Mission Update: GovSat-1 Communications Satellite

Mission Update

The Orbital ATK-built GovSat-1 launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on January 31, 2018 at 4:25 p.m. EST. The satellite separated successfully from the launch vehicle approximately 32 minutes into the mission after reaching its targeted orbit. Orbital ATK completed the satellite’s initial post-launch health check and configuration in preparation for 16 days of orbit-raising procedures and in-orbit tests. Once testing has been completed, operational control of GovSat-1 will be handed over to GovSat.

GovSat-1, built in Orbital ATK’s satellite manufacturing facility in Dulles, Virginia, is based on the company's GEOStar-3 platform. It is an X-band and military Ka-band satellite that provides high-powered and fully steerable spot beams for multiple government missions. The satellite will be positioned on the European geostationary orbit arc and provide coverage to Europe, the Middle East and Africa, along with extensive maritime coverage over the Mediterranean and Baltic seas, and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

GovSat-1 in Orbital ATK's Dulles, Virginia, Satellite Manufacturing Facility.

About Orbital ATK GEOStar Satellites

Orbital ATK’s highly successful Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) communications satellites are based on the company’s GEOStar spacecraft platform, which is able to accommodate all types of commercial communications payloads and is compatible with all major commercial launchers. The company’s GEOStar product line includes the GEOStar-2 design, which is optimized for smaller satellite missions that can support up to 5.0 kilowatts of payload power. Orbital ATK has also developed the higher power GEOStar-3 spacecraft design, delivering the next increment of payload power for applications between 5.0 and 8.0 kilowatts, allowing Orbital ATK to offer its innovative and reliable satellite design to the medium-class of communications satellites.

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