Atlas launches communications satellite
Posted: Thu, May 20, 2004, 7:33 AM ET (1133 GMT)
An Atlas 2AS launched a communications satellite Wednesday night on the penultimate launch of the venerable launch vehicle. The Atlas 2AS lifted off from pad 36B at Cape Canaveral at 6:22 pm EDT (2222 GMT), 30 minutes later than planned to allow engineers time to review data from a guidance computer on the booster. The rocket's payload, the AMC-11 satellite, separated from the vehicle's upper stage 28 minutes after liftoff, after entering a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The satellite, a Lockheed Martin A2100-series spacecraft, will be eventually stationed at 131 degrees west. The spacecraft will be used by SES Americom to relay television programming for a variety of cable networks. The launch is the next to last for the Atlas 2 family, with the final launch of the booster, carrying a military payload, planned for early July.
An Atlas 2AS launched a communications satellite Wednesday night on the penultimate launch of the venerable launch vehicle. The Atlas 2AS lifted off from pad 36B at Cape Canaveral at 6:22 pm EDT (2222 GMT), 30 minutes later than planned to allow engineers time to review data from a guidance computer on the booster. The rocket's payload, the AMC-11 satellite, separated from the vehicle's upper stage 28 minutes after liftoff, after entering a geosynchronous transfer orbit. The satellite, a Lockheed Martin A2100-series spacecraft, will be eventually stationed at 131 degrees west. The spacecraft will be used by SES Americom to relay television programming for a variety of cable networks. The launch is the next to last for the Atlas 2 family, with the final launch of the booster, carrying a military payload, planned for early July.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, January 9
ESA Plans 65 Missions In 2026 Driven By Earth Observation
Aviation Week — 7:37 am ET (1237 GMT) European Space Agency rethinks Mars plans as it kicks off a ‘mission-dense’ 2026
Aerospace America — 7:37 am ET (1237 GMT) French-U.K. Starlink rival pitches Canada on 'sovereign' satellite service for Arctic military operations
CBC — 7:35 am ET (1235 GMT) Space Force looks to expand West Coast heavy launch capabilities
Defense News — 7:33 am ET (1233 GMT) Air Force, Space Force announce acquisition changes amid Hegseth’s reform push
Defensescoop — 7:33 am ET (1233 GMT) |
