Intelsat/Japanese satellite readied for launch
September 20, 2018
By Chris Forrester
A Launch Readiness Review is due to take place on September 21st for a somewhat complex mission. One satellite, Intelsat Horizons 3e, is owned by Intelsat and Japan’s SkyPerfect JSAT, and is the fourth joint-venture between Intelsat and JSAT.
Intelsat Horizons 3e will go to 169 degrees East and replace Intelsat 805.
The Arianespace rocket will carry another Intelsat craft, I-38, a so-called ‘condominium’ craft with Azerspace-2. The satellite is due to be located at 45 degrees East.
The overall mission is the 100th launch for Ariane 5 (and coincidentally the 300th mission of the Ariane fleet). Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 is a multi-mission satellite to be located at 45 East.
For the second time, Arianespace is supporting the development of Azercosmos – the premier satellite operator in the South Caucasus region – by launching Azerbaijan’s second geostationary satellite, Azerspace-2. It will be Azercosmos’ second telecommunications satellite and is to expand on the current capacity of Azerspace-1.
Intelsat 38 is a Ku-band satellite to be placed at the 45 degrees East orbital location. It will replace Intelsat 12 and host DTH platforms for Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Asia-Pacific region. Intelsat 38 will also provide connectivity for corporate networks and government applications in Africa.
The provisional launch date is September 25th.