spacetoday.net: Atlas launches communications satellite

Posted: Fri, Feb 6, 2004, 9:45 AM ET (1445 GMT)
Atlas 2AS launch of AMC-10 (ILS)

An Atlas 2 booster successfully launched a communications satellite Thursday night. The Atlas 2AS lifted off from pad 36A at Cape Canaveral at 6:46 pm EST (2346 GMT) and placed the AMC-10 communications satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit 28 minutes later. The launch was delayed 50 minutes because of problems with a helium valve, but the problem was corrected and the launch took place with 20 minutes to spare in the launch window. AMC-10 is a Lockheed Martin A2100-series spacecraft that will operate from 135 degrees west longitude, replacing the existing Satcom C-4 satellite there. SES Americom will use AMC-10's 24 C-band transponders to relay programming for a number of cable television networks. A twin satellite, AMC-11, is scheduled for launch on another Atlas 2AS in May.