Controllers in the Hughes Mission Control Center in El Segundo, Calif., have confirmed that the spacecraft is on its way, by using signals received at ground stations and images seen by optical telescopes around the globe. The satellite reached a maximum speed of 24,000 mph after the firing to send it on its nearly six-day outbound trip. On May 13, it will pass behind the moon, coming as close as 5,000 miles above the surface.

With an assist from lunar gravity, it will swing around the moon, change directions and head off on its three-day return trip to Earth. On May 16, satellite controllers will begin braking maneuvers to help the satellite settle into an orbit around the equator.

HGS-1 is an HS 601HP model satellite built by Hughes Space and Communications Co. of Los Angeles. It was designed to provide television and other telecommunications services for Asia and neighboring regions. During its launch last Christmas day, however, the rocket that was carrying it malfunctioned, leaving the satellite in an unusable, highly inclined, elliptical orbit. The satellite itself is fully functional, with 44 high-power transponders in C- and Ku-band.

After the launch failure, the original owner of the spacecraft filed an insurance claim. The insurers declared the spacecraft a total loss for its original purposes.

Scientists and engineers from Hughes Space and Comm and its subsidiary, Hughes Global Services Inc. (HGS), devised a salvage mission using the moon to move the satellite into a usable circular orbit. HGS has obtained the title to the spacecraft, with the agreement to share profits with the insurers if the satellite can be put to use.

During the last several weeks, Hughes controllers have fired the satellite's onboard rocket motor several times to raise its altitude. Friday's was the 12th firing, and it burned for almost two minutes to give HGS-1 its final kick toward the moon. Controllers may use short burns during the nine-day cruise to make minor adjustments in the flight path.

The commands for the final firing were sent to the spacecraft about 2 a.m. PDT Thursday, and HGS-1 executed the maneuver while out of view from the ground stations. Controllers were able to confirm the motor firing within about half an hour, and within another hour verified that HGS-1 was on the correct trajectory.

Hughes Space

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House Approves Intelsat Bill
Washington DC - May 9, 1998 -
The U.S. Congress took a step towards dismantling the decades-old monopoly on the Intelsat satellite system Wednesday, passing HR 1782, which now faces a Senate showdown. The bill swept through the House, passing 403 to 16, and faces strong support in the Senate as well, although a vote this year in the upper body might be delayed.