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Atlas Launches ICO Into Medium Earth Orbit
Cape Canaveral - June 19, 2001 A Boeing modified 601 satellite was successfully launched today on an Atlas IIAS vehicle at Cape Canaveral AS, Fla. Liftoff occurred at 12:41 a.m. EDT, (4:41 a.m. GMT and 9:41 p.m. PDT, June 18.) Acquisition on the spacecraft was received one hour and 54 minutes later at Brisbane, Australia confirming that systems are operating normally. The satellite was built for ICO Global Communications, Uxbridge, England, by Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. (BSS), a unit of Boeing. This satellite is one of 15 under contract for construction by BSS. The launch was managed by International Launch Services. "We are extremely happy to launch this satellite for ICO Global Communications," said Randy H. Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems. "This satellite will be the test bed for the next generation of satellite telecommunications. Boeing is looking forward to launching more ICO satellites in the future and working with ICO Global Communications in providing a unique telephony and data communication system for the world." ICO satellite constellation will consist of 10 active satellites in two planes of medium-Earth orbit at an altitude of 10,390 kilometers (6,456 statute miles). The orbits will be inclined at 45 degrees to the equator with each plane having five operational satellites plus one spare. Initially, ICO will use it for testing of the integration of its space and ground systems, and will integrate it in the full constellation. "This is a great day for ICO," said Greg Clarke, ICO chief executive officer. "This launch fundamentally changes the character of ICO." ICO satellites will carry an integrated C- and S-band payload -- with a total of 5,100 watts of power and a peak effective isotropic radiated power of 58 dBW -- to support 4,500 simultaneous telephone calls. An onboard narrow band digital processor will perform channelization, routing and beam-forming of the S-band payload. The ICO satellites are 25 percent taller than the typical Boeing 601s, bringing the new design to roughly 16 feet high (5 meters). The added height accommodates the innovative transmit and receive antennas. The satellites also have a pair of four-panel solar wings, with dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells. The solar arrays will provide 8,900 watts of end-of-life power. Related Links ICO SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
AeroAstro Reviews Malaysian SPORT
Herndon - June 19, 2001Microsat maker AeroAstro, Inc. and its Malaysian partner, Astronautic Technology have passed the first program milestone in the development of the Small Payload ORbit Transfer vehicle (SPORT). |
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