Thuraya-3 Successfully Launched
02/01/2008
AASC has participated in the successful launch of the Thuraya-3 multi-station communications satellite. The launch took place on January 15, 2008 in Long Beach, California.
The 44-minute launch window opened at 3:49am Pacific Time from the Odyssey Launch Platform. The launch commenced after a series of final tests and a 72 hour countdown. This is the third satellite in the Thuraya series. Thuraya-1 launched in 2000, while Thuraya-2 launched in 2003.
This 11,420 lb geosynchronous mobile satellite will provide a flexible, convenient, and widespread range of cellular-like voice and data services. The enhanced communications capacity is a result of the three orbiting satellites and ground system based in the United Arab Emirates, with plans to establish additional national gateways at needed locations. AASC was contracted to manufacture some main components of the Thuraya satellite: the bus structure and deployable radiators. The enhanced capabilities of the GSM-compatible Thuraya satellite will supply a far greater mobile communications capacity than ever before. Thuraya provides state-of-the-art digital signal processing for transmitting and receiving calls and will serve 2.3 billion people throughout the Middle East, North and Central Africa, Europe, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. The satellite expansion towards East Asia is made possible through Thuraya’s established and inexpensive affordable voice, IP and rural telephony services.
Live coverage of the Thuraya-3 mission via satellite, as well as streaming video can be found here.
Applied Aerospace Structures Corporation (AASC) is a full service provider of complex composite and metal bonded structures and assemblies for both military and commercial applications. Based in Stockton, California, AASC is classified as a small business with approximately 300 employees, designs and fabricates critical, lightweight, high-performance, engineered structural assemblies for the aerospace industry. The company is ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100, third party certified and has been in business since 1956. For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.aascworld.com.