TELKOM-2

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TELKOM-2 is a C-band geosynchronous communications satellite built by Orbital for Indonesia's state-owned telecommunications company, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (PT Telkom). TELKOM-2 was successfully launched November 16, 2005, and positioned in geosynchronous orbit, 22,300 miles above the Earth, at 118 ° East longitude.

Based on Orbital's highly successful and flight-proven STAR-2 spacecraft platform, TELKOM-2 features state-of-the-art communications satellite technology, and 24 C-band transponders. The new spacecraft will replace PT Telkom's on-orbit Palapa-B4 satellite, improve communications coverage across Indonesia, and allow PT Telkom to expand its coverage area into southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

In addition to providing the spacecraft bus and payload, Orbital is supplementing Telkom's existing ground segment through the addition of a state-of-the-art ground station including all hardware and software. Orbital is also providing extensive mission operations support.

There are several postpones exist before Telkom-2 was launched. Three postpones happened on November 2005 because of technical problems with Ariane rocket. Other postpones happened during November 2004 until October 2005 with different problems including technical problem with Telkom-2.

Orbital's contract with PT Telkom includes an optional order for another geosynchronous satellite.

Specification of Telkom-2 Satellite

Owner: PT Telkomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (PT Telkom)
Mission: C-band communications for Indonesia
Performance: Repeater - two groups of 15-for-12 linearized traveling wave tube assemblies (TWTAs)
Transponder Power - 39 watts RF
Stabilization - 3-axis, zero momentum
Launch mass - 1,930 kg
Mission life - 15 years (>15 years of fuel)
Launched on November 16, 2005 by Ariane 5 ECA rocket in Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana
Redundancy: Full dual string
Solar Arrays: 2 panel wings with improved triple-junction Gas cells
Propulsion: Liquid bi-propellant transfer orbit system; monopropellant (hydrazine) on-orbit
Frequency: C-band
Repeater: Two groups of 15-for-12 linear traveling wave tube assemblies (TWTAs)
Antenna: Two 2.0 m (6.6 ft.) dual-griddled shaped-beam reflectors