|
|
|
|
|
Orbital receives contract for MEASAT-1R satellite ORBITAL SCIENCES NEWS RELEASE Posted: November 14, 2005 Orbital Sciences Corporation announced today that MEASAT Satellite Systems of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has signed a contract to purchase one geosynchronous (GEO) communications satellite from the company. The satellite, which will be based on Orbital's industry-leading STARTM satellite platform, will be called MEASAT-1R and will be launched into a Malaysian orbital slot at 91.5 degrees East Longitude over Southeast Asia. The launch of the new spacecraft is scheduled for September 2007. "Once again, our smaller-sized STARTM GEO satellite platform has proved to be the right fit for an important satellite operator in Asia," said Dr. Ali Atia, head of Orbital's commercial GEO satellite business unit. "We are delighted to add MEASAT to the list of blue-chip customers who have recognized the benefits of small satellites and adopted the 'STAR small-satellite solution.'" Speaking for MEASAT Satellite Systems, Mr. Tun Hanif said, "The MEASAT 91.5 deg E orbital location is developing into one of the region's premier satellite slots, with more than two million antennas now focused on the existing MEASAT-1 satellite. Our decision to procure MEASAT-1R shows our commitment to support our customers' expanding requirements for high-quality, high-powered satellite capacity. Orbital, with a strong track record of delivering reliable spacecraft to schedule, was a clear choice for us." The new satellite will carry 12 Ku-band and 12 C-band active transponders along with three antennas. The satellite will serve C-band markets throughout the region with a global beam, and Ku-band beams will serve direct-to-home broadcasting markets in Malaysia and Indonesia. The satellite will generate approximately 3.6 kilowatts of payload power. This is the fourth commercial communications satellite order received by Orbital this year. Other operators who have chosen the company's STAR GEO platform in 2005 include PanAmSat, which purchased the hybrid C- and Ku-band PAS-11 satellite in April and the Horizons-2 satellite in August as part of a joint venture with JSAT Corporation. In addition, Norway's Telenor Broadcast Services ordered the THOR II-R Ku-band satellite from Orbital in September. Orbital develops and manufactures small space systems for commercial, civil government and military customers. The company's primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-orbit, geostationary and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing and scientific missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense boosters that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also offers space-related technical services to government agencies and develops and builds satellite-based transportation management systems for public transit agencies and private vehicle fleet operators. |
|
|
|
 |
||||||||||||||||||||
A new image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope reveals billowing mountains of dust ablaze with the fires of stellar youth. The majestic infrared view from Spitzer resembles the iconic "Pillars of Creation" picture taken of the Eagle Nebula in visible light by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
This week marks the anniversary of arguably the most daring and complex space shuttle mission. The astronauts successfully launched two satellites and then recovered two others during extraordinary spacewalks by astronauts using jet-propelled backpacks and pure muscle power.
Commander Bill McArthur and flight engineer Valery Tokarev conduct a 5 1/2-hour spacewalk outside the International Space Station, installing a TV camera, doing repair chores and jettisoning a failed science probe.
Return to flight space shuttle commander Eileen Collins narrates an interesting slide show featuring some favorite photographs of Earth taken during her previous shuttle missions.
NASA Administrator Mike Griffin goes before the U.S. House of Representative's Science Committee to provide an update on the moon-Mars exploration program, the future of the space shuttle and space station, possible servicing of Hubble, cost overruns on the James Webb Space Telescope and the agency's aeronautics research.
The Senate Commerce Committee holds a confirmation hearing on President Bush's nomination of Shana Dale to be the new NASA deputy administrator, replacing former astronaut Fred Gregory.
As NASA celebrates five years of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station, former resident astronauts from Expedition crews who lived aboard the outpost held this recent question and answer session at the Johnson Space Center.
For the first time since Hurricane Katrina, NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi conducts a test-firing of a space shuttle main engine. The engine was run as part of a certification series on the Advanced Health Management System, which monitors engine performance.