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Largest antenna reflector put in space

Signals sent from space can support smart phones and other communication networks.
Written by Boonsri Dickinson, Contributing Editor

A U.S. satellite with the largest antenna reflector was launched into space.

LightSquared's SkyTerra 1 sent its first on-orbit signals to Boeing. This means that the satellite is ready for further testing.

Soon when the system is up and running, anyone who owns a smart phone might have faster and broader access to the network.

LightSquared's new broadband mobile wireless network will tap into ground stations to develop the company's first Space-Based Network (SBN).

"There is a large and rapidly growing demand for data services to U.S. businesses, individuals and other end users, and Boeing has accomplished the first step in delivering this capability to LightSquared with the successful launch of SkyTerra 1," said Craig Cooning of Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems, in a statement.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) put the pressure on Lightsquared to service 90 percent of the American population by 2015 with its ground towers. The company already plans on introducing its 4G LTE wireless network by the end of 2011.

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com

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