Galaxy 18
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| Galaxy 18 | |
| Organisation | Intelsat |
|---|---|
| Major contractors | Space Systems/Loral |
| Launch date | 09:43 GMT May 21, 2008 |
| Carrier Rocket | Zenit-3SL |
| Mission duration | 15 years |
| Mass | 4,642 kilograms (10,230 lb) |
| Orbital elements | |
| Regime | Geosynchronous (planned) |
| Longitude | 123°W |
| Instruments | |
| Transponders | 24 IEEE C-band 24 IEEE Ku-band |
| Coverage area | United States, Canada, Mexico |
Galaxy 18 is a Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) 1300-series hybrid communications satellite owned by Intelsat planned to be located in geosynchronous orbit at 123° W longitude, serving the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and Canada with 24 C-band, and 24 Ku-band transponders. Galaxy 18 is intended to replace Galaxy 10R which is nearing the end of its design life. [1]
While this spacecraft is designed for a 15-year service life on orbit, Sea Launch’s direct insertion[citation needed] into equatorial orbit is expected to yield additional years of fuel life. Galaxy 18 was scheduled to be launched by Sea Launch on May 8, 2008 but was pushed to May 25[citation needed]. It was subsequently moved up to 21 May. The launch took place successfully at 09:43 GMT.[2]
