provide improved social communications to Mexico’s residents, along with capability for military, civil and humanitarian needs.

Boeing said that Centenario will be stored for the Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) until its scheduled launch in 2014.

The second Boeing satellite, Morelos-3, is planned to launch in 2014 and 2015.

Boeing Satellite Systems International CEO and Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems vice-president and general manager Craig Cooning said: "Our combined expertise ensures that the Mexsat system will provide reliable telecommunications to the country’s most remote areas."

Boeing is acting as the overall integrator for the Mexsat system that comprises three satellites, two ground network and satellite control stations in Mexico, associated network operations systems, along with 67 reference user terminals.

In December 2012, Bicentenario was launched. It is a fixed satellite system satellite built by Boeing subcontractor Orbital Sciences being operated by Telecomm.

Defence Technology