Good news all around after the successful launch of AsiaSat 9 especially from SSL the builder of this spacecraft. Once the launch occurs it's not just sit back and relax, it's all the other tasks such as solar arrays and firing main thrusters as revealed below in SSL's post launch statement.
SSL's Statement
PALO ALTO, California/Hong Kong — Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), Asia’s leading satellite operator and SSL, a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, today announced that the high performance AsiaSat 9 satellite was launched on 29 September Baikonur time (28 September US time) and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan.
The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard a Proton Breeze M vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS). It will begin firing its main thruster on 30 September Hong Kong time (29 September US time) to propel toward its final geostationary orbit. AsiaSat 9 provides high-power C-band coverage and additional Ku-band capacity for direct-to-home (DTH) television broadcast, video distribution, VSAT broadband networks and mobility services across the Asia-Pacific region.
AsiaSat 9 provides high performance for multiple missions including DTH, video distribution, broadband and mobility services
“It has been our pleasure to work closely with the AsiaSat team to develop this innovative spacecraft,” said Dario Zamarian, Group President of SSL. “I would like to thank and congratulate the teams at AsiaSat, ILS and SSL for making the launch of AsiaSat 9 a success.”
AsiaSat 9 is the fifth and most powerful satellite that SSL has provided to AsiaSat, and it will help AsiaSat meet the continued growth in demand for both broadcast, communications and connectivity in the region. It incorporates numerous technology advances for higher power, more efficiency and flexibility, and additional capacity that will drive advanced services for AsiaSat’s customers.
“AsiaSat 9 expands our reach into new markets with excellent power and coverage, and helps us broaden and add even more value to the services we can provide to our customers,” said Andrew Jordan, President and Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat. “SSL is a trusted and reliable partner in innovating and advancing the capability of our satellite fleet and our collaboration on AsiaSat 9 has resulted in a satellite that provides much faster communication rates and greater efficiency and flexibility than AsiaSat 4, which it is replacing.”
AsiaSat 9 is equipped with multiple C-, Ku- and Ka-band payloads that provide coverage including the world’s first dedicated Ku-band Myanmar beam, new high-powered Ku-band beams for Indonesia and Mongolia, and two enhanced Ku-band beams serving Australasia and East Asia, as well as a wider high-power C-band global beam. It will replace AsiaSat 4 at 122 degrees East and is built on the SSL 1300 platform, and designed to provide service for 15 years or more.
