Arianespace ready to launch 3 satellites
July 23, 2020
By Chris Forrester
Arianespace has confirmed that it will launch 3 geostationary satellites next week. The launch date/time is currently July 28th at 5.29pm local (French Guiana) time (21.29 UTC).
The cargo manifest comprises 3 satellites: Japan’s BSAT-4b craft built by Maxar Technologies along with the Galaxy 30 satellite for Intelsat which will boost capacity for UHD television. The third craft is commonly called a ‘Space Tug’ but is correctly known as a Mission Extension Vehicle and is the second MEV. Northrop Grumman built the Intelsat satellites as well as MEV-2.
BSAT-4b will considerably add to transmission capacity over Japan for 8K Ultra HD as well as 4K broadcasts. The satellite was originally planned to be in orbit to serve the Olympic Games, now delayed.
The ‘Rescue Tug’ will eventually orbit and link up with Intelsat 10-02 which operates at 1 degree West. Intelsat 10-02 was launched in 2004 and has worked extremely well. But MEV-2 is planned to extend the life of the satellite by 5 more years.
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