TerreStar nabs $300 million in funding, aims for satellite launch by end of year

TerreStar certainly hasn't been flooding us with news over the years, but it looks like the company's been keeping itself busy nonetheless, and its now scored an impressive $300 million in funding for its efforts. That money, coming from EchoStar and Harbinger Capital Partners, will largely be used to fund the company through the launch of its TerreStar-1 "hybrid mobile satellite" (pictured above in a circa 2005 mockup), which promises to power cellphones that'll be able to use traditional terrestrial networks and fall back on satellite when there's no other signal. What's more, despite the three-year-gap since the initial announcement, TerreStar says it's still shooting for a launch by the end of this year, with Arianespace confirming that it's able to provide the transport into space during the December 2008 through February 2009 launch window.

[Nathan @ Feb 8th 2008 5:49PM]

Phew! Now I can drive 45 mph on the highway in the left lane while chatting on my phone, even in places where before I would have just gotten a dropped call! God I love how technology makes me more able to attend to me, all the time.

Why is this jackass behind me honking so much!?

[makishima @ Feb 8th 2008 5:53PM]

hahahha, thank you for that perfect start to the weekend!

[skulldriveshaft @ Feb 8th 2008 6:45PM]

And you still forgot about the right turn signal :]

[BigReg @ Feb 8th 2008 6:48PM]

Behold - TerrorStar

[Nick O @ Feb 8th 2008 7:22PM]

Dankoozy, I think you didn't quite read properly: "...power cellphones that'll be able to use traditional terrestrial networks and fall back on satellite when there's no other signal." This means you will be able to use your regular cellphone to get coverage in remote areas etc., where regular land based coverage is not available...

[Dankoozy @ Feb 8th 2008 6:50PM]

the last thing we need is another satellite phone company. i just don't see it happening, todays modern "too busy to shift gears so I buy an automatic" office-going urbanites don't have time for satellite phones, satellite lag and big handsets. and the people who do dig satphones already have one from one of the 3 companies that cover the US.

if they do launch this site it will probably get used for anonymous telemetry and 'data solutions'. the kind of products where you need to phone up some Rep and organise a meeting before you get anything from them. much like Orbcomm is now.

Thuraya launched a new satellite a few weeks ago, but unfortunately because of some stupid protectionism law they will probably never be allowed to operate in the US.

[Nathan @ Feb 8th 2008 6:58PM]

I'm not trying to be insulting here, I'm just making an observation: That has got to be the most cynical thing I have ever read on Engadget. You went over 3 complete scenarios for failure and were able to blame 1) society 2) businesses 3) government / lobbying organizations. All on one fell swoop. Amazing.

[Justin @ Feb 9th 2008 6:01AM]

"Thuraya launched a new satellite a few weeks ago, but unfortunately because of some stupid protectionism law they will probably never be allowed to operate in the US."

Or it could be that Thuraya flies over the opposite side of the globe and I don't know of anyone who has perfected the whole RF through the center of the earth thing yet, but I might be mistaken.

[CanCar @ Feb 9th 2008 11:02AM]

emerging mobile network operator that plans to build, own and operate North America's first 4G integrated mobile satellite and terrestrial communications network that will provide universal access and tailored applications throughout North America over conventional wireless devices. www.investingvalue.net