Boeing completes Centenario Satellite for Government of Mexico

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

The Mexsat system comprises three satellites, two ground network and satellite control stations in Mexico, associated network operations systems, and 67 reference user terminals.

In addition to enhancing social communications to the people of Mexico, Mexsat will provide capability for military, civil and humanitarian needs.

Boeing, the overall integrator for Mexsat system, will store the first 702HP satellite for the Mexican Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SCT) until launch.

Centenario is scheduled to be launched in 2014 while the second Boeing satellite, Morelos-3 is due to be launched in 2015.

Boeing Satellite Systems International CEO and Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems vice president and general manager Craig Cooning said that Boeing worked closely with Mexico’s Telecomm technical agency and its consultants throughout the design, build and test of this satellite.

"Our combined expertise ensures that the Mexsat system will provide reliable telecommunications to the country’s most remote areas," Cooning added.

Capable of expanding disaster-relief and remote-area communications, the Mexsat next-generation telecommunications system can be launched from a Delta IV, Atlas V, Ariane 5, Sea Launch, or Proton launch vehicle.