NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Intelsat-Americas 8

Launch Time
Thu Jun 23, 2005 14:02 UTC

Rocket

Zenit-3 SL
Image Credit: Sea Launch
Sea Launch
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 7,257 kN
Payload to LEO: 13,740 kg
Payload to GTO: 6,000 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 59.46 m
Fairing Diameter: 4.1 m
Fairing Height: 10.4 m

Mission Details

Intelsat-Americas 8

Telstar 8 or Intelsat-Americas 8 and Telstar 9, both hybrid C-, Ka-, and Ku-band spacecraft, are scheduled for launch in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Skynet's customers use the satellites in a wide variety of applications, ranging from cable and direct-to-home television to Internet applications, to news gathering, distance learning, business TV, and telephony.

Built by SS/L for Loral Skynet, Telstar-8 is one of the most powerful communications satellites ever designed. It is the first to be built on SS/L's extended 1300 bus (SSL-1300S) and will carry 92 transponders with a total end-of-life power of 16 kw. The payload will include 36 Ku-band, 22 C-band, and 24 Ka-band active transponders, providing coverage across North and South America.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 5,493.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Location

LP Odyssey, Kiritimati Launch Area, Pacific Ocean

Stats

2005

25th orbital launch attempt

Zenit

53rd mission
3rd mission of 2005
42nd successful mission
3rd consecutive successful mission