The BADR-5 satellite has been successfully placed into geosynchronous transfer orbit by International Launch Services (ILS) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The fourth ILS Proton launch and the sixth overall Proton launch this year was made on behalf of Arabsat. BADR-5, built by EADS Astrium and Thales Alenia Space, was also the 23rd consecutive successful Proton launch in 23 months.
The ILS Proton Breeze M launched from Pad 39 at the Cosmodrome at 04.00 today local time (23.00 GMT). After a nine-hour, 13-minute mission, the Breeze M successfully released the BADR-5 satellite, weighing 5420 kg, into geosynchronous transfer orbit.
“The launch of BADR-5 on ILS Proton was a significant event, kicking off the expansion of our fleet with the first of the new 5th generation Arabsat satellites with an unprecedented service for the MENA region,” said Arabsat President and CEO Khalid Balkheyour. “This satellite was launched on-time with perfect execution and will support our leadership role in the providing telecommunication services to the Arab world.”
BADR-5 was built on the Astrium E3000 platform with a Thales Alenia Space supplied communications payload. It will be collocated with the BADR-4 and BADR-6 DTH satellites at Arabsat’s 26 degrees East video “hot spot”. The satellite carries 56 Ku-band transponders 4 Ka-band transponders and has been designed to have a minimum expected service time of 15 years.
