Posted on 03/15/2004 11:54:19 PM PST by klpt
The Eutelsat W3A satellite successfully launched into the early morning sky above the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Carried by the Russian-built Proton M rocket, the W3A satellite will provide telecommunications services for regions of Africa and Europe for at least 12 years.
Two minutes after a flawless launch, the Proton M vehicle carrying the W3A satellite shed the first of its three stages. The second stage was successfully jettisoned about five minutes into the mission and, 10 minutes after launch, the W3A experienced the first of five burns by its Breeze M booster which will slowly push the satellite higher into orbit until it can use its onboard engine to reach geostationary orbit 22,300 miles (35,888 kilometers) above Earth. It is currently in a short coast phase awaiting its second Breeze M burn.
According to Eutelsat, the EADS Astrium-built W3A satellite is one of its most sophisticated satellites, combining both the Ku- and Ka-band frequencies, as well as on-board multi-plexing (SKYPLEX) and steerable beams. It is the first to carry the new Eurostar E3000 platform into operation and is designed to provide distance learning, Internet access and telemedicine access for users in Africa.
The W3A satellite is expected to reach its final geostationary orbit about nine hours and 10 minutes after launch
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.