An artist's concept of the GE-1A satellite in space. Photo: GE Americom

Americom Asia-Pacific, LLC is a joint venture formed by GE American Communications, Inc. and Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications to provide satellite telecommunications services in Asia.

Combining unmatched expertise in satellite communications, customer knowledge, world renowned state-of-the-art technology and global name recognition, Americom Asia-Pacific, LLC will offer the highest-level of customer service. Initially, Americom Asia-Pacific is planning to provide broadcasting and telecommunications in India, China, and SE Asia. The company plans to provide a full range of services on a global scale.

The GE-1A spacecraft was built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company in Sunnyvale, California for Americom Asia-Pacific, LLC. The A2100AX represents the newest generation of satellites, designed specifically for geostationary communications missions, which takes advantage of benefits derived from the latest technology improvements and a 15-year design life.

The payload configuration provides 28 high powered Ku-Band transponders. The spacecraft has dual surface, shaped, 96-inch, 85-inch and 44-inch reflectors and is a three-axis stabilized platform with single-axis oriented multi-panel solar arrays. The dry mass of the spacecraft is approximately 1,601 kg and the liftoff mass is approximately 3,593 kg after the spacecraft is loaded with propellants. The physical dimensions (L x W x H) of the spacecraft are approximately 3.1 m x 2.5 m x 6.1 m. Fully deployed, it will measure approximately 27 meters across the solar wing span and approximately 9 meters across the antennas.

The Proton/GE-1A mission is to inject the spacecraft into an optimized Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Following separation from the Block DM upper stage, the spacecraft onboard liquid apogee engine will be fired in a series of burns to raise perigee, lower inclination and to circularize the orbit. The satellite will be eventually located in geostationary orbit at 108 degrees E.L.