* Astronomy

Preparations are currently underway for Sealaunchs next mission, the launch of the NSS-8 communications satellite, in January.
This is Sea Launchs first mission of the year and also their first mission for SES New Skies. The powerful, multi-performance NSS-8 satellite includes broadcasting, video distribution, data collection and Internet capabilities.
A Zenit-3SL launch vehicle will lift the 5,920 kg NSS-8 communications satellite to an optimised geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), on its way to a final orbital position of 57 degrees East Longitude.

Two-and-a-half minutes after liftoff, the first stage of the rocket will separate and then the payload fairing will jettison. About eight-and-a-half minutes into the mission, the second stage will separate from the Block DM upper stage. The engine of the Block DM will ignite for a 4-and-a-half-minute burn, after which the spacecraft will enter a coast period of 30 minutes. The Block DM will then ignite for a second burn, for a 7-minute duration and then separate from the spacecraft 10 minutes later, over the Indian Ocean. A ground station in Gnangara, Australia, is expected to acquire the first signal from NSS-8 in orbit, shortly after spacecraft separation.
The high-power, state-of-the-art NSS-8 satellite is a Boeing 702 spacecraft that carries 56 C-band and 36 Ku-band transponders, and is designed to be the centerpiece of the New Skies global communications network. NSS-8 will support a wide range of functions, including broadcast applications, government and military operations, corporate communications and Broadband Internet services. The satellite will provide coverage to two-thirds of the globe, serving countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Asia. Designed for a 15-year lifespan, NSS-8 will have 18 kilowatts of total power at the beginning of life on orbit.

NSS-8 is projected to be in service in late 2006; NSS-703, with its expected end-of-life in 2009, will be re-deployed to another location.

Download NSS-8 brochure (11.19mb, PDF)

Source Sealaunch