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Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
16:24:00
Friday April 3, 2009
Eutelsat Communications and Alcatel announced in September 2006 that Eutelsat has retained Alcatel Alenia Space for the design, manufacturing, assembling, tests, and on-ground delivery of the Eutelsat W2A satellite. The main mission of this powerful new satellite will be to extend Ku-band capacity for video, broadband, and telecommunications services in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and boost the C-band capacity available through Eutelsat's fleet for services across Africa. Eutelsat has also asked Alcatel to proceed with head-start activities for a state-of-the-art S-band payload at 2.2 GHz on W2A. A final decision on flying the S-band payload will be taken by Eutelsat in October following the completion of a full assessment of market demand, the regulatory framework, and financing.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
1 Payload
5,900 kilograms
Manufacturer
KhrunichevPrice
$65.00 million
Rocket
Height: 58.18m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 21,000 kg
GTO: 6,900 kg
Liftoff Thrust
10,027 Kilonewtons
Fairing
Diameter: 4.35m
Height: 15.26m
Stages
4
31st
Mission
2nd
Mission of 2009
17th
Orbital launch attempt