Satellite Manufacturers Look for Ways To Reduce Costs

摘要

When Boeing first approached the U.S. Air Force with plans to produce the seventh, eighth and ninth satellites in the Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) communications constellation, the company's proposal was soundly rejected.Boeing Space and Intelligence System's plan to build the new satellites in much the same way it built the first six WGS spacecraft made each satellite too expensive, Mark Spiwak, Boeing's director for WGS programs, said.Boeing went back to the drawing board. Instead of following the traditional model for building sophisticated satellites for government customers, Boeing drew on its expertise in building commercial spacecraft to forge a new plan. Boeing offered to build additional WGS satellites under a firm, fixed-price contract, allowing the government to lockin its price. The company also proposed building WGS-7, WGS-8 and WGS-9 as part of a program that featured less government oversight, fewer reporting requirements and less testing.