Space

Launch of AMOS 2 Communications Satellite by Israel Aircraft Industries - Background Information

Dec 23, 2003

The AMOS 2 communications satellite, manufactured by Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)'s MBT Space Division will be launched into orbit on December 27th, 2003, 23:30 (Israel time), by the Soyuz launch vehicle, from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The launch operation is conducted by Starsem, a French-Russian venture for space launching.

AMOS 2 communications satellite will provide wide range of broadcast and communication services:

* Direct To Home (DTH) television distribution
* TV distribution to cable companies
* Distribution of internet services
* Data transmission to communication networks

The AMOS 2 satellite is based on AMOS 1 platform, with new technological improvements. The modifications were introduced in order to meet the customer's mission requirements, regarding mainly to the performance of the communications payload (operated in the Ku frequency band), the number of active transponders and its output power and service areas.
AMOS 2 will provide services over three service areas: Israel and the Middle-East, Europe, and the East Coast of the U.S.A.

The satellite's separation from the fourth stage of the launcher (Fregat) occurs 6 hours and 47 minutes after the launch (Sunday morning, 06:17 Israel time). After separation, the satellite will be controlled by the AMOS control station located in MBT Space premises, to ensure the proper operation of the satellite: deployment of the communication antenna, initiation of the propulsion system, solar array deployment, sun acquisition, earth search and earth lock and orbit raising, until the satellite will reach its final GEO orbital slot at 4 degrees West (12 days after the launch).

For further information, please contact:

Doron Suslik
Deputy Corp. VP for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 935-8509
Fax: 972 (3) 935-8512
Email: hpaz@iai.co.il