ARSAT-1_launch

Argentina has launched its first geostationary communications satellite from the spaceport near Kourou in French Guiana.

The launch of ARSAT-1 makes Argentina the first Latin American country that having its own geostationary satellite in the orbit.

ARSAT-1 was built by INVAP, with Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space serving as leading equipment suppliers for the operator Empresa Argentina de Soluciones Satelitales Sociedad Anonima (ARSAT).

The satellite aims to deliver communication services including satellite television, internet, data transmission and telephone communication to in the territories of Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.

Operating from an orbital position of 71.8° west, the satellite will also offer communication services to the remote parts of the country such as Patagonia and the Argentine Antarctic.

"It is expected to be operational for the next 15 years."

Around 500 scientists worked on the project for seven years and around $250m have been invested in the project.

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It is expected to be operational for the next 15 years.

Ariane 5 also lifted another telecommunications satellite for Latin America, Intelsat 30.

Intelsat 30 will co-located with Intelsat’s Galaxy 3C satellite at 95° west to offer direct-to-home entertainment services in Latin America, as well as provide backup and restoration services.

Arianespace chairman and CEO Stéphane Israël said: "The two satellites orbited tonight will serve users located in Latin America, a region that has always had a special place in the heart of Arianespace, because this is where our launches take place, and also because our market share in the region has always exceeded 50%."

Image: Argentina’s first geostationary communications satellite ARSAT-1 launching from a base in French Guiana. Photo: courtesy of Arianespace.

Defence Technology