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Kacific’s first satellite is successfully launched
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Posted on Dec 19 2019
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- An arc of lights shows the path of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as it takes off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida last Dec. 16. Other photo shows the Kacific1 satellite sitting on top of the rocket. It was placed into its target geostationary transfer orbit 33 minutes following initial ignition. (Contributed Photo)
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- An arc of lights shows the path of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as it takes off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida last Dec. 16. Other photo shows the Kacific1 satellite sitting on top of the rocket. It was placed into its target geostationary transfer orbit 33 minutes following initial ignition. (Contributed Photo)
A satellite that is intended to provide broadband internet service to large swaths of the Pacific and Southeast Asia was successfully launched into space last Monday aboard a SpaceX rocket in Florida.
Kacific1 was launched successfully into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 7:10pm eastern time last Dec. 16 from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, according to a statement from Kacific Broadband Satellites Group, the company that owns the satellite.
It said that Kacific 1 was placed into its target geostationary transfer orbit 33 minutes following initial ignition. The Boeing-built communications satellite will stream high-speed broadband to 25 nations in South East Asia and the Pacific Islands via 56 high-throughput beams.
“Kacific1 is the newest and most powerful commercial satellite operating in the Asia-Pacific region, placing Kacific in an excellent position to grow alongside these markets,” said Christian Patouraux, Kacific founder and CEO. “Its range of services, from mobile backhaul to broadband internet via VSAT terminals, will provide a catalyst for positive change in the nations it is about to serve. I’m thrilled to start seeing the social and economic impact of Kacific1.”
Kacific1 will cover Indonesia, The Philippines, Timor-Leste and South Asia with 28 spot beams, while the Pacific Islands and New Zealand will be covered with a further 28 beams.
Following a sequence of in-orbit manoeuvres and tests that are expected to take approximately six weeks, Kacific1 is scheduled to begin commercial operations in the first quarter of 2020.
Kacific’s momentous first launch was celebrated in Florida by more than 160 guests from across Asia Pacific representing telecommunication and internet service provider customers, government agencies and regulators, not-for-profit organizations, universities, and Kacific investors, management and staff.
“Celebrating this launch with Kacific’s international supporters has been an incredible and affirming experience. I’m very thankful for the wonderful energy they have brought to this unforgettable moment,” said Patouraux. (Saipan Tribune, PR)
