Space tug operated by Astranis assists Spacecom in orbital duties
In a significant shift, Astranis's Arcturus satellite, which has been in operation for nine months, is being moved from its geostationary position over Alaska to a new location over Asia. The move, scheduled for February 29, 2024, is a testament to Arcturus's unique capabilities and the high demand for its services.
Initially, Arcturus was planned to beam broadband to Alaska. However, these plans were cut short due to a solar array issue. Despite this setback, Arcturus has continued to perform perfectly, and its payload remains fueled for many years on orbit.
Arcturus is the only small, maneuverable satellite in the geostationary arc with a high-performance communications payload on board. This versatility is one of its key features, allowing it to relocate as needed to fulfill different missions. The satellite's maneuverability is a result of its design, which includes fuel for dozens of relocation maneuvers over its lifetime.
Spacecom, a satellite operator based in Israel, is a customer of Astranis for Arcturus. Spacecom has contracted Arcturus for a multimonth mission to secure valuable spectrum rights, a known industry term as a 'bring into use' mission. The temporary occupation of an orbital slot by Arcturus allowed Spacecom to ensure the slot was secured for a larger GEO satellite that will be placed there at a future date.
Arcturus is not yet in its final orbital location, as it is expected to settle into a new (temporary) home in mid-March. Since the beginning of February, Arcturus has been on the move and is currently over Indonesian Borneo, heading towards a new orbital position.
The move to Asia serves a mission for a Middle East operator, but details about the operator are currently unknown. Customers are very interested in what Arcturus has to offer, and it is expected to be booked up and fully utilized for the rest of its lifetime on orbit.
Astranis's first global customer for Arcturus is Spacecom, a satellite operator based in Israel that provides satellite TV and broadband connectivity in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The partnership between Astranis and Spacecom underscores the growing demand for small, maneuverable satellites with high-performance communications payloads.
As Arcturus continues its journey, it marks a new chapter in the use of small satellites for global communication needs, demonstrating the potential of these agile spacecraft to revolutionize the industry.
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