The N-STAR c mobile communications satellite has successfully achieved geostationary orbit 22,300 miles above the planet, two weeks after its launch, the joint manufacturing team of Lockheed Martin and Orbital Sciences announced Monday.

An artist's concept of N-STAR c in orbit. Credit: Orbital

The spacecraft was lofted into an egg-shaped geosynchronous transfer orbit by an Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket July 5. Since then, controllers have guided N-STAR c into a circular perch above the equator.

Initial testing of the satellite and deployments of its two power-generating solar arrays and antenna reflector have been completed as planned, officials said.

Over the next several weeks, engineers will conduct a more comprehensive series of in-orbit tests to ensure the satellite is ready to be handed over to the Japanese mobile communications company NTT DoCoMo. The transfer of control is expected next month.

"We are very pleased with the way the N-STAR c mission is progressing. The Ariane launch vehicle accurately delivered the spacecraft into its intended orbit and the satellite is functioning as expected at this stage of its checkout. We are looking forward to delivering an excellent satellite to our NTT DoCoMo customer a little over a month from now," said David Thompson, Orbital's chairman and CEO.

The satellite is designed for a 10-year on-orbit life to provide mobile telephony and data transfer services to Japan and its surrounding waters. N-STAR c will operate in S-band frequencies with a C-band feeder link from its orbital location at 136 degrees East longitude.

An illustration of how N-STAR c will work. Credit: Orbital

NTT DoCoMo is Japan's leading mobile communications company, providing wireless voice and data communications to tens of millions of subscribers. The firm already has two satellites in orbit; N-Star c is supposed to offer better signal strength than the other spacecraft, allowing customers to use smaller phones.

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for N-STAR c and built the communications payload. Orbital Sciences built the satellite's structure, ground system and arranged for the launch. The satellite, based on Orbital's STAR-2 bus design, was assembled and integrated at Lockheed Martin facilities in Newtown, Pennsylvania.