 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Orbital-Built Horizons-2 Communications Satellite Launched
Dulles, VA (SPX) Jan 03, 2008 Orbital Sciences reports that the Horizons-2 satellite was successfully launched into orbit during a mission that took place December 21, 2007. The Horizons-2 spacecraft was delivered into its initial orbit by an Ariane 5 rocket launched from the European space launch complex located near the Equator in French Guiana. Results from early tests of the satellite conducted over the weekend indicate that it is operating as planned for this phase of its mission. Orbital designed, manufactured and tested the Horizons-2 satellite for HORIZONS-2 SATELLITE, LLC, a joint venture between Intelsat, Ltd. of Bermuda and JSAT Corporation of Japan. The spacecraft will occupy an orbital slot at 74 degrees West Longitude to help meet the growing demand for Ku-band satellite communications services in North America. The satellite features both a continental U.S. (CONUS) beam and an East Coast beam, which will extend the spacecraft's coverage to include the Caribbean and parts of Canada. The Horizons-2 satellite was the third Orbital-built GEO communications satellite to be launched in 2007, following the launch, deployment and commissioning of the Intelsat 11 and Optus D2 satellites in October. "The early results of the mission indicate that the Horizons-2 satellite is performing just as we would expect it to be as we embark on the more extensive set of in-orbit tests and orbit raising maneuvers over the next several weeks," stated Mr. Christopher Richmond, Senior Vice President and head of Orbital's GEO satellite product division. "We are grateful to Arianespace for another excellent launch campaign, resulting in the accurate deployment of the Horizons-2 satellite." During the next several days, the Horizons-2 satellite will perform a series of orbit-raising burns using its onboard rocket engines to achieve a circular orbit approximately 22,300 miles (35,800 kilometers) above the Earth. For several weeks afterwards, the mission engineering teams from Intelsat, JSAT and Orbital will conduct a comprehensive series of tests to ensure the spacecraft is ready for final hand-over to the customer. Orbital's commercial satellite business has experienced rapid growth over the past several years. Including the seven new orders the company has booked so far this year, Orbital currently has nine commercial GEO satellites and five science and defense spacecraft in various stages of design, production and testing at its Dulles, VA satellite manufacturing facility. To accommodate this rapid rate of growth, earlier this year Orbital completed an expansion of its manufacturing plant that, together with other facility improvements, has increased its manufacturing throughput capacity by over 30% as compared to one year ago.
related report Cannes, December 21, 2007 -- The RASCOM-QAF1 communications satellite, built by Thales Alenia Space as prime contractor, was successfully launched by an Ariane 5 GS rocket from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The satellite was built on behalf of pan-African operator RASCOMSTAR-QAF (RSQ), which was chosen by the Regional African Satellite Communication Organization (RASCOM) to deploy a system giving the African continent access to telecommunications services and new information and communications technologies. The system will eventually offer an expanded range of value-added services to all participating African countries, and will help reduce the digital divide with the rest of the world. "We are very pleased with the successful launch of this first communications satellite dedicated to Africa," said Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. "As the European leader in satellite systems, we are very proud of our role in helping RSQ reduce the digital divide in Africa. This ambitious project is a natural fit with our business culture, since we believe that every person in the world has a right to the resources needed to communicate with other people." According to Faraj Elamari, Chief Executive Officer of RASCOMSTAR-QAF, "The RASCOM system was created to resolve telecom-related problems in Africa. We are very honored to be chosen as the operator of this system, which will play a strategic role in the development of our continent. This new satellite system will enable us to close the gap between our urban and rural zones, and between Africa and the rest of the world. It will offer complete connectivity across the continent, and will allow Africa to play an active role in today's exciting information society." Thales Alenia Space delivered the satellite in orbit, along with its ground control station in Gharyan, Libya. Based on the Spacebus 4000B3 platform, the Rascom-QAF1 satellite is fitted with 12 Ku-band and eight C-band transponders. It weighed about 3,200 kilograms at launch, and will provide 6.4 kW of power at end-of-life. The satellite will be positioned at 2.85 degrees East longitude, allowing it to cover the African continent, as well as parts of Europe and the Middle East. Related Links Orbital Sciences The latest information about the Commercial Satellite Industry
Boeing Completes Handover Of Hughes' Spaceway 3 Satellite
St. Louis MO (SPX) Dec 19, 2007Boeing has announced the successful on-orbit handover of the Spaceway 3 commercial communications satellite to Hughes Network Systems (HUGHES). Hughes will utilize the Boeing-built satellite to provide HughesNet broadband-via-satellite services throughout North America. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright Space.TV Corporation. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space.TV Corp on any Web page published or hosted by Space.TV Corp. Privacy Statement |
