The iPSTAR-1 satellite, which is one of the most technologically advanced commercial satellites built to date, was delivered to the Arianespace spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, for planned launch aboard a Ariane 5 rocket on 07-July-05. Built for Shin Satellite, Plc of Thailand, iPSTAR-1 is designed to provide both enterprises and consumers throughout Asia, Australia and New Zealand with various levels of Internet access services.
iPSTAR-1 was built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L). With a launch weight of 14,341 pounds (6505 kilograms) it will be the heaviest commercial satellite ever delivered to geosynchronous orbit.
iPSTAR-1 has a total data throughput capacity of over 40 Gbps. The satellite will provide users with data speeds of up to 8 Mbps on the forward link and 4 Mbps on the return link. From its 119.5 degrees East longitude orbital position, iPSTAR-1 will use its seven on-board antennas to create 112 spot and regional beams in the Ku and Ka frequency bands. The satellite will generate 14 kW of electrical power throughout its planned 12- year service life.
http://www.loral.com/
- Shin Satellite, a turnkey satellite operator, provides C- and Ku-band transponder leasing, teleport and other value-added and engineering services to users in Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia. Shin Satellite owns and operates Thaicom 1A, located at 120 degrees East, and Thaicom 2 and 3, co- located at 78.5 degrees East. The satellites carry a total of 49 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders offering over 70 channels.