Ariane 4 Launches Intelsat 906

An Ariane 44L successfully launched Intelsat 906 from Kourou, pad ELA 2, at 06:44 UTC on September 6. The satellite will be positioned at 64.15°E, over the Indian Ocean, to provide Internet, broadcasting, telephony and networking services to Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. The satellite is expected to enter service in October. Intelsat 906 will replace Intelsat 804, which is scheduled to be moved to a new location at 176°E to provide additional support in the Pacific. The spacecraft was delivered into a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a perigee of 199.7 km (for a target of 199.8 km), and an apogee of 35,929 km (compared to a target of 35,943 km), with an inclination of 6.995 degrees (planned 7.00 degrees).

The 4,723 kg (10,410 lbm) Loral-built LS-1300HL spacecraft bus carries 72 C-band and 22 Ku-band transponders (in 36 MHz unit equivalents). The payload was designed and built by Alcatel Space. Beginning of Life power is 10.000 kW, and End of Life power 8.600 kW. Design life in orbit is more than 13 years.

This was the 22nd Intelsat satellite launched by Arianespace, accounting for 10 percent of Arianespace's business during the past 20 years. The remaining Intelsat 9 series spacecraft is scheduled for an Ariane 4 launch in the beginning of 2003. Only two Ariane 4 rockets remain to be flown. Arianespace’s next mission will launch the Eutelsat Hot Bird 7 direct-to-home TV broadcasting spacecraft and the French space agency's Stentor communications technology demonstration satellite. The Ariane 5 will be equipped with a new, more powerful cryogenic upper stage. The launch is expected in about two months, though a specific launch date has not been announced. Arianespace has 40 satellites booked for launch, as well as nine Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATVs). 

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