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The Mission




Rocket: Atlas 3 (AC-202)
Payload: MBSAT
Date: March 13, 2004
Window: 12:40 to 2:10 a.m. EST (0540-0710 GMT)
Site: Complex 36B, Cape Canaveral, Florida
Satellite feed: Galaxy 3, Transponder 4, C-band

Launch events timeline

Ground track map time

Orbit insertion graphic

Launch hazard area



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Liftoff
A short video clip showing the liftoff and initial seconds of flight for the Atlas 3A rocket carrying the Mobile Broadcasting Satellite. (51sec file)
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Launch through L+5min
The Lockheed Martin Atlas 3A rocket launches the Mobile Broadcasting Satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida. (5min 04sec file)
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Launch animation
Preview the launch of Lockheed Martin's Atlas 3A rocket carrying the MBSAT communications satellite with this narrated animation package. (3min 2sec file)
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MBSAT Overview
An overview of the Mobile Broadcasting Satellite being launched by the Atlas 3A rocket to serve Japan and South Korea. (5min 32sec file)
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Post-launch speeches
Senior officials with the Atlas launch and MBSAT spacecraft payload celebrate this successsful flight. (3min 38sec file)
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More video



The Payload




The Mobile Broadcasting Satellite, or MBSAT, was built by Space Systems/Loral to beam video and music programming to portable receivers across Japan and South Korea.

Learn more



The Launcher




Lockheed Martin's Atlas 3 rocket will launch MBSAT. The American booster uses a Russian-made first stage engine.

Atlas 3 fact sheet

RD-180 engine facts

Archived Atlas coverage



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BY JUSTIN RAY

Follow the countdown and launch of the Lockheed Martin Atlas 3A rocket with the MBSAT mobile broadcasting communications satellite. Reload this page for the very latest on the mission.

Read our earlier status center coverage.