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
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, September 13
SpaceX, Northrop Grumman to launch supplies to ISS
Spectrum News — 5:52 am ET (0952 GMT) Cornell-led space tech startup acquired by Pasteur Labs
Cornell Univ. — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) How China Is Transforming Space Power
The Diplomat — 5:46 am ET (0946 GMT) Two billionaires have very different — and equally wild — visions of a future in space. Is either possible?
CNN — 5:43 am ET (0943 GMT) Rare photos show 'deeply personal' moments in space
BBC — 5:36 am ET (0936 GMT) |
