Space
Systems/Loral-Built ProtoStar I Satellite Successfully Performs Post-Launch
Manoeuvres
(8 July 2008) Space Systems/Loral
(SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications, and the world's
leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, today announced that the
ProtoStar I satellite, which was launched on Monday afternoon from the European
Spaceport in Kourou, French Guyana, is successfully performing post-launch
manoeuvres.
It deployed its solar arrays on Monday evening and
will begin thruster firings later today to place it in its circular
geosynchronous orbit.
"Every time a satellite built at Space
Systems/Loral is launched, we share a tremendous excitement with the operator,"
said John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral.
"Satellite communications continue to play an essential role around the world
and more bits are transported over SS/L-built satellites than over satellites
from any other manufacturer."
Orbit raising operations are being
conducted from SS/L's Mission Control Center in Palo Alto, Calif. Following
final placement into its orbital slot the satellite will undergo routine
in-orbit testing, and will begin providing service to ProtoStar's anchor
customer, Dish TV India Limited, the largest Direct-to-Home television operator
in India. The satellite's Tracking, Telemetry, and Command will be managed by
Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), which is also a C-band customer
on the satellite.
"Starting back in 2002, Space Systems/Loral was
willing to help us along as a start-up while our plans and financing took
shape," said Philip Father, president and CEO of Protostar LTD. "All along
we've been able to rely on SS/L. Now they have delivered on schedule and
provided us with the top quality satellite that is bringing our vision to
fruition."
The satellite is based on SS/L's highly reliable,
high-heritage, 1300 spacecraft bus, which provides the flexibility for a broad
range of applications. It will operate in both Ku-Band and C-Band and is
expected to provide more than 15 years of service.
About
ProtoStar
ProtoStar, a Bermuda corporation with subsidiary operations in
San Francisco, CA, and Singapore, was formed to acquire and operate high-power
geostationary satellites optimised for DTH satellite television in the
Asia-Pacific region. The firm is led by seasoned veterans from the satellite,
direct-to-home television, telecommunications and finance
industries.
About Space Systems/Loral
Based in Palo Alto,
California, SS/L designs and builds satellites and spacecraft systems for
commercial and government customers around the world. As the leading provider
of high-power commercial satellites, the company works closely with satellite
operators to deliver spacecraft for a broad range of services including
direct-to-home television, digital audio radio, broadband Internet, and digital
multimedia broadcasting. With a 50-year history and more than 1,400 on-orbit
years logged, SS/L helps customers meet business objectives with advanced
solutions based on space-proven heritage designs.
About Loral Space
& Communications
Loral Space & Communications is a satellite
communications company. Through its Space Systems/Loral subsidiary, the company
is a world-class leader in the design and manufacture of satellites and
satellite systems for commercial and government applications including
direct-to-home television, broadband communications, wireless telephony,
weather monitoring and air traffic management. Loral also owns 64 percent of
Telesat Canada, one of the world's largest providers of satellite services.
Telesat Canada operates a fleet of telecommunications satellites used to
broadcast video entertainment programming, distribute direct-to-home video and
broadband data services, and other value-added communications
services.
(source: Space Systems/Loral)
