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15 November 2010 Last updated at 14:19 GMT
By Jonathan Amos Science correspondent, BBC News
Skyterra1 (Boeing) Once deployed, the antenna reflector will measure 22m (72ft) across
A US satellite carrying the biggest commercial antenna reflector ever put in space has been launched successfully from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.
The mesh structure on the Skyterra-1 spacecraft is 22m (72ft) across.
It will relay signals for a new 4G-LTE mobile phone and data system for North America run by Lightsquared.
Callers whose networks are tied into the system will be automatically switched to a satellite if they are out of range of a terrestrial mast.
Lightsquared is the latest effort to try to establish a hybrid satellite-terrestrial system in the US.
Two previous ventures ran into financial problems. Both Terrestar and DBSD North America had to seek legal protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy rules while they sought to restructure enormous debts built up as they rolled out their systems.
Skyterra-1 (Boeing) The satellite has been built by Boeing
LightSquared has promised a different approach. It says its business will be wholesale only. It will be selling capacity to carriers who wish to offer go-anywhere connectivity to their consumers, be they phone or data users.
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