EUTELSAT 115
West B
launched
successfully
into space
2
March 2015
Eutelsat
Communications
announces
the
successful
launch of
the EUTELSAT
115 West B
satellite.
The 2.2-tonne
all-electric
satellite
built by
Boeing was
lofted into
orbit on 1
March at
10.50 EST
(03.50 UTC).
It separated
from the
Falcon 9
launcher
after a
35-minute
flight, with
telemetry
subsequently
received and
processed at
Boeing’s
mission
control
centre in El
Segundo,
California.
Speaking
from Cape
Canaveral,
Michel de
Rosen,
Eutelsat
Chairman and
CEO, said:
“We are
delighted to
see EUTELSAT
115 West B
on its way
into space
and thank
SpaceX for
this
successful
launch. With
this
satellite we
are
trailblazing
a new era of
electric
propulsion
for orbit
raising that
opens
opportunities
for greater
efficiency
and higher
competitivity.
It’s another
first in
Eutelsat’s
30-year
track record
of
innovation
that propels
our industry
onto the
next stage.”
Patricio
Northland,
CEO of
Eutelsat
Americas,
also
commented
from the
launch site:
“The
EUTELSAT 115
West B
satellite
will
transform
the service
we can offer
clients
delivering
data
services
that include
broadband,
cellular
backhaul,
VSAT
solutions
and social
connectivity.
In addition
to
delivering
high-performance
C and
Ku-band
capacity,
our
footprint
will extend
beyond Latin
American
markets into
Canada and
Alaska.
Tonight’s
launch
reaffirms us
more than
ever as the
satellite
company of
reference
for the
Americas.”
Over the
coming three
days
EUTELSAT 115
West B’s
electric
propulsion
system will
be prepared
for
orbit-raising
that is
scheduled to
commence on
7 March and
last for
approximately
eight
months.
Following
this
timeline,
the
satellite
will undergo
performance
tests prior
to
commercial
entry into
service in
November
2015.
The
satellite
will be
followed
into orbit
later this
year by the
all-electric
EUTELSAT 117
West B
satellite
that will be
located at
117° West to
boost
capacity for
Latin
America
broadcast
markets. The
third pillar
in
Eutelsat’s
expansion in
the Americas
will be
EUTELSAT 65
West A that
is scheduled
for launch
in 2016 in
advance of
the Olympic
Games in
Brazil. It
will feature
high-power
coverage of
Brazil and
Latin
America in
C, Ku and Ka-bands.
