-- Company s 32nd Commercial Geosynchronous
Spacecraft Set to Launch Today from Cape Canaveral in Florida --
DULLES, Va.Jan. 6, 2014--
Orbital
Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world s leading space
technology companies, today announced that it is in final preparations
for the launch of the THAICOM
6 communications satellite, a hybrid Ku-band and C-band satellite
built for THAICOM Plc., that will provide coverage for Southeast Asia
and Africa. Designed, manufactured and tested at Orbital s Dulles, VA
satellite production facilities, THAICOM 6 is scheduled to be launched
aboard a Space Exploration Technologies Falcon 9 rocket from Cape
Canaveral, Florida, at approximately 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, January 6,
2014.
Following its launch, the satellite will undergo several weeks of
in-orbit testing and verification that all subsystems are operating as
planned. Once testing is complete and the spacecraft is positioned at
its final orbital location of 78.5 degrees East Longitude, day-to-day
control of THAICOM 6 will be handed over to THAICOM s satellite
operations staff.
We are ready to begin 2014 in the best way possible, by providing our
THAICOM customer with a great beginning for the next satellite in their
network, said Mr. Christopher Richmond, Orbital s Senior Vice President
of Communications Satellites. We are looking forward to a successful
launch and are eager to begin our in-orbit activation and testing
operations in the first few days of the new year.
At launch, THAICOM 6 will weigh approximately 3,330 Kg. It carries a
hybrid Ku- and C-band payload that will operate on approximately 3.5
kilowatts of payload power. The Ku-band payload is comprised of eight
active transponders (9x36-MHz Transponder Equivalent) providing services
to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. The C-band payload features 12
active C-band transponders providing services via a regional beam to
Southeast Asia and six active C-band transponders (12x36-MHz TPE)
providing services to Africa.
The THAICOM 6 communications satellite is based on Orbital s highly
successful GEOStar spacecraft platform, which is able to accommodate all
types of commercial communications payloads and is compatible with all
major commercial launchers. The GEOStar design is optimized for
satellite missions requiring up to 7.5 kilowatts of payload power. In
many instances, the affordable GEOStar satellites can be built and
delivered in 24 months or less.
About THAICOM Public Company Limited
THAICOM Plc, established in 1991, has more than 20 years of experience
in the satellite business. THAICOM is Asia s leading satellite operator
with a unique proposition in providing integrated solutions for
satellite broadcast and broadband services. The company has launched
five satellites since its inception, including THAICOM 5, a Hot Bird
broadcasting satellite for Thailand and Southeast Asia, boarding more
than 500 TV channels, and THAICOM 4 (IPSTAR), the world s first
broadband satellite providing broadband services to 14 countries across
Asia-Pacific. The company s launch of THAICOM 6 will provide additional
capacity to strengthen THAICOM s Hot Bird position, and will also
serve the African market under the name Aficom-1 . Furthermore,
THAICOM-7 will also be launched in 2014 to expand THAICOM s service
capabilities and coverage in the regions.
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.
Follow the company on Twitter @OrbitalSciences.
Source: Orbital Sciences Corporation
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public
and Investor Relations
beneski.barron@orbital.com