|
ABS celebrates the
launch of the
ground-breaking ABS-3A
satellite to connect the
Americas, Europe, Africa
and the Middle East.
2
March, 2015
ABS announced that
ABS-3A was successfully
launched aboard a SpaceX
Falcon 9 rocket from
Cape Canaveral, Florida
at 10:50 p.m. EST.
The satellite lifted off
as a conjoined stack
with EUTELSAT 115 West
B.
ABS-3A is the
revolutionary 702SP
satellite, with an
innovative design that
will have a significant
impact on the industry.
ABS-3A is lighter and
smaller than a
conventional satellite
due to the use of the
all- electric propulsion
system, making it more
economical to launch. A
conventional chemical
satellite uses 50% of
its weight during the
ascent into orbit. Built
by Boeing Space Systems
International, ABS-3A is
equipped with 48 x 72
MHz C & Ku-band
transponders and will
offer expanded
communications and
broadcast capacity
connecting the Americas,
Europe, the Middle East
and Africa at 3°W.
“We have always
called upon the industry
to be more cost
effective to better
compete with other
alternatives. Now we are
showing our lead to the
industry. We have not
only ordered two
all-electric propulsion
satellites, but also
collaborated with
Eutelsat to obtain a
volume discount as our
two satellites are part
of a four satellite, two
launch multi-party
agreement we have
negotiated with Boeing
and SpaceX respectively,
” said Tom Choi, CEO of
ABS.
“We
would like to thank both
SpaceX and Boeing for
their collaboration for
delivering today’s
successful launch.
With
ABS-3A innovative design
and capability, we will
be able to provide our
customers with the most
attractive rates and
flexible service
offerings in the
market.”
“ABS chose to
place its trust in
Boeing by being one of
the first customers to
order the 702SP
all-electric propulsion
satellite,” said Mark
Spiwak, president of
Boeing Satellite Systems
International, Inc.
“Boeing is proud to
provide this innovative,
industry leading
capability to ABS in
support of their growing
business needs.”
ABS-3A is the
first of two satellites
planned by ABS for
launch in 2015. ABS-2A
is due to be launched in
the fourth quarter of
2015 and will represent
the same technological
innovation at the
leading edge of the
industry. <>
|
