Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected by Intelsat to build two C-band satellites that will operate in the upper portion of the C-band spectrum, a range of wireless radio frequencies that is used for critical telecommunications and data connectivity around the world. This award supports the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) order to make the lower portion of the C-band spectrum available to mobile network operators to further the rollout of critical 5G services. Intelstat filed its C-band transition plan with FCC on June 19.
These satellites, Galaxy 33 (G-33) and Galaxy 34 (G-34), will be based on Northrop Grumman’s flight proven GEOStar platform. Northrop Grumman has previously built 11 GEO communications satellites for Intelsat and more than 40 GEOStar spacecraft overall.
The C-band satellites are set to launch in the summer of 2022.
Intelstat also selected Maxar Technologies to supply four additional satellites.
