A strong European rocket launched a communications satellite of record-setting dimension from South America on Wednesday (Sept. 7).
An Ariane 5 rocket carrying the Eutelsat Konnect VHTS satellite lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. EDT (2145 GMT). Just below 29 minutes later, the Ariane 5’s higher stage deployed the satellite into geostationary switch orbit as deliberate.
Eutelsat Konnect VHTS (quick for “very excessive throughput satellite”) is the most important spacecraft ever constructed by French-Italian aerospace producer Thales Alenia Area, according to a mission description (opens in new tab) by Arianespace, the French firm that operates the Ariane 5. Eutelsat Konnect VHTS suggestions the scales at 7 tons (6.4 metric tons) and is about 29 toes (8.8 m) tall.
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The satellite packs a whole lot of efficiency into that giant body.
“With an instantaneous charge of 500 Gbps [gigabits per second], Eutelsat Konnect VHTS will present high-speed web entry all through Europe, particularly in remoted areas with low protection, providing a service similar to fiber optic networks by way of efficiency and value, thus making a big contribution to bridging the digital divide,” Arianespace representatives wrote within the mission description.
“Eutelsat Konnect VHTS will even tackle the broadband connectivity wants of mounted and cellular telecommunications networks, on land, sea or within the air,” they added.
The satellite is designed to function for a minimum of 15 years in Earth orbit.
Wednesday’s launch, which was pushed again a day by dangerous climate, was the second of 2022 for the 166-foot-tall (50.5 meters) Ariane 5 and Arianespace’s third of the 12 months total.
The mission was considered one of only a handful remaining for the venerable Ariane 5, which debuted within the mid-Nineteen Nineties and has greater than 100 missions below its belt. Arianespace is creating the rocket’s successor, the Ariane 6, which is predicted to fly for the primary time subsequent 12 months.
Editor’s observe: This story was up to date at 6:20 p.m. EDT on Sept. 7 with information of a profitable launch and satellite deployment.
Mike Wall is the creator of “Out There (opens in new tab)” (Grand Central Publishing, 2018; illustrated by Karl Tate), a guide in regards to the seek for alien life. Comply with him on Twitter @michaeldwall (opens in new tab). Comply with us on Twitter @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab) or on Facebook (opens in new tab). Â
