Rascom-QAF-1

Launch data: Designation  32387 / 07063A Launch date  21 Dec 2007 - 21:41 UT Launch site  Ko, ELA3 Launch vehicle  Ariane-5GS (V-180) Mission  Commercial: Communications Geostationary orbit on Jan 30.80: Perigee / Apogee  35771 x 35796 km Inclination  0.11° Period  1435.95 min

Mission details:

• Low cost communications for sub-Saharan Africa; multinational organization.
• Arianespace launched Ariane 5GS vehicle L530 (flight V180) on Dec 21. The EPC core stage reached a 30 x 1730 km x 7.3 deg orbit, reentering on the first perigee. The EPS upper stage reached geostationary transfer orbit and deployed two telecommunications satellites, RASCOM-QAF-1 and Horizons 2.
• RASCOM-QAF-1 is a Thales (Cannes) Spacebus 4000B3 with a hybrid Ku/C-band payload for RascomStarQAF of Port Louis, Mauritius, a subsidiary of the Regional African Satellite Communications Organization (RASCOM) based in Cote d'Ivoire. The mission and satellite control centers are in Cameroun and Libay; the satellite will provide voice, data and internet in Africa.
• The African-owned RASCOM-QAF-1 satellite was still in its initial transfer orbit 10 days after launch; manufacturer Thales Alenia Space has reported a problem in its propulsion system. No new US orbital data for the satellite have appeared since Jan 1, 2008 so it may now have begun raising its orbit. Even if it reaches its geostationary location, the operational lifetime of the satellite is expected to be severely shortened.
• The RASCOM-QAF-1 satellite has reached geostationary orbit at 2.8 deg E, after a month-long delay due to propulsion system difficulties.

Astrophilately covers:

Launch cancel Kourou.

Headquarter cancel Paris.