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Tag: Zenit-3SL rocket

  • Mobile telephone provider Thuraya in expansion mode

    Mobile telephone provider Thuraya in expansion mode

    MUMBAI: Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications will receive its third satellite, Thuraya 3, from its manufacturer Boeing by early June.

    Thuraya offers quality dual-mode terminals that offer satellite and GSM connectivity. This flexibility ensures continuous and cost-effective roaming for users.

    Thuraya’s system has been adapted for efficient operation in both satellite and GSM environments. It provides high flexibility in managing network resources through a re-programmable satellite payload. This supports modifications to the system’s coverage area even in the post-launch period and optimises performance over high demand areas.

    Thuraya’s satellites have been specially designed to achieve network capacity of about 13,750 telephone channels. Thuraya’s hand held mobile terminals are comparable to GSM handsets in terms of size and appearance, as well as in voice quality.

    Thuraya chief executive for business development Jamal Al Jarwan said that the company will put the third satellite in the standby mode ready for launch, considering that the Thuraya 3 will operate in the same orbit of Thuraya 1 over East Asia..

    Jarwan said the company was considering many options for financing the cost of launching and commercially operating the third satellite amounting to nearly $300 million (Dhs1.1 billion). Among them, the company was currently zeroing in on two basic options.

    In September, Thuraya had launched its satellite services in Morocco. The introduced services in Morocco included the satellite services of Thuraya’s dual mode hand held mobile phone and the rural telephony solutions or the Public Calling Office (PCO).

    Thuraya-1 satellite was launched on 21st October 2000; on board a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket from the equator in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It was the heaviest commercial payload ever launched and the first commercial satellite to employ digital beam forming.

    Thuraya’s second satellite Thuraya 2 was launched on 10 June 2003. The earlier mentioned third satellite will expand system capacity.

  • Sea Launch receives 2003 ISCe innovation award

    CALIFORNIA: Sea Launch has received the 2003 ISCe Innovation Award during the International Satellite and Communications exchange annual awards dinner and reception a few days ago. The event was held as part of the ISCe conference in Long Beach.
    The president of Hannover Fairs USA which organised the conference Joachim Schafer said: “The award goes to the Sea Launch enterprise and its innovative mobile concept for access-to-space which has proved to be a very reliable launch platform. It truly deserves the recognition of the global satellite and communications industry.”
    A member of the Sea Launch directors board Bill Collopy said: “It’s a special honour for the Sea Launch team to be acknowledged with the 2003 ISCe Innovation Award. After all, it’s the people who make it work and it’s the way they make it work – enabling Sea Launch to offer creative and flexible alternatives and launch service solutions.”
    An official release informs that Sea Launch was formed in 1995 in response to increased market demand for a more affordable and reliable commercial satellite launch service. Within five years, the Sea Launch partners built an entire launch infrastructure and operating launch system, with a successful demonstration mission in 1999.
    Today, Sea Launch, with nine (of ten) successful launches, combines proven launch systems with marine-based operations to provide heavy-lift launch services for commercial payloads in the 4,000-6,000 kg mass range. This team is committed to providing reliability, superior value, performance and flexibility.
    The release adds that the ISCe Advisory Board bestows the innovation award annually to a company or organisation that has developed and demonstrated innovative technologies; applications and/or services which have significantly advanced the satellite and communications industry.
    Sea Launch claims to be a world leader in providing heavy-lift commercial launch services. This multinational partnership offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit. With the advantage of a launch site on the Equator, the reliable Zenit-3SL rocket can lift a heavier spacecraft mass or provide longer life on orbit, offering best value plus schedule assurance. Sea Launch has a current backlog of 15 firm launch contracts.