spacetoday.net: H-2A launches commercial satellite

Posted: Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 4:48 PM ET (2148 GMT)
H-2A launch of Telsat 12 Vantage (MHI)

A Japanese H-2A rocket launched a communications satellite for a Canadian company in a rare commercial mission for the launch vehicle. The H-2A lifted off from the Tanegashima Space Center at 1:50 am EST (0650 GMT, 3:50 pm Japan time) Tuesday and released the Telstar 12 Vantage satellite into orbit four a half hours later. The satellite, built by Airbus Defence and Space for Telesat, weighed 4,800 kilograms at launch and carries a payload of Ka- and Ku-band transponders. The satellite will operate from 15 degree west in GEO, serving customers on both sides of the Atlantic. The launch was the first commercial communications satellite launched by the H-2A, whose manufacturer, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, hopes to have play a bigger role in the commercial launch market.