Another success for SpaceX
By Chris Forrester
SpaceX, the new rocket launch business owned by billionaire PayPal founder Elon Musk, successfully launched the joint AsiaSat-6/Thaicom-7 satellite. The J-V satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral.
SpaceX’s giant Falcon-9 rocket successfully lifted off at 1am local time (05.00 UTC) on early Sunday morning, September 7, from the Cape Canaveral spaceport in Florida.
The AsiaSat-6 launch follows on from AsiaSat-8 launched just a month ago on August 5. Some 32 minutes after lift-off, the satellite separated from the rocket and its first signals were picked up just 55 minutes after launch at AsiaSat’s Hong Kong HQ. AsiaSat-6 has 28 high-power transponders.
Thaicom-7 joins the other Thaicom satellites, which are full, but at a new orbital position (120 degrees East) where it will start work in about 3-4 weeks after in-orbit testing. CEO Suphajee Suthumpun says her portion of the new satellite is already 50 per cent pre-sold, and the other pending contracts will quickly see the craft fully utilised
By Chris Forrester
SpaceX, the new rocket launch business owned by billionaire PayPal founder Elon Musk, successfully launched the joint AsiaSat-6/Thaicom-7 satellite. The J-V satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral.
SpaceX’s giant Falcon-9 rocket successfully lifted off at 1am local time (05.00 UTC) on early Sunday morning, September 7, from the Cape Canaveral spaceport in Florida.
The AsiaSat-6 launch follows on from AsiaSat-8 launched just a month ago on August 5. Some 32 minutes after lift-off, the satellite separated from the rocket and its first signals were picked up just 55 minutes after launch at AsiaSat’s Hong Kong HQ. AsiaSat-6 has 28 high-power transponders.
Thaicom-7 joins the other Thaicom satellites, which are full, but at a new orbital position (120 degrees East) where it will start work in about 3-4 weeks after in-orbit testing. CEO Suphajee Suthumpun says her portion of the new satellite is already 50 per cent pre-sold, and the other pending contracts will quickly see the craft fully utilised