Orbital ATK-Built SKY MEXICO-1 Commercial Satellite Successfully Launched for DIRECTV
May 27 2015 - 6:41PM
Business Wire
First GEOStar Spacecraft Built for
DIRECTV
Spacecraft Activation and In-Orbit Testing
Procedures Underway
Orbital ATK, Inc. (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and
defense technologies, today announced that the SKY MEXICO-1
(SKYM-1) satellite, built by the company for DIRECTV, was
successfully delivered to orbit aboard an Ariane 5 rocket and is
operating as planned early in its mission.
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An Ariane 5 rocket lifts off on May 27 in
French Guiana carrying the Orbital ATK built SKYM-1 commercial
satellite. (Photo: ARIANESPACE)
The lift-off of the Ariane rocket occurred today as planned at
5:15 p.m. (EDT) from the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana.
The satellite successfully separated from the launcher
approximately 38 minutes into the mission, placing it into its
targeted geosynchronous transfer orbit. Orbital ATK engineers have
completed the initial post-launch health check and the
configuration of the satellite in preparation for several weeks of
orbit-raising activities and in-orbit tests, after which the
spacecraft will be placed in its final orbital slot. The in-orbit
testing will ensure that all satellite subsystems are functioning
properly before SKYM-1 is officially turned over to DIRECTV for
full operational control.
The SKYM-1 satellite is based on Orbital ATK’s flight-proven
GEOStar-2™ platform and will provide direct-to-home television
broadcast services to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean for
DIRECTV. Orbital ATK produced the satellite in just 20 months and
delivered it to the launch site four months ahead of the original
baseline schedule.
“The early indications from our initial checkout and testing
process show that the satellite is performing well,” said Chris
Richmond, Vice President and General Manager of Orbital ATK’s
commercial satellite division. “SKYM-1 marks the first satellite we
built for DIRECTV and represents what we hope is the start of a
valued relationship for years to come. This mission demonstrates
our continued ability to deliver high-quality, reliable satellites
to our customers on time and demonstrates that Orbital ATK truly is
a partner you can count on.”
Built and manufactured at its state-of-the-art facility in
Dulles, Virginia, SKYM-1 is equipped with 24 active Ku-band
transponders and two active R-band transponders to provide
DIRECTV’s premium video broadcast services to millions of users.
The commercial communications satellite uses reflectors, solar
arrays and structural components produced by Orbital ATK’s Space
Components Division in California and Utah. At launch, the
spacecraft weighed 2,962 kg (6,530 pounds) and carried sufficient
fuel on board to provide an anticipated 20-year mission life.
The SKYM-1 satellite is the 35th GEOStar spacecraft launched for
customers around the world. Orbital ATK is currently producing the
following satellites that will be delivered and launched for
customers over the next several years: Thaicom-8, Al Yah 3, HYLAS 4
and SES-16/GovSat.
About Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space,
defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both
as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products
include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile
products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons,
armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space
components and services; and advanced aerospace structures.
Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs more than
12,000 people in 20 states across the U.S. and in several
international locations. For more information, visit
www.orbitalatk.com.
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Orbital ATKMedia Contact:Vicki Cox, 703-406-5663Space
Systems Group Public Relationsvicki.cox@orbitalatk.comorInvestor
Contact:Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528Investor
Relationsbarron.beneski@orbitalatk.com
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