US satellite manufacturer Orbital has handed over the operational control of HYLAS 2 high-throughput broadband satellite to UK-based Avanti Communications, following the successful completion of in-orbit testing.
The satellite was launched into space aboard an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou, French Guiana on 3 August.
Since then, Avanti and Orbital engineers have been conducting orbit raising and testing operations in order to prepare the spacecraft for commercial service.
Orbital Space Systems Group senior vice president Christopher Richmond said HYLAS 2 was functioning as it should and the company turned over full operational control to Avanti Communications.
"This is the most complex satellite we have ever built," Richmond said.
The team of engineers conducted several tests to analyse the performance of the satellite’s different subsystems, such as propulsion, data handling, electrical, attitude control, thermal, flight software and telemetry.
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By GlobalDataHYLAS 2’s three reflectors comprising two east-and-west reflectors, and nadir reflector have been deployed in addition to two solar arrays that provide electrical power to satellite.
It carries 24 active Ka-band user beams and six gateway beams, and will generate about 5 kW of payload electrical power.
Designed, developed and tested by Orbital at its satellite manufacturing and test facility in Virginia, the satellite has a steerable spot beam, and operates Ka-band, which enables coverage across the globe within the satellite’s range.
HYLAS 2 will offer data and video services to Northern and Southern Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and across the Caucuses.
It is the second satellite belonging to Avanti, and will enable the company to extend its coverage to Africa and the Middle East.
Avanti expects to launch its third satellite HYLAS 3 in partnership with ESA in 2015 in order to boost its capacity in the EMEA region.
Image: An artist impression of HYLAS 2 satellite in orbit. Photo: courtesy of Orbital Sciences Corporation.
