7/18/2004

Companies in this story Telesat Canada Articles in related categories Satellite

KOUROU, French Guiana - Telesat announced this morning that last evening's launch of the Anik F2 satellite was a successful one.

The world's largest commercial communications satellite will be in orbit 37,000 kms above the earth with a footprint that covers all of North America.

The launch was supposed to happen on Monday but weather and some rocket malfunctions from launch partner Arianespace delayed it by six days. Given the glitches, the 27-minute ride was likely a nervous near-half-hour for Telesat and its partners.

Sixteen of F2's Ku-band transponders will be put to use by Star Choice this fall, but the most interesting part of the new bird is its Ka-band capability, where it will be able to handle two-way broadband communication.

Look for more on this in the next issue of Cablecaster Magazine in our feature story with Telesat CEO Larry Boisvert.
 
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