Satellite Technology Feature Article
October 30, 2009
SES WORLD SKIES Announces Successful Launch of NSS-12 Satellite
By Jyothi Shanbhag, TMCnet Contributor
SES WORLD SKIES, an SES (News - Alert) company reportedly announced the successful launch of NSS-12 satellite into space on-board an Ariane 5 ECA booster from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Initial signals from NSS-12 were confirmed received at a control station in Uralla, Australia.
Rob Bednarek, president and CEO of SES WORLD SKIES, said that the flawless launch of NSS-12, which occurred on Oct. 29, lets the company ensure seamless continuity for a variety of customers at the key orbital position of 57 degrees East and considerably increases our capacity on-orbit.
“Our thanks for a mission well accomplished go to the skilled engineering and operations teams of Arianespace (News - Alert), Space Systems/Loral and SES ENGINEERING,” Bednarek said in a statement. “After NSS-9 in February, this is the second successful Ariane 5 launch of an SES satellite in 2009.”
NSS-12, a built by Space Systems/Loral is expected to provide comprehensive and robust coverage of some of the world’s fastest-growing markets. The spacecraft replaces NSS-703 at 57 degrees East and covers virtually the entire Eastern Hemisphere, bringing increased capacity and transmission power to a key orbital location at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia.
It includes 40 C-band transponders and 48 Ku-band transponders with DTH power levels, as well as elaborate beam interconnectivity and C-/Ku-band cross-strapping to offer DTH power and performance through four regional Ku-band spot beams over the Middle East and Europe, Central and South Asia and, for the first time, East Africa.
“NSS-12 will be the 59th Space Systems/Loral satellite now orbiting the earth,” said John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral, in a statement. “Every completed satellite and successful launch is an exciting achievement and a testament to our companies’ ability to collaborate as a team.”
The launch services on-board Ariane 5 was provided by Arianespace.
“I would like to personally thank SES for their long-standing confidence, and for having once again chosen Arianespace, the global benchmark in satellite launch services,” Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman and CEO of Arianespace, said in a statement.
The spacecraft, procured by SES Satellite Leasing Limited in the Isle of Man, is said to be the 41st satellite in SES’ global fleet.
Jyothi Shanbhag is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Jyothi's articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Amy Tierney
