Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), a subsidiary of Loral Space and Communications (Nasdaq:LORL), and the world's leading provider of high-power commercial satellites, today announced that the ProtoStar I satellite, which was launched on Monday afternoon from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers. It deployed its solar arrays on Monday evening and will begin thruster firings later today to place it in its circular geosynchronous orbit.
"Every time a satellite built at Space Systems/Loral is launched, we share a tremendous excitement with the operator," said John Celli, president and chief operating officer of Space Systems/Loral. "Satellite communications continue to play an essential role around the world and more bits are transported over SS/L-built satellites than over satellites from any other manufacturer."
Orbit raising operations are being conducted from SS/L's Mission Control Center in Palo Alto, Calif. Following final placement into its orbital slot the satellite will undergo routine in-orbit testing, and will begin providing service to ProtoStar's anchor customer, Dish TV India Limited, the largest Direct-to-Home television operator in India.
The satellite's Tracking, Telemetry, and Command will be managed by Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel), which is also a C-band customer on the satellite.
"Starting back in 2002, Space Systems/Loral was willing to help us along as a start-up while our plans and financing took shape," said Philip Father, president and CEO of Protostar LTD. "All along we've been able to rely on SS/L. Now they have delivered on schedule and provided us with the top quality satellite that is bringing our vision to fruition."
The satellite is based on SS/L's highly reliable, high-heritage, 1300 spacecraft bus, which provides the flexibility for a broad range of applications. It will operate in both Ku-Band and C-Band and is expected to provide more than 15 years of service.
