Ariane 5 Lofts Measat-3b, Optus-10 Telecom Satellites

摘要

Europe's Ariane 5 EGA heavy-lift rocket on Sept. 11 successfully placed into orbit commercial telecommunications satellites for Malaysian and Australian satellite operators. It was the vehicle's 61st consecutive success. The Measat-3b satellite, riding in the Ariane 5's upper berth, weighed 5,897 kilograms at launch and carries 48 Ku-band transponders to bolster Measat's direct-broadcast television service and extend Measat's reach to new customers. The satellite, built by Europe's Airbus Defence and Space, also carries an experimental S-band transponder. Measat-3b will operate at 91.5 degrees east, where it will be co-located with the Measat-3 and Measat-3a satellites.