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TerreStar chooses Arianespace for launch ARIANESPACE NEWS RELEASE Posted: November 14, 2006 Arianespace and TerreStar Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Motient Corporation (MNCP) and an emerging North American mobile communications operator, signed a "Launch on Demand" contract for TerreStar I, which will be the largest commercial communications satellite ever launched into geostationary orbit. "We are very proud of our role in the development of the TerreStar system," said Jean-Yves Le Gall, Arianespace CEO. "Winning a contract from this pioneer in new communications technologies once again underscores the excellent service and solutions offered by Arianespace." The "Launch on Demand" contract between TerreStar and Arianespace, a first in the industry, provides for up to three dedicated launch vehicles and entitles TerreStar to a launch window for TerreStar I, commencing November 2007. The contract includes options for two additional launch vehicles, which TerreStar may assign to affiliates for operations in Europe or elsewhere. TerreStar I will be launched into geostationary transfer orbit by an Ariane 5 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Commenting on the signing, Robert H. Brumley, President and CEO said, "We made the strategic decision to execute a firm, fixed-price contract for launch vehicles with Arianespace to avoid preemption by priority customers. Arianespace's success record and professional reputation were the key differentiators that led us to choose them for this critical mission. This partnership will help bring the next evolution in mobile communications to the North American and European markets and is further demonstration of TerreStar's continued commitment to meet its regulatory requirements and business objectives." This is the 277th launch contract won by Arianespace since being founded in March 1980. TerreStar I is currently under construction by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) in Palo Alto, California and will be the 33rd platform built by SS/L to be launched by Arianespace. TerreStar I will offer up to 500 spotbeams and a design life exceeding 15 years. |
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The space shuttle Discovery is hoisted high into the Vehicle Assembly Building and mated with its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters.
Space shuttle Discovery makes an evening move October 31 from its processing hangar to the Vehicle Assembly Building for mating with an external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters in preparation for the STS-116 mission.
The objectives of the just-approved final Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission are detailed and the anticipated science from the new instruments to be installed are detailed in this briefing from Goddard Space Flight Center.
The crew for the final Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission will be led by Scott Altman, with pilot Greg C. Johnson, robot arm operator Megan McArthur and spacewalkers Andrew Feustel, Mike Good, John Grunsfeld and Mike Massimino. The astronauts meet the press in this news briefing from Johnson Space Center.
The twin STEREO space observatories designed to change the way we view the sun launch from Cape Canaveral aboard a Boeing Delta 2 rocket.