Amos-5 has been launched atop a Proton Breeze-M launcher from the Baikonur facility, Kazakhstan.
The satellite took off at 11.17 GMT and was scheduled to separate from the launcher’s last stage within nine-and-one-half hours following ignition and later will unfold its solar panels and communication antennas.
It will then head towards its orbital location at 17 degrees East during which time its solar panels and communication antennas will be unfolded.
In orbit tests will be carried out by manufacturer ISS Reshetnev, before officially handing over control of the satellite to owners Spacecom.
“AMOS-5’s launch further transforms Spacecom into a leading multi-regional satellite operator is truly a landmark event for us as we prepare to bring our reliable high-quality services to Africa,” stated Spacecom president and CEO David Pollack. “The satellite will offer excellent coverage and ready capacity to a rapidly growing region. Spacecom is excited and looks forward to providing comprehensive and quality communications solutions to Africa.”
Service from the pan-African C-band and Ku-band payload is scheduled to commence in early 2012.
55 per cent of capacity has been pre-sold.
