Harris Corp. reached $100 million in antenna orders for commercial satellites during the 2006 calendar year.
The unfurlable mesh antennas have been ordered by satellite manufacturers in both the United States and Europe and are used on satellites to transmit voice, radio and television broadcasts worldwide.
The Harris antennas feature a reflective, gold mesh surface and are stowed much like an umbrella for launch. In orbit, they deploy to form a large aperture with adequate surface area to enable communications with even the smallest of handsets, according to the company. The antennas cover L- and S-band frequencies.
"This milestone marks an important achievement for Harris as we continue to lead the market in developing and deploying these highly specialized antennas that enable high-speed communications via commercial satellites," said Russ Haney, president of national programs at Harris Government Communications Systems Division.
Haney said the company is supporting more and more commercial ventures that are providing diverse communications services ranging from satellite radio to mobile telephony and emerging mobile video.
The Melbourne, Fla.-based company has annual sales of about $3.5 billion and employs about 14,000 people. Two hundred engineers are supporting its spaceborne unfurlable mesh antenna programs at its testing facilities in Palm Bay, Fla.
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