NASA successfully puts Qatar’s Es’hail-2 communications satellite into orbit
Qatari communication satellite Es’hail-2 was successfully launched into orbit from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida yesterday.
SpaceX, which launched the satellite into space, used a Falcon 9 rocket to do it, reported Qatar Tribune.
The two-stage rocket, which included a first stage booster flying for its second time, lifted off at 3.46pm Eastern time, sending the satellite towards a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) 35,000kms above Earth.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched a satellite that will provide more bandwidth for Qatar, and also carries transponders to be used by ham radio operators. https://t.co/548VPvaH2w pic.twitter.com/J0UqZRhMe9
Two minutes and 35 seconds after liftoff, the first stage separated and dropped away, followed a few seconds later by ignition of the second stage’s single engine. Two hours and 32 minutes after liftoff, the Es'hail 2 communications satellite was successfully in the required elliptical GTO, reported Gulf Times.
Ground controllers are receiving signals from Qatar’s Es’hail 2 communications satellite after its successful launch today aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, confirming the spacecraft is alive in a good orbit. https://t.co/vr3ykjF86e
Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah and Qatar’s ambassador to the US Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani witnessed the launch of the communications satellite.
The satellite offers Ku-band capacity to support the growing 25.5°E/26.0°E broadcast neighbourhood. It also features multi-transponder Ka-band capacity with sophisticated anti-jamming capabilities providing business and government sectors with secure communications across the Mena region.
The spacecraft has a design life in excess of 16 years.
Liftoff of Qatar’s #Eshail2 launching on a #Falcon9 pic.twitter.com/kplpGwX4w2
Es’hailSat, which was set up in Doha in 2010, owns and operates satellites to serve broadcasters, businesses and governments.
Es’hail-1, which was launched in 2013, provides television, telecommunication, corporate and government services across the Mena region and beyond.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is set to deliver Qatar’s Es’hail 2 communications satellite on a trajectory toward geostationary orbit on today’s flight from the Kennedy Space Center. See an overview of the 32-minute flight sequence: https://t.co/VFu7FAWQ0D pic.twitter.com/CAjd8HZLP6
Built in Japan by the Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO), the Es’hail-2 satellite is expected to boost internet and TV coverage in the Middle East and North Africa.
