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The Philippine private law consortium, Mabuhay Philippines
Satellite Corporation (MPSC) whose capital is, in majority, held
by the leading operator in the country, Philippines Long Distance
Telephone Company, was set up to acquire and operate Philippine
satellites. The space solution is seen by the consortium as a
quick, comprehensive response to Philippine communications infrastructure
requirements. The geographic configuration of the country -there
are more than 7,000 islands- does indeed limit the development
of terrestrial networks. Based on a solid industrial partnership,
the strategic agreements between Alcatel and its partner, Space
Systems/Loral, based in Palo Alto, California, were strong enough
to prise this market away from the best space industry players
in the world. The programme includes in-orbit satellite delivery
and a ground control segment.
An additional payload
The MABUHAY satellite's power potential is more than sufficient
to meet the initial demand of the consortium, and will be capable
of satisfying the changes in market requirements. It includes
an additional on-board Ku band payload. Alcatel is responsible
for the following fields: repeater engineering and performance,
equipment manufacturing, procurement and tests, repeater assembly,
integration and tests at subsystem level at the Toulouse site,
repeater tests at satellite level in Palo Alto. Alcatel will
also participate in the launch campaign and in-orbit satellite
acceptance testing.
Missions
The MABUHAY multi-mission system will provide both a C band telecommunications
mission and Ku band television programme broadcasting. The payload
comprises 30 active, 27 Watt, C band channels and a total of
24 active, 112 Watt, Ku band channels which can be switched to
12 channels, 224 Watt, pairs. The high E.I.R.P. (Equivalent Isotropic
Radiated Power - 54 dBW) in Ku band is specially adapted to areas
with high rainfall and will provide a high-quality ground signal
in all circumstances. It also means that users just need to be
equipped with small, low-cost terminals. The repeater was delivered
to the prime contractor within 15 months. The MABUHAY satellite
will cover the Philippine Islands, an extensive area of South-East
Asia and one beam over Hawaï will ensure transpacific communications.
It will be a key element in the economic development of this
region where growth is dependent on high-performance and cost-effective
communications infrastructures.
Characteristics
The MABUHAY satellite uses a 3-axis, stabilized FS 1300 platform.
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Orbital position |
144° east |
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Satellite dry mass |
1,550 kg |
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Launch mass |
3,500 kg |
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Span (solar panel deployed) |
30 m |
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E.I.R.P. (Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power) |
54 dBW |
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Power consumption |
7.5 kW |
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Contractual life time |
12 years |
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Launch vehicle |
Long March |
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