The NSS-9 spacecraft will provide C-band telecommunications services using three interconnected beams, enabling global, Eastern and Western hemisphere coverage. The satellite weighed approximately 2,200 kilograms at launch and will generate approximately 2.3 kilowatts of payload power to service 28 active transponders. The NSS-9 satellite will be positioned at 183 degrees East longitude upon successful completion of its testing.
“The early mission results show that the NSS-9 satellite is off to a
very good start. The initial tests we ran overnight were successful and
we anticipate a smooth in-orbit check-out sequence over the next several
weeks,” stated Mr.
During the next several days, the NSS-9 satellite will perform a series of orbit-raising burns using its onboard rocket engines to achieve a circular orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the Earth. For several weeks thereafter, the SES and Orbital mission engineering team will conduct a comprehensive series of tests to ensure the spacecraft is ready for final hand-over to the customer.
Over the past five years, Orbital has established itself as the world
leader in the market for smaller-sized GEO communications satellites.
Orbital currently has 10 additional GEO spacecraft in various stages of
design, production and testing at its
The company’s commercial communications satellite business is in
addition to Orbital’s long-established presence in the market for civil
government space- and Earth-science satellites and its rapidly growing
position in the national security space systems market. To accommodate
the rapid growth of these satellite businesses, Orbital completed an
expansion of its manufacturing plant and has added approximately 500
people to its satellite design, manufacturing and testing operations at
its
About Orbital
Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. The company’s primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth orbit and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar and other missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also provides satellite subsystems and space-related technical services to government agencies and laboratories. More information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com
Note to Editor: High-resolution images of the NSS-9 satellite are available on Orbital’s web site at: http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/Images/GEO/index.html
Source:
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Public and Investor Relations
Barron
Beneski, 703-406-5528
beneski.barron@orbital.com