Ariane 5 to Launch iPSTAR on August 11

Ready for blastoff: iPSTAR-1 is prepared for launch at Arianespace’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana (Arianespace/ESA/CNES photo)

EVRY, July 25, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — After the completion of additional checks and work on parts of the launcher, Arianespace announced today it was launching Thailand’s iPSTAR satellite on the night of August 11.

Arianespace will use a Generic version of the Ariane 5 to put into orbit the iPSTAR satellite for the Thai operator Shin Satellite Plc.

On July 18, Arianespace said it discovered an anomaly with ground equipment used to prepare the Ariane 5 launcher. This resulted in further delay in the launch of Thailand’s iPSTAR communications satellite earlier scheduled for July 11.

Arianespace said the Ariane 5 Generic launcher and its Thaicom 4 (iPSTAR) payload remain in a safe condition inside the Ariane 5 final assembly building at the Spaceport.

Thaicom 4, more popularly known as iPSTAR-1 broadband satellite, is touted to be the largest commercial telecommunications satellite to be ever carried into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The spacecraft has a mass at liftoff of more than 6,500 kg. (14,000 lb.).

iPSTAR-1 will provide direct-to-desktop, last-mile services, including new multimedia and data services to customers in Asia, India, and Australia. Featuring 87 Ku-band transponders and 10 Ka-band transponders, iPSTAR-1 is based on Space System/Loral's LS-13000S bus.

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