Intelsat 17 And Hylas 1
Aerospace Daily Nov 30, 2010 PROGRAMS Arianespace orbited two communications satellites on Nov. 26 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The two spacecraft were Intelsat 17, launched for international satellite operator Intelsat, and Hylas 1, for the European operator Avanti Communications. The flight marked the 54th Ariane 5 launch. Intelsat 17 is being maneuvered to its parking orbit of 68.5 deg. East longitude as a replacement for the 16-year-old Intelsat 702. Manufacturer Space Systems/Loral reports Intelsat 17’s solar arrays deployed nominally and its thrusters were fired twice to begin the maneuver into geosynchronous orbit. The spacecraft will provide video and network services across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Intelsat 17 weighed 5,540 kg. (12,200 lb.) at launch and is fitted with a hybrid C- and Ku-band payload with a design life of 18 years. It will deliver a wide range of communication services for Europe, the Middle East, Russia and A...