“We are looking forward to initiating the NSS-9 mission for SES NEW
SKIES with the upcoming launch from Kourou aboard an Ariane rocket and
the in-orbit testing sequence that will be conducted in the weeks to
follow,” said Mr.
Orbital highlighted that the NSS-9 satellite was delivered for launch in less than 23 months from the start of the contract. Mr. Larkin added, “With this efficient operational performance, we achieved an important company goal of further improving our industry-leading production cycle time to under 24 months on a routine basis.”
The NSS-9 spacecraft will provide C-band telecommunications services using three interconnected beams, enabling global, Eastern and Western hemisphere coverage. The satellite, which is based on Orbital’s STAR-2 platform, has a launch mass of approximately 2,200 kilograms and will generate approximately 2.3 kW 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 in-orbit testing.
Orbital’s highly successful communications satellites are based on the company’s STAR spacecraft platform, which is able to accommodate all types of commercial communications payloads. The STAR design is optimized for smaller satellite missions, generating between two and five kilowatts of payload power.
For many applications, the lighter-weight, more-affordable STAR design is an attractive alternative to the larger, more costly satellites offered by other suppliers. Orbital’s STAR satellites are smaller and significantly less expensive to manufacture and launch. They are an ideal fit for established companies that require incremental capacity for their network or for customers in the early stages of building their business.
About SES NEW SKIES
SES NEW SKIES is an SES GLOBAL company (
Headquartered in
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 editors:
High resolution (300+ d.p.i.) images of the NSS-9 satellite are available on the company’s web site at: http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/ImagesMultimedia/Images/SatelliteSpaceSystems/index.shtml
Source:
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Barron Beneski (703) 406-5528
Public
and Investor Relations
beneski.barron@orbital.com