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| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | TerreStar Corporation |
| COSPAR ID | 2009-035A |
| SATCATno. | 35496 |
| Mission duration | 15 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | LS-1300S |
| Manufacturer | Space Systems Loral |
| Launch mass | 6,910 kilograms (15,230 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 1 July 2009, 17:52 (2009-07-01UTC17:52Z) UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 5ECA |
| Launch site | KourouELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 111° West |
| Perigee altitude | 35,778 kilometers (22,231 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 35,806 kilometers (22,249 mi) |
| Inclination | 4.00 degrees |
| Period | 23.93 hours |
| Epoch | 21 January 2014, 09:03:45 UTC[1] |
| Transponders | |
| Band | E/F-band |
| Coverage area | Canada United States |
TerreStar-1 is an Americancommunications satellite which was operated byTerreStar Corporation. It was constructed bySpace Systems/Loral, based on theLS-1300Sbus, and carriesE/F band (IEEES band) transponders which will be used to provide mobile communications toNorth America.[2] The signals are transmitted by an 18-metre (59 ft) reflector on the satellite.[3] It had a launch mass of 6,910 kilograms (15,230 lb),[4] making it the second most massive single satellite launched into ageosynchronous transfer orbit, and the second largest commercial communications satellite ever built. Its record as the most massive communication satellite was surpassed byTelstar 19V launched onFalcon 9 on July 21, 2018, with a mass of 7,076 kilograms (15,600 lb).[5]
TerreStar was launched at 17:52 GMT on July 1, 2009,[6] during a two-hourlaunch window that opened at 16:13.[7] The launch occurred towards the end of the window due to bad weather in the first hour, followed by two aborted countdowns for launch attempts scheduled at 17:12 and 17:34. The launch was conducted byArianespace, and used anAriane 5ECA carrier rocket, flying fromELA-3 at theGuiana Space Centre. After launch, the satellite separated from the carrier rocket into ageosynchronous transfer orbit. It will subsequently raise itself intogeostationary orbit by means of its onboard propulsion system. It will be positioned at 111° Westlongitude, and is expected to operate for 15 years.[4] A second satellite, TerreStar-2 (nowEchoStar XXI), was launched on 2017, positioned at 10E, and owned by Echostar.[4]
Following TerreStar's filing forChapter 11 bankruptcy, a movement had been formed by the NGOA Human Right to purchase TerreStar-1 and to use it to provide free basic Internet access to developing countries. The team was looking for US$150,000 in donations to put the first phase of their plan into action.[8] However, after successfully bidding $1.375 billion for the acquisition of the TerreStar-1 satellite in a bankruptcy-court auction[9]Dish Network on August 22, 2011 asked theFederal Communications Commission to let the company use the wireless spectrum of TerreStar to offer its ownwireless broadband service.[10]
Despite its successful launch and groundbreaking achievements, TerreStar Corporation faced challenges and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In response, a movement led by the NGO A Human Right emerged, seeking to acquire TerreStar-1 and use it to provide free basic Internet access to developing countries. Their ambitious plan aimed to bridge the digital divide and connect underserved communities worldwide.[citation needed]
However, Dish Network outbid others in the bankruptcy-court auction, acquiring TerreStar-1 for $1.375 billion. With this acquisition, Dish Network sought to utilize the satellite's wireless spectrum to offer its own wireless broadband service.[citation needed]
