Orbital Built Thaicom 6 Communications Satellite Successfully Launched
— 149th Satellite Produced by Company to Provide Communications Services Across Southeast Asia and Africa —
— Spacecraft Activation and In-Orbit Testing Procedures Now Underway —
(Dulles, VA 7 January 2014) — Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB), one of the world’s leading space technology companies, today announced the THAICOM 6 communications satellite, built by the company for THAICOM Plc., was successfully launched into orbit yesterday aboard a Space Exploration Technologies Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Lift off occurred at approximately 5:06 p.m. (EST) on January 6 and the satellite was successfully separated from the rocket and deployed into a super-synchronous transfer orbit approximately 31 minutes later.
Over the next several weeks, Orbital’s satellite engineering and operations team will work with their THAICOM counterparts to conduct orbit-raising maneuvers and in-orbit testing to verify all the spacecraft systems are functioning properly before it is officially turned over to THAICOM for full operational control and commencement of commercial service.
“Early in the initial check-out and testing process, the THAICOM 6 satellite is performing very well,” said Mr. Christopher Richmond, Orbital’s Senior Vice President of communications satellites. “This is the first GEOStar communications satellite we have built for THAICOM and we are proud to be a part of their team, helping to address an increase in demand for telecommunications services across Southeast Asia and Africa.”
Orbital designed, built and tested the THAICOM 6 satellite at its satellite manufacturing and test facility in Dulles, VA. The satellite carries a hybrid Ku- and C-band payload that operates with approximately 3.5 kilowatts of payload power. The Ku-band payload is comprised of eight active transponders (9×36-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 (12×36-MHz Transponder Equivalent) providing services to Africa. THAICOM 6 will be located in orbit at 78.5 degrees East Longitude.
With this launch, 149 Orbital-built satellites have been produced and delivered to commercial, civil government and national security customers during the last 30 years. Of these, 32 have been GEOStar-class geosynchronous communications and broadcasting spacecraft for commercial customers around the world, while another 45 have been LEOStar-class low-orbit commercial communications and imaging satellites. Seventy two additional satellites have been built for various government agencies and scientific organizations.
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
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For More Information Contact:
Barron Beneski (703) 406-5528
Public and Investor Relations
beneski.barron@orbital.com
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