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Baikonur, Khazakstan (SPX) Feb 22, 2006 Launch preparation is going on in Baikonur, Khazakstan, for the launch of Arabsat 4A, a Eurostar E2000+ satellite built by EADS Astrium for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (ARABSAT). The Proton vehicle of International Launch Services, is scheduled for lift off on 28 February at 20:10 GMT (2:10 a.m. on 1 March Baikonur time). Arabsat 4A is the first of two spacecraft built by EADS Astrium for ARABSAT, the communications satellite operator based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Arabsat 4A satellite has been assembled in EADS Astrium Toulouse facilities and, after a comprehensive series of performance tests, successfully passed its shipment review on 22 December 2005. It was shipped to Baikonur on 24 January 2006 in view of its launch scheduled on 28 February 2006. The fully fuelled spacecraft is now mated with the Breeze M upper stage and the Proton Breeze M vehicle, provided by International Launch Services (ILS), is currently in the final stage of preparation. The second spacecraft, Arabsat 4B, is currently in the final assembly stage and will by launched later this year. EADS Astrium is prime contractor for the satellites and responsible for launch and early operations as part of an in-orbit delivery contract. EADS Astrium has also developed the Satellite Control Centers in Dirab (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and in Tunis (Tunisia) to control the ARABSAT satellite fleet. The communications payloads for the Arabsat 4 satellites have been supplied by Alcatel Alenia Space. The Arabsat 4A satellite is a Eurostar E2000+ model equipped with a payload featuring 24 transponders in C-band and 20 transponders in Ku-band. With a launch mass of about 3,350 kg, it will be the thirtieth Eurostar to orbit. Once in service, Arabsat 4A will offer a wide range of satellite communications services with the highest power level and the widest coverage over the Arab countries. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links EADS Astrium Arab Satellite Communications Organization The latest information about the Commercial Satellite Industry
![]() ![]() Worldspace Satellite Radio has announced the launch of subscription service in Kolkata, the capital of India's West Bengal state and the second largest city in the country. Kolkata has a population of over 11 million, including approximately six million consumers who fall into Worldspace's targeted listener base. |
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