Less than two weeks after the successful launch of its Galaxy XI satellite from French Guiana, PanAmSat’s Galaxy XR satellite has arrived at the Arianespace launch facility ahead of final preparations for liftoff in late January 2000. The launch of Galaxy XR, the first satellite deployment of the new century, will bring PanAmSat’s fleet to 21 spacecraft.
The second of seven rapid deployments scheduled by mid-2001, Galaxy XR will become the fifth satellite in the Galaxy cable neighborhood, which delivers the leading cable television channels to virtually all of the 11,000 cable systems throughout the United States.
The satellite’s advanced communications payload will also deliver premium Internet and telecommunications services to high-profile customers throughout North America.
“With the arrival of the Galaxy XR satellite in French Guiana, PanAmSat’s ambitious launch campaign is moving forward at an unprecedented pace,” said Robert Bednarek, PanAmSat’s executive vice president and chief technology officer.
“Galaxy XR is the second of three new satellites within a four month period that will provide higher power, increased flexibility and more service options in North America for our customers,” added Bednarek.
Galaxy XR, an HS 601 HP satellite built by Hughes Space and Communications Co., contains 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders. The satellite will be located at 123 degrees west longitude following its launch aboard an Ariane 4 launch vehicle.
Galaxy XR will become PanAmSat’s fifth satellite in the Galaxy cable neighborhood, which currently consists of the Galaxy IR, V, VII and IX satellites; Enable PanAmSat to create a new orbital location in the Galaxy cable neighborhood through the migration of Galaxy IX from 123 degrees west longitude to 127 degrees west longitude.
