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Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company (AsiaSat) had earlier
announced that the postponement of the launch by a day due to high
winds.
A press release informs that AsiaSat 4, a Boeing 601HP satellite,
will be deployed at the orbital location of 122 degrees East longitude.
The new satellite will be the most powerful member of AsiaSat's
satellite fleet, carrying 28 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders
with a 15-year design life, the release adds.
The release also informs that AsiaSat 4's pan-Asian C-band footprint
will cover more than 40 countries and regions spanning from New
Zealand to the Middle East. Its Ku-band coverage will consist of
two high-power focused beams for East Asia and Australasia, as well
as a new BSS (Broadcast Satellite Service) payload for Direct-to-Home
(DTH) services in Hong Kong and the adjacent South China region.
AsiaSat 4 is designed to provide advanced satellite services including
broadband and IP solutions, and telecommunications services such
as private networks for business and rural telephony in the Asia
Pacific. Reports indicate that the new satellite has a life expectancy
of 15 years.
In addition, AsiaSat 4 will complement the company's two existing
satellites, AsiaSat 2 and AsiaSat 3S, allowing customers to enjoy
greater flexibility for regional coverage and comprehensive back
up options, adds a release.
The release also says that the Lockheed Martin-built Atlas 3B rocket
used an RD 180 liquid oxygen and kerosene main engine to boost the
satellite into space. A liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen-powered
Centaur upper stage placed the satellite into a geostationary orbit
over Indonesia.
The cost of the mission was about US $240 million, including the
satellite and the launch vehicle, AsiaSat said.
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