Arabsat has announced the launch of its 4th Generation satellites, the most powerful state of the art satellites above the Arab World. Arabsat Badr-1 will be launched on 28th February 20:10 GMT, from Baikonur , Kazakhstan . Arabsat Badr-2 will be launched in Summer 2006.
Payload: ARABSAT 4A; Eurostar E2000+ platform; Separated mass: approx. 3,341kg (7,366 lbs)
Launch Vehicle: Proton M/Breeze M; Weight at liftoff: 691,272 kg (1.5 million lbs), including payload; Height: 61 m (200 ft)
Launch Time: 2:10 a.m. March 1 Baikonur; 20:10 Feb. 28 GMT; 3:10 p.m. Feb. 28 EST
End User: ARABSAT, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Satellite Manufacturer: EADS Astrium, Toulouse, France
Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services (ILS), McLean, Va.
Satellite Use: Multipurpose communications satellite serving Arab countries and neighbouring regions. A hybrid Ku- and C-band payload will carry direct-to-home, interactive TV and internet broadband services, with additional capacity to accommodate anticipated demand for high-definition TV.
Satellite Statistics: 16 active Ku-band transponders; 24 active C-band transponders; Orbital location: 26 degrees East longitude; – Anticipated service life of 15 years
Mission Profile: The Proton launch vehicle will inject the satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit, using a four-burn Breeze M mission design. The first three stages of the Proton will use a standard ascent trajectory to place the Breeze M fourth stage, with the satellite, into a suborbital trajectory, from which the Breeze M will place itself and the spacecraft into a circular parking orbit of 173 km (107.5 miles), inclined at 51.5 degrees. Then the satellite will be propelled to its transfer orbit by additional burns of the Breeze M. Following separation from the Breeze M, the spacecraft will perform a series of liquid apogee engine burns to raise perigee, lower inclination and circularize the orbit at the geostationary altitude of 35,786 km (22,236 miles).
More Information: Live webcast and general mission information are available on the ILS web site at www.ilslaunch.com. Launch status updates are available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.