Payload:
W7 communications satellite
Spacebus 4000 C4
Separated spacecraft mass: Approx. 5,627 kg
Launch Vehicle:
Proton M/Breeze M
705,000 kg (1,554,000 lbs), including payload
58.2 m (191 ft)
Launch Date:
November 24, 2009
Launch Time:
20:19 Baikonur
14:19 GMT
09:19 EST
15:19 CET
Launch Site:
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launch Pad 39
Launch Customer:
Eutelsat, France
Satellite Manufacturer:
Thales Alenia Space, France
Launch Vehicle Manufacturer:
Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, Moscow
Launch Services Provider:
International Launch Services, Reston, Va.
Satellite Use:
W7 will be collocated with the W4 satellite at 36 degrees East to double resources at one of Eutelsat’s fastest-growing video neighborhoods. Through a configuration of 70 transponders connected to high-performance fixed and steerable beams, the satellite will provide coverage of Russia and sub-Saharan Africa for digital broadcasting services, including pay-TV, and add flexibility for growing markets in central Asia. W7 will also assume all traffic on Eutelsat’s 18-transponder SESAT 1 satellite, which is currently positioned at 36 degrees East, and which will subsequently continue in commercial service at an alternative location.
Satellite Statistics:
__Up to 70 Ku-Band transponders
__Orbital location: 36 degrees East longitude
__Anticipated service life: 15 years
Mission Profile:
The Proton M launch vehicle, utilizing a 5-burn Breeze M mission design, will lift off from Pad 39 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, with the W7 satellite on board. The first three stages of the Proton will use a standard ascent profile to place the Ascent Unit (payload fairing, Breeze M upper stage and the W7 satellite) into a sub-orbital trajectory. From this point in the mission, the Breeze M will perform planned mission maneuvers to advance the Orbital Unit first to a circular parking orbit, then to an intermediate orbit, followed by a transfer orbit, and finally to a geo-transfer orbit. Separation of the W7 satellite is scheduled to occur approximately 9 hours, 12 minutes after liftoff.
Target Orbit at Separation:
Apogee: 35,596 km (22,118miles)
Perigee: 4,920 km (3,057miles)
Inclination: 20.9 degrees
Spacecraft Separation:
Approximately 9 hours, 12 minutes after liftoff
ILS Mission Statistics:
__6th ILS Proton Launch of 2009
__55th Proton Launch for ILS
__5th Eutelsat Satellite Launched on a Proton
__5th Spacebus 4000 Launched on a Proton
__7th Thales Alenia Space Satellite Launched on a Proton
Live Broadcast:
Test signals starting at 8:30 a.m. EDT
Live Coverage starting at 9:01 a.m. EDT
Launch is scheduled for 9:19 a.m. EDT
Broadcast concludes no later than 10:00 a.m. EDT (Firm Out)
In North America the broadcast may be seen on:
Satellite: Galaxy 16
Transponder: 14C
Orbital Position: 99 W
Band: C Analog NTSC
Bandwidth: 36 MHz
Downlink Frequency: 3980.0 Vertical
In Europe the broadcast may be seen on:
Satellite: NSS 7
Digital Channel: ENV8 / EUH8 Channel AB
Orbital Position: 338 degrees East
Band: KU Digital PAL
Bandwidth: 9 MHz
Downlink Frequency: 11684.5 Horizontal
Sym Rate: 5.632
FEC: 3/4
More Information:
Live webcast at www.ilslaunch.com will begin approximately 20 minutes before liftoff. General mission information and launch status updates are available at the website or on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at 1-800-852-4980.