Intelsat to Test Internet Routing in Space for the U.S. Military

Intelsat General Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intelsat Ltd, today announced that it has been selected for an industry-government collaboration to demonstrate the viability of conducting military communications through an Internet router in space.

The Department of Defense project to test Internet routing in space (IRIS) will be managed by Intelsat General, and the payload will convert to commercial use once testing has been completed. The IRIS project is one of seven projects -- out of hundreds of applicants -- funded and announced infiscal 2007 as a Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) by the US Department of Defense, the contractor says.

Intelsat says it is the first commercial satellite company to be awarded a JCTD program. The IRIS JCTD is a three-year program that allows the DOD to collaborate with Intelsat General and its industry team to demonstrate and assess the utility of the IRIS capability.

Cisco Systems will provide commercial networking software for the on-board router. In addition, SEAKR Engineering Inc. of Denver, Colo., will manufacture the space-hardened router and integrate it into the IRIS payload.

Concerto Advisors, a financial advisory firm based in Iowa City, Iowa, is organizing equity financing for a new company to provide the funds to design, build and operate the equipment used for the demonstration. Following the JCTD testing period, Concerto's affiliate will own the equipment, and Intelsat will operate the equipment on Concerto's behalf to provide services for government and commercial users.

"IRIS extends the Internet into space, integrating satellite systems and the ground infrastructure for warfighters, first responders and others who need seamless and instant communications," says Bill Shernit, president and CEO of Intelsat General. "IRIS will enable U.S. and allied military forces with diverse satellite equipment to seamlessly communicate over the Internet from the most remote regions of the world."

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