SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF PAS-1R
Boeing 702 is Second in Series for PanAmSat
KOUROU, French Guiana, Nov. 15, 2000 -- PAS-1R, the second Boeing 702 satellite built for PanAmSat Corporation, was successfully launched today on board an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Center on the northeastern coast of South America. Liftoff occurred at 5:07 p.m. PST, and PAS-1R's first signals were received 27 minutes later at the Hartebeesthoek, South Africa, satellite tracking station, confirming that systems are operating normally. PAS-1R will replace PAS-1, a 12-year old satellite that is nearing end of life.
"PAS-1R is the newest link in the expansion of worldwide satellite communications," noted Tig H. Krekel, President of Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. (BSS.) "This satellite carries twice the capacity of PAS-1. In addition to providing digital video and data throughout the Americas, Europe and Africa, PAS-1R is capable of supporting both existing as well as future Internet applications. The future is here and the Boeing 702 satellite models have brought it."
The 702 is the largest and most powerful spacecraft in the Boeing line, using state-of-the-art technologies in propulsion, power generation and thermal control. This latest satellite will employ the advanced xenon ion propulsion system (XIPSTM), using four 25-cm thrusters for attitude control, as well as for orbit-raising. Once in its final operational orbit, PAS-1R will weigh 6,730 pounds and measure 134 feet in length and 27 feet in width with its solar panels and antennas deployed. PAS-1R will operate from 45 degrees West longitude.
PAS-1R carries a payload of 72 active transponders. The 36-transponder C-band payload will provide general telecommunications traffic such as voice, data and television relay and the 36 Ku-band transponders will supply direct-to-user services. To support this capacity, PAS-1R employs two five-panel solar arrays, each using dual-junction gallium arsenide cells.
Once operational, PAS-1R will provide communications services to North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. It is the 22nd satellite in the PanAmSat fleet and will serve a broad range of customers including Reuters, Citibank, Impsat, Latinet, and DIRECTVTM Latin America, to name a few.
PanAmSat Corporation (NASDAQ:SPOT), based in Greenwich, Conn., is a leading provider of global video and data broadcasting services via satellite The company builds, owns and operates networks that deliver entertainment and information to cable television systems, TV broadcast affiliates, direct-to-home operators, Internet service providers, telecommunications companies and corporations.
BSS is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites and a major provider of space systems, satellites, and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications. The company was formed in October 2000 when Boeing acquired the Hughes Electronics satellite manufacturing companies, which included Hughes Space and Communications Company, Hughes Electron Dynamics, Spectrolab, Inc., and Hughes Electronics' 50 percent share of HRL Laboratories.
The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA), headquartered in Seattle, is the largest aerospace company in the world and the United States' leading exporter. It is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles, and advanced information and communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia.
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BOEING SATELLITE SYSTEMS, INC.
Public Relations Department
P.O. Box 92919 (S10/S323)
Los Angeles, CA 90009
Public Relations (310) 364-6363
www.boeing.com/satellite
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