Sky Muster
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | NBN |
| COSPAR ID | 2015-054A |
| SATCAT no. | 40940 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | SSL 1300 |
| Manufacturer | SSL |
| Launch mass | 6,440 kilograms (14,200 lb)[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 1 October 2015 |
| Rocket | Ariane 5 |
| Launch site | Kourou ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Transponders | |
| Band | Ka band |
| Coverage area | Australia and Pacific Islands[2] |
Sky Muster (NBN-Co 1A) is a geostationary communications satellite operated by NBN Co Limited and built by SSL.[3][4]
Sky muster was launched from French Guiana alongside ARSAT-2 on an Ariane 5ECA rocket.
The satellite has 101 spot beams.[5] Sky Muster will operate in geostationary orbit of 140° East. It is the first of two satellites to be used by NBN. Sky Muster is expected to become operational from mid-2016.[6]
Bailey Brooks, a six-year old School of the Air student who lives on a cattle station 400 kilometres (250 mi) from Darwin won a competition to draw a picture of how the satellite benefits rural Australians. Her drawing of the rocket was printed on the payload fairing,[7] and her class named NBN-Co 1A "Sky Muster" as it would bring Australians together like a cattle muster.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "Assembly is completed for the Ariane 5 to orbit Sky Muster and ARSAT-2 on September 30". arianespace.com. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- ^ "Sky Muster and NBN Co 1B". SSL. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
When launched in 2015, the satellites will help bridge the digital divide, providing service to some of the most remote places in Australia, as well as its coastal islands and external territories including Norfolk Island, Cocos Island, Christmas Island, and Macquarie Island in the Antarctic.
- ^ "SSL Delivers High Performance Broadband Satellite To Launch Base, Demonstrates Leadership In Satellites For Fast Internet With Satellite For Australia's Broadband Network". sslmda.com.
- ^ "Lift-off for first nbn satellite". nbnco.com.au.
- ^ "NBN-Co 1A - Ariane 5 VA226 – Spaceflight101". spaceflight101.com.
- ^ Tim Biggs (1 October 2015). "NBN's first satellite, Sky Muster, launches successfully into orbit". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ^ "Ariane 5 is "signed" and ready for launch on Arianespace's fifth heavy-lift flight of 2015". arianespace.com. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- ^ "Outback glory: meet our competition winner Bailey Brooks". nbnco.com.au.
External links
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