Ariane 5 launches massive communications satellite
Posted: Thu, Jul 2, 2009, 3:57 AM ET (0757 GMT)
An Ariane 5 rocket launched the heaviest commercial communications satellite on Wednesday. The Ariane 5 ECA lifted off at 1:52 pm EDT (1752 GMT) Wednesday after a 99-minute delay caused by weather and placed the TerreStar-1 satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit 26 minutes later. The satellite, the sole payload carried by the rocket, weighed 6,910 kilograms at launch, making it the heaviest commercial communications satellite ever launched. The Space Systems/Loral-built satellite will be used by TerreStar Networks at 111 degrees west in GEO to provide mobile communications services across North America at S-band wavelengths, integrated with terrestrial wireless networks.
An Ariane 5 rocket launched the heaviest commercial communications satellite on Wednesday. The Ariane 5 ECA lifted off at 1:52 pm EDT (1752 GMT) Wednesday after a 99-minute delay caused by weather and placed the TerreStar-1 satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit 26 minutes later. The satellite, the sole payload carried by the rocket, weighed 6,910 kilograms at launch, making it the heaviest commercial communications satellite ever launched. The Space Systems/Loral-built satellite will be used by TerreStar Networks at 111 degrees west in GEO to provide mobile communications services across North America at S-band wavelengths, integrated with terrestrial wireless networks.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Report outlines cost growth in canceled NASA exploration programs
Posted: Sat, Jun 27 11:14 AM ET (1514 GMT) Perseverance Mars rover finds more potential biosignatures
Posted: Sat, Jun 27 11:12 AM ET (1512 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, June 30
Starlink’s Architects Launch Eclipse to Open the Megaconstellation Era to New Players
Business Wire — 6:31 am ET (1031 GMT) Rocket Lab buys Iridium in $8 billion deal to take on SpaceX
Reuters — 6:25 am ET (1025 GMT) Rocket Lab CEO vows commitment to aero as firm buys Iridium
Runway Girl Network — 6:21 am ET (1021 GMT) Rocket Lab expands space biz with $8 billion deal
Axios — 6:21 am ET (1021 GMT) Rocket Lab to acquire satellite firm Iridium
Radio New Zealand — 6:21 am ET (1021 GMT) |
