Sky Muster satellite performing post-launch
From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/SSL_built_Sky_Muster_satellite_performing_post_launch_maneuvers_according_to_plan_999.html
Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, has announced that its second high throughput satellite designed and built for Australia’s national broadband network (nbn) was launched on Wednesday afternoon and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan.
The satellite, Sky Muster II, deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
It will begin firing its main thruster early tomorrow morning in order to propel it toward its final geostationary orbit. nbn will use Sky Muster II in conjunction with the first Sky Muster satellite, to provide high-speed broadband service to more than 200,000 Australians.
“The two nbn satellites are very sophisticated and complex high throughput satellites that will bring broadband internet to people that can’t be reached by the country’s fiber, cable, and wireless networks,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “SSL commends nbn on the implementation of its vision, which is improving the quality of life for so many people.”
Like the first nbn satellite, also built by SSL and launched last year, Sky Muster II is a Ka-band, high-throughput broadband satellite that uses multiple spot beams in an advanced design that optimizes bandwidth for Australia’s widely distributed population.
Together, the two satellites provide advanced services to Australia’s most difficult to reach citizens, including those in mainland Australia as well as those on offshore islands including Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Lord Howe Island, Cocos, and Macquarie Island in the Antarctic.
“Sky Muster II, working in concert with the Sky Muster I satellite, will help bring essential services such as telehealth, video-conferencing, and distance education to people in regional and remote Australia,” said Bill Morrow, chief executive officer of nbn.
“SSL has performed well in providing us with the space segment for our extensive network and our teams have worked closely to reinforce the Sky Muster service coverage with the Sky Muster II satellite.”
Sky Muster II is based on the powerful SSL 1300 platform, which provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications and advanced technologies. The SSL 1300 is the world’s leading platform for broadband HTS service.
