Long Beach, Calif., June 21, 2009 - The Land Launch Zenit-3SLB system has successfully inserted the MEASAT-3a communications satellite (formerly MEASAT-1R) into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, at the end of a mission originating from the Zenit launch site at the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan. All systems performed as planned.
A Zenit-3SLB vehicle lifted off the from the Land Launch pad at 2:50 pm Pacific Time (21:50 GMT, June 21) on its way to a final orbital position of 91.5 degrees East Longitude. The 2,366 kg (5,216 lb) MEASAT-3a spacecraft separated from the Block DM-3SLB upper stage about six hours later, with a ground station in Uralla, Australia, acquiring the first signals from orbit shortly after separation.
Orbital Sciences built the MEASAT-3a spacecraft for MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd, to expand capacity and in-orbit redundancy for MEASAT’s customers. MEASAT is a premium supplier of satellite communications services to Asia’s leading broadcasters, direct-to-home (DTH) platforms and telecom operators.
“Congratulations to MEASAT and to Orbital, and to the entire Land Launch team for successfully completing this mission,” said Kjell Karlsen, president and general manager of Sea Launch. “This accomplishment represents the work of Space International Services, based in Moscow, and its collaboration with the Sea Launch partnership.”
Orbital’s STAR-2 spacecraft platform carries 12 Ku-band and 12 C-band transponders. It includes three antennas that will provide C-band fixed satellite services across the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Australia, as well as Ku-band DTH television broadcasting to Malaysia and Indonesia. The spacecraft is designed for a 15-year service life on orbit and will generate approximately 3.6 kW of payload power.
“We would like to thank the entire Land Launch team, as well as those of Orbital and MEASAT, for their hard work and dedication which has led to the successful launch of the MEASAT-3a satellite today. On the completion of in-orbit testing, MEASAT-3a will provide a significant boost to our network capacity, allowing the continued expansion of our business across the wider Asia Pacific region,” said Paul Brown-Kenyon, COO, MEASAT.
About Sea Launch Company
Sea Launch Company, LLC, headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications satellites. With the advantage of a launch site on the Equator, the robust Zenit-3SL rocket can lift a heavier mass or provide longer life on orbit, offering best value plus optimized spacecraft orbital delivery. Sea Launch also offers Land Launch services for medium weight satellites, with launch operations originating from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan. For more information, please visit the Sea Launch website at: www.sea-launch.com
Contact: Paula Korn, 562.499.4729 or 562.254.5684 (cell), paula.korn@sea-launch.com |
