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Ariane Successfully Launches Intelsat 904

More Information:

An Ariane 44L successfully launched Intelsat 904 from Kourou, pad ELA 2, at 0659 UTC (10:59 p.m. PST February 22) on February 23. The spacecraft was injected into a geosyncrhonous transfer orbit (GTO) with a perigee of 200.1 km, with a target of 199.8 km (+/- 3 km), an apogee of 35,947 km, with a target of 35,944 km (+/- 150 km) and an inclination of 6.99 degrees, with a target of 7.00 degrees (+/- 0.06 degrees). The satellite will be positioned in geostationary orbit at 60°E. Intelsat 904 will provide Internet, broadcast, telephony and corporate network services for Europe, Africa, Central Asia, the Far East and Australia. Intelsat 604, currently at 60°E, will be moved to occupy one of Intelsat's new slots at 157°E to offer service to customers in the Pacific Ocean region.

Intelsat 904 is the third satellite delivered in the IX series. The 4672 kg (10,296 lbm) Space Systems/Loral-built LS-1300 spacecraft is designed to operate for at least 13 years. The spacecraft carries 76 C-band transponders and 22 Ku-band transponders (in 36 MHz unit equivalents). The spacecraft’s solar arrays will generate more than 8.600 kW of power (beginning of life).

Intelsat 903 is scheduled for launch in March on a Proton. Seven more Ariane 4 launch vehicles remain to fly, before the rocket is retired.

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February 23, 2002