ILS To Launch Inmarsat Satellite On Atlas V

ILS To Launch Inmarsat Satellite On Atlas V

Media Advisory

Payload: Inmarsat 4-F1
Geosynchronous multi-use communications satellite
Separated mass: Approx. 5,945 kg (13,106 lbs)
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V, 431 configuration, designated AV-004
4-meter diameter (13.75 ft) Extra Extended Payload Fairing (13.8 m/45.4 ft)

3 strap-on solid rocket boosters, built by Aerojet, Sacramento, Calif.

Single-engine Lockheed Martin Centaur upper stage RD-180 main engine, from
Pratt & Whitney/Energomash

Weight at liftoff: 479,699 kg (1,057,575 lbs) with payload

Height: 59 m (194 ft)


Launch Date: Thursday, March 10, 2005
Launch Window: 15 minutes
4:42-4:57 p.m. EST
21:42-21:57 GMT
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Complex 41
End User: Inmarsat Ltd., London
Satellite Manufacturer: EADS Astrium, Toulouse, France
Launch Vehicle Manufacturer: Atlas vehicle and Centaur upper stage built by
Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver, Colo.; San Diego, Calif.; and
Harlingen, Texas.
Launch Services Provider: International Launch Services, McLean, Va.
Satellite Use: First in next generation of satellites, which will support
Inmarsat's new Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN), delivering internet and
intranet content and solutions, video-on-demand, videoconferencing, fax,
e-mail, phone and LAN access at speeds up to 432kbit/s almost anywhere in
the world. BGAN will also be compatible with third-generation cellular
systems.
Satellite Statistics:
Eurostar E3000 model

Largest and most powerful commercial communications satellite launched by
Atlas to date

C- and L-band

Capability for more than 200 spot beams

Operating position 65 degrees East longitude

13 years targeted lifetime

Mission Profile: Atlas V will place Inmarsat 4-F1 into orbit with a
super-synchronous transfer orbit mission, using a parking orbit ascent
trajectory design with two Centaur burn phases. The mission employs a
guidance-commanded shutdown. The satellite's own attitude and orbital
control system will perform a series of burns to lower apogee and raise
perigee to geosynchronous altitude, circularize orbit and reduce
inclination.
Spacecraft Separation: About 32 minutes after liftoff
Orbital Parameters (@ Separation):
Apogee Altitude: 48,864 nm (90,497.5 km)
Perigee Altitude: 237.6 nm (4,40 km)
Inclination: 20.83 deg
ILS Mission Statistics:
5th commercial flight of Atlas V

2nd Atlas flight in 2005

3rd ILS mission this year

Atlas family has perfect record in 75 consecutive flights

NEWS MEDIA ACTIVITIES
All times are EST unless otherwise indicated
Remote Camera Set-up: Meet at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Pass & ID at
4 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, for transfer to van that will take you to Pad 41.
Media Briefing: Pre-launch news conference at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 9,
at the Florida Space Authority building, 100 Spaceport Way, outside CCAFS
Gate 1.
Vehicle Rollout: The new meet time at Pass & ID is 5:30 a.m. Access is
limited to 15 journalists and reservations are required by contacting Julie
Andrews of Lockheed Martin at 321-853-1567.
Launch Viewing: Media should meet in the parking lot of the Florida Space
Authority, just beyond our usual spot at Pass & ID, at 2:45 pm Thursday.
This is to keep us clear of the buses that will be gathering for the guests.
We will be using the Kennedy Space Center Press Site.
Live Broadcast: In the U.S., Intelsat IA-6, transponder 9, C-band, 93
degrees West, downlink frequency 3880 MHz (vertical).
In Europe, Newskies NSS 7, transponder ENV1/EUH1 Ch 2, Ku-band, 338 degrees
East, downlink frequency 10995.50 (horizontal); symbol 6.1113, FEC 3/4


Test signals begin about 4 p.m. EST (21:00 GMT).


More Information: General mission information and a live webcast of the
launch will be available on the ILS website at www.ilslaunch.com. Launch
status updates will be available on the ILS U.S. domestic Launch Hotline at
1-800-852-4980.
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CONTACTS:
Fran Slimmer, ILS, McLean: +1-571-633-7462; mobile: +1-646-229-4801; Cape
Canaveral: +1-321-476-5283;
Julie Andrews, Lockheed Martin, Cape Canaveral: +1-321-853-1567; mobile:
+1-321-750-1000; @lmco.com"julie.c
@lmco.com

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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info