Viasat broadband “super-satellite” launches
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15358121
One of the most powerful satellites ever built has headed into orbit on a Russian Proton rocket.
The Viasat-1 spacecraft will deliver broadband services to customers in the US and Canada.
With a total data throughput of some 140 Gbps, the satellite has more capacity than all other communication satellites over North America combined.
Viasat-1 left Earth from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The lift-off for its carrier Proton rocket occurred at 00:48 local time (18:48 GMT). The flight was due to last more than nine hours, and two hours in all was reported to be well.
Viasat-1 will be moved to a geosynchronous position at 115 degrees West, and should become fully operational in 2012 after a period of testing.
The satellite carries the name of San Diego-based space technology supplier Viasat, but will be pressed into service for its satellite broadband division, Wildblue Communications.
Wildblue already has more than 400,000 subscribers using a trio of satellites, and should have room for about a million more with Viasat-1.
“Consumer demand doubles about every two-and-a-half to three years. In other words, you want twice the service, twice the speed, twice the volume that you had two or three years ago for the same price,” explains Wildblue president and CEO, Tom Moore.
“Viasat-1 is all about trying to address that growing, insatiable demand,” he told BBC News.
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better broadband for USA and canada..hope they enjoy it..
401
headed into orbit on a Russian Proton rocket…why is this being launched by a Russian Rocket and not by the USA?
good question..maybe russian labour is cheaper?
Is it not cheaper for the soul to labor in the USSR, or does the USA have the market on selling your soul for bread, water and pennies on the dollar or is that for pennies on 32 rubels? What is the human soul worth these days and to who. What is the exchange rate between evil and good?
the USA hasnt done a commercial launch in years. what do you expect from a second-date country filled with third-rate uneducated illiterates?
xxx: As would Rome, the USA would prefer that the proletariats of Russia should launch the rockets to space, while our citizens pay for the ride and eagerly without reserve…telecommunicate, due pray what worthiness did we say or do today…with our debtors’ cards said the USA in dismay.
I think they’re hiding something…. perhaps it’s Capt. Proton and his proton rocket pack?….lol. Look out for Queen Arachnia…lol. Observing the utter disregard for international law of the ZATO cabal, I would say that Russia is well aware that they will be needing much more reliable communications, and a satellite that has, no doubt, some serious teeth.
i think your rght..wonder how much control they keep over the thing?