Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Ariane 5 Go Hi, Go Go… Boeing & Lockheed Applaud

With this latest success, Ariane 5s have orbited a total of six telecom satellites in 2007. (Photo: Arianespace)
SPACEPORT, FRENCH GUIANA: August 16, 2007—Satnews Daily—We’ve been reporting on the Arianespace’ Ariane 5 launch prep for the past several days and all is well after the successful heavy-lift climb-out on the 14th. The dual-satellite payload of Spaceway 3 and BSAT-3a are in their geostationary orbits. Spaceway 3, one of the largest telecommunications satellites ever built (Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc.), was released at approximately 27 minutes into the flight. Seven minutes later, BSAT-3a (Lockheed Martin) was released.



This is the Ariane 5’s third launch in 2007 and the solid rocket vehicle has orbited six telecommunications satellites so far this year. Hughes Network Systems, LLC, will operate Spaceway 3. Satellite-delivered broadband services will be delivered to North American private, public and government customers. BSAT-3a will be operated by Japan’s Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) and will offer direct TV links for the entire Japanese archipelago.















With Spaceway 3 installed atop its SYLDA dispenser, the Ariane 5 fairing is moved into place. (courtesy: ESA, CNES, Arianespace, photo Optique Video du CSG)
The Boeing-built Spaceway 3 satellite will offer customers a new range of broadband-via-satellite services throughout North America. The technology behind these services includes a digital processor, downlink phased array antenna, microwave switch matrix, plus flight hardware and software for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint connectivity. Boeing and Hughes will complete on orbit testing and the deployment of the spacecraft’s 132-foot solar arrays over the next several months. Upon completion of checkout and system acceptance, Hughes will then place the satellite into commercial operation to provide advanced HughesNet services.



As Howard Chambers, the vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems so aptly stated, “Boeing is helping Hughes in its vision to ‘Connect to the Future’ through satellite-based Internet services. Flying more than 22,000 miles above North America, the Spaceway 3 satellite will allow Hughes Network Systems to provide existing and new customers with high-speed, two-way communications for Internet, data, voice, video and multimedia applications."