Solidaridad-2 & Thaicom-2

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

01:07:00

Saturday October 8, 1994

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Last Ariane 44L with an H10+ stage. Flight V68.

Solidaridad-2

Wiki

When the Mexican government planned the implementation of a second-generation satellite system, it turned again to Hughes Space and Communications Company. The new pair of spacecraft is called Solidaridad, signifying the way satellite telecommunications are uniting the urban and remote parts of the country with one another and the rest of the world. These replace the two Hughes-built Morelos satellites, the first of which was retired in 1994 after nine years of service. The Solidaridad contract was signed in May 1991. The spacecraft are operated by the government agency Telecomunicaciones de Mexico (Telecomm). Hughes provided two Hughes HS-601 model high-power spacecraft, associated ground equipment, and training. The first satellite was launched on Nov. 19, 1993, and the second was Oct. 7, 1994, on Ariane-44LP H10+ and Ariane-44L H10+ boosters respectively from Kourou, French Guiana. The Solidaridad contract calls for a satellite life of 14 years.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

2,276 kilograms

Thaicom-2

Wiki

Mindful of the growing population and business base in Thailand, Shinawatra Computer and Communications Co. Ltd. (SC&C) signed a contract with Hughes Space and Communications Company in October 1991 to develop the country's first dedicated communications satellite system. Two satellites, light-weight versions of Hughes' popular Hughes HS-376 model, were ordered to be built and delivered in 24 and 28 months, respectively. The system was named "Thaicom" by King Bhumiphol, to symbolize the link between Thailand and modern communications technology. The satellites were called Thaicom 1 and Thaicom 2 Based on the reliable HS-376 bus, each Thaicom satellite has two Ku-band transponders (plus one spare), powered by 47-watt traveling-wave tube amplifiers. The effective isotropic radiated power over Thailand is 50 dBW. The spacecraft also carries 10 C-band transponders (plus two spares), linked to 11-watt solid-state power amplifiers. These have a broader coverage area, from Japan to Singapore, and provide 33 to 38 dBW.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

1,080 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 44L

Active 1989 to 2003

European Space Agency logo

Manufacturer

ESA

Rocket

Diameter: 3.8m

Height: 58.72m

Payload to Orbit

GTO: 4,720 kg

Liftoff Thrust

6,000 Kilonewtons

Stages

3

Strap-ons

4

Launch Site

ELA-2

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

16 days

Stats

Ariane 4


40th

Mission

6th

Mission of 1994

European Space Agency


59th

Mission

6th

Mission of 1994

1994


68th

Orbital launch attempt