Galaxy 3C Goes Operational With New Solar Array

The Galaxy IIIC communications satellite will provide enhanced service to the United States and Latin America. Galaxy IIIC is the 23rd satellite built by Boeing Space and Communications for PanAmSat Corporation of Wilton, Conn. With a 15-year service life, the Boeing 702 will operate at both the C-band and Ku-band frequencies to relay general telecommunications service such as voice, data and television and direct-to-user services such as cable television and Internet capabilities.

St. Louis - Oct 23, 2002
PanAmSat Corp. has assumed control of Galaxy IIIC, the first Boeing 702 satellite to fly with an improved solar array design, after the spacecraft successfully completed all major mission milestones and in-orbit testing.

The satellite was built by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, a unit of The Boeing Co, for PanAmSat of Wilton, Conn.

Since its launch on June 15, aboard a Sea Launch rocket, the Galaxy IIIC communication satellite has successfully deployed its antennas, radiators and solar arrays. In a validation of the new design, the solar arrays are generating slightly more electrical power than originally predicted.

"Galaxy IIIC is in an excellent state of health, and its outstanding performance highlights the improvements we have made to the Boeing 702, which included the addition of highly efficient solar cells and a return to the proven flat planar solar array design," said Randy H. Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems, the satellite manufacturing arm of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

"Significantly, other customers have also shown their confidence in the Boeing 702 by placing orders for three satellites this year.

This data confirms their confidence."

Measuring 157 feet from tip-to-tip, the satellite's solar arrays feature the latest solar cell technology -- as well as a flat planar design that has proven its reliability aboard the 55 Boeing 601 satellites successfully launched over the past 10 years.

Galaxy IIIC's solar arrays are designed to provide at least 15 kilowatts of power throughout its 15-year design life. The satellite will enable PanAmSat to provide service to the United States and Latin America and will add 77 channels of transmission capability to PanAmSat's geostationary satellite fleet.

SOLARCELLS

Yielding More Photons In Deep Space

Keller - Oct 21, 2002
A solar energy technology team led by ENTECH, Inc., has been awarded a $195,000 contract from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop advanced concepts for generating electrical power in space.