ILS to Launch MBSat on Atlas III
Media Advisory
Payload: MBSat
Space Systems/Loral 1300 platform
Separated mass: Approx. 9,134 lbs (4,143 kg)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas III, designated AC-202
Weight at liftoff: 484,383 lbs (219,712 kg), including payload
Fairing: 14 ft (4.2 m) diameter aluminum
Height: 170.2 ft (51.9 m)
Launch Date: Friday, March 12, 2004
Launch Window: 90 minutes
00:41-02:11 a.m. EST
05:41-07:11 GMT
14:41-16:11 Tokyo & Seoul
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Complex 36B
Customer and Satellite Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), Palo Alto, Calif.
End Users: Mobile Broadcasting Corp. (MBCO), Tokyo, Japan; SK Telecom (SKT), Seoul, Korea
Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Denver, Colo.
Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services, McLean, Va.
Satellite Use: MBSAT will deliver digital multimedia information services such as CD-quality audio, MPEG-4 video and data to mobile users throughout Japan and Korea.
Satellite Statistics:
- SS/L 1300 model satellite bus
- Ku-band uplink and Ku- and S-band downlinks
- 144 degrees East longitude operating position
Mission Profile: This mission will use a parking orbit ascent trajectory design with two Centaur burn phases. The vehicle will use both in-flight retargeting and minimum residual shutdown to inject the satellite into the best transfer orbit possible. The satelliteís own attitude and orbital control system will perform a series of burns to lower apogee and raise perigee to geosynchronous altitude and reduce inclination.
Spacecraft Separation: About 29 minutes after liftoff
Orbital Parameters (@ Separation):
Apogee Altitude: 17,755-19,408 nm (32,883-35,944 km)
Perigee Altitude: 98 nm (182 km)
Inclination: 23.43-26.6 deg
Flight Azimuth: 97.5 deg
ILS Mission Statistics:
- 2nd Atlas launch in 2004
- 2nd ILS launch of the year
- 21st ILS launch of SS/Loral-built satellite
- 5th flight of Atlas III series
- Atlas family has perfect record in 69 consecutive flights
NEWS MEDIA ACTIVITIES
All times are EST unless otherwise indicated
Media Briefing: Pre-launch news conference at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, at the Radisson Resort in Cape Canaveral.
Remote Camera Set-up: Photographers should meet at 3 p.m., Thursday March 11, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Pass & ID Building for escort to Pad 36.
Launch Viewing: Accredited press covering the launch should meet at the CCAFS Pass & ID Building at 11 p.m. Thursday, March 11, for Air Force escort to Press Site 1.
More Information: General mission information and a live webcast of the launch will be available on the ILS website. Launch status updates will be available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.
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CONTACT: Fran Slimmer, ILS, McLean, Va.: +1-571-633-7462; mobile: +1-646-229-4801; Cape Canaveral: +1-321-476-5283; fran.slimmer@lmco.com
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