BELLEVUE, Wash.-Teledesic L.L.C. has completed a major launch contract with Lockheed Martin and signed a system agreement with Motorola Inc. to build Teledesic’s satellite communications network, said the company.
Under terms of the contract with Lockheed Martin, Teledesic will use two heavy-lift launch vehicles-the Proton M and the Atlas V-to launch a significant portion of Teledesic’s satellite constellation.
The contract calls for three Proton launches and three Atlas launches, with options for five additional launches each. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Under terms of the contract with Motorola, Teledesic said Motorola agreed to lead the engineering and construction of the network. The contract is contingent upon Teledesic’s approval that the system meets its requirement following a technical review period, which is expected to be completed in three months, said the company.
Motorola already has paid $150 million cash to Teledesic as part of its payment in a previously announced investment. Teledesic said it has made a $250 million payment to Motorola for its work as a prime contractor.
