spacetoday.net: Ariane 5 launches two satellites

Posted: Tue, Jul 8, 2008, 8:17 AM ET (1217 GMT)
Ariane 5 launch of ProtoStar 1 and BADR-6 (Arianespace)

An Ariane 5 successfully launched two communications satellites for Middle Eastern and American operators on Monday. The Ariane 5 ECA lifted off from Kourou, French Guiana at 5:47 pm EDT (2147 GMT) and placed the ProtoStar 1 and BADR-6 satellites in geosynchronous transfer orbits about a half-hour later. ProtoStar 1 is the first satellite for US operator ProtoStar. The spacecraft, a Space Systems/Loral 1300-series spacecraft, weighed 4,200 kilograms at launch and carries 38 C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders. It will operate from 98.5 degrees east in GEO, providing direct-to-home TV and broadband Internet services for southeast Asia. BADR-6, an Astrium Eurostar 2000+ series spacecraft, weighed 3,400 kilograms at launch and carries 24 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders. The spacecraft, owned by Arabsat, will operate at 26 degrees east and provide television broadcasting services for the Middle East and North Africa.