Galaxy 11 was the first BSS-702 satellite. It was ordered in May 1997 and was successfully launched in December 1999 on an Ariane 4 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. Galaxy XI has a payload of 64 active transponders; 24 operate in C-band and 40 operate in Ku-band. The spacecraft was designed for an end-of-life power of more than 10 kW. The satellite provides service to North America and Brazil.
Geostationary OrbitThe KOMPSAT 1 (Korean Multi-purpose Satellite 1) Earth observation satellite was developed jointly by KARI and TRW. ACRIMSat (Active Cavity Radiometric Irradiance Monitor Satellite) was a satellite to ascertain the extent of solar radiation variability.
Sun-Synchronous OrbitSACI 2 (Satélite Científico 2) is a 60 kg scientific satellite (Scientific Applications Satellite) launched on the 11th December 1999 on the second flight of the Brazilian VLS-1. Failure of the launcher second stage prevented it from reaching orbit.
Low Earth OrbitThe Helios program is Europe's military optical reconnaissance system consisting of both a space and a ground segment, which commenced service in 1995, jointly funded by the French, Italian and Spanish governments. The Helios I optical observation satellites, launched in July 1995 and December 1999 respectively, can acquire high resolution images of any point on the globe, with daily revisit capability. Helios-1B had suffered a breakdown of its power supply system in October 2004 and could no longer perform any work after operating for just under its 5-year nominal life expectancy.
Polar OrbitThe U.S. Navy began replacing and upgrading its ultra-high frequency (UHF) satellite communications network during the 1990s with a constellation of customized satellites built by Hughes Space and Communications Company. Known as the UFO (Ultra High Frequency Follow On) series, these HS-601 model satellites support the Navy's global communications network, serving ships at sea and a variety of other U.S. military fixed and mobile terminals.
Geostationary Orbit