* Astronomy

TLE Data

TERRESTAR-1
1 35496U 09035A   09188.61590100 -.00000224  00000-0  00000+0 0   126
2 35496 005.9440 319.0360 0185081 248.3750 179.1620 01.02972316   125

Period:          1391.14
Inclination:    5.93°
Apogee:        35814
Perigee:        33990

The world's biggest commercial telecommunications satellite has been put into orbit by an Ariane 5 rocket.
The TerreStar-1 platform weighed just shy of seven tonnes at launch.
Built for TerreStar Networks, the spacecraft will provide voice, messaging and data connections to the North American market.

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The launch readiness review (RAL) took place in Kourou on Monday, June 29, 2009 and authorised count-down operations for the TerreStar-1 launch.
For its third launch of the year, Arianespace will orbit the largest communications satellite ever launched, TerreStar-1, on behalf of TerreStar Networks Inc., a new American mobile telecom services operator.
The choice of Arianespace by a pioneer in new space communications technologies is clear recognition of the companys excellence in launch services.
It will be launched from the Ariane launch complex N° 3 (ELA3), in Kourou, French Guiana.
The ARIANE 5 ECA Launccher lift-off for this flight is scheduled on July 1st, 2009 as soon as possible within the following launch window:

UTC/GMT: Between 4:13 p.m. and 6:13 p.m. on July 1, 2009
Paris, France: Between 6:13 p.m. and 8:13 p.m. on July 1, 2009
Kourou, French Guiana: Between 1:13 p.m. and 3:13 p.m. on July 1, 2009
Washington, D.C., USA: Between 12:13 p.m. and 2:13 p.m. on July 1, 2009
San Francisco, USA: Between 9:13 p.m. and 11:13 p.m. on July 1, 2009

Source Arianespace

TerreStar Networks, a majority owned subsidiary of TerreStar Corporation, and Space Systems/Loral, the leading provider of commercial satellites today, announced that TerreStar-1 has arrived on schedule in Kourou, French Guiana where it is scheduled to launch on June 24th aboard the Ariane 5 heavy lift launch vehicle.
TerreStar-1 will be the largest commercial satellite ever launched and is designed to provide integrated satellite and terrestrial mobile services for critical communications using conventionally-sized dual mode handsets.

"The arrival of TerreStar-1 signals the start of final launch preparations. Once launched, TerreStar-1 will allow us to deliver on the vision of an integrated satellite and terrestrial mobile service that enables next generation applications anytime, anywhere" - Jeffrey Epstein, President of TerreStar Networks.

"The design, manufacture and delivery of TerreStar-1 has been a team effort. We have relied on our colleagues at Space Systems/Loral for their experience and support in delivering the integrated satellite and ground system that makes our new services possible. We now look forward to a flawless launch by our partner Arianespace" - Dennis Matheson, TerreStar Networks Chief Technology Officer

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