Ukrainian expendable carrier rocket Zenit-3SLB lifted off from Land Launch pad at the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan at 21:00 GMT (1:00 PM PST) on November 30, 2009 and subsequently deployed Intelsat 15 into orbit. About six-and-a-half hours later, the satellite separated from the Block DM-3SLB upper stage, inserting the Intelsat 15 communications satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit
Intelsat 15 was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, on a Star-2 spacecraft bus. It is also one of eight Orbital STAR GEO communications satellites ordered by Intelsat. It weighs up to 2,550 kg and has a 15 year design life in orbit.
Intelsat 15 is designed to replace the Intelsat-709 satellite which currently positioned at 85 degrees east longitude. The high power 22 Ku-band transponders will provide video/data services or telecommunication services for Russia, Indian Ocean, and Middle East regions.
Topics: Intelsat-15, Russia, Science, space, Zenit-3SLB
