Hispasat 30W-6 satellite to be launched tonight from Cape Canaveral

March 5, 2018

​The satellite will be put into space by a SpaceX Falcon 9 launcher from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, after the fairing’s pressurization system incident was solved.

The launch is scheduled for 06:34 Spanish time.

MADRID, 5 March 2018. Tonight, HISPASAT is targeting launch of its new communications satellite, Hispasat 30W-6 (H30W-6), from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch is scheduled for 06:34 Spanish time (00:34h on 6, in Florida), after the fairing’s pressurization system incident was solved.

The launch vehicle responsible for putting H30W-6 into its transfer orbit will be SpaceX's Falcon 9. From there, the satellite will move towards the geostationary orbit where, for a few weeks, the tests established to make sure it is working properly after the launch will be carried out. Once completed, the satellite will be placed at its final orbital position, 30º West, where it will replace and broaden the capacity of Hispasat 30W-4.

Hispasat 30W-6 was manufactured by Space Systems Loral in Palo Alto (California) and involved the significant participation of the Spanish aerospace industry.

HISPASAT's new satellite offers improved coverage and services that increase the operator's offer in C and Ku bands, as well as new connectivity solutions in Ka band that will enable broadband Internet access in rural areas. As such, Hispasat 30W-6 will contribute to the reduction of the digital divide in Latin America, the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa, promote the distribution of audiovisual content in Latin America and provide connectivity in high-speed rail or maritime services in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

Streaming the launch

The launch can be streamed live on the HISPASAT and HISPAMAR webpages.

About HISPASAT

HISPASAT is comprised of companies that have a presence in Spain as well as in Latin America, where its Brazilian affiliate HISPAMAR is based. HISPASAT is a world leader in the distribution and broadcasting of Spanish and Portuguese content, and its satellite fleet is used by important direct-to-home television (DTH) and high-definition television (HDTV) digital platforms. HISPASAT also provides satellite broadband services and other added value solutions to governments, corporations and telecommunication operators in America, Europe and North Africa. HISPASAT is one of the world's largest companies in its sector in terms of revenue, and the main communications bridge between Europe and the Americas.

Press contact:

María Felpeto – t 91 710 25 40 mfelpeto@hispasat.es / comunicacion@hispasat.es

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionise space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets. SpaceX is currently breaking the boundaries of space technology with its Falcon launch vehicles and Dragon spacecraft. Hispasat 30W-6 will use Falcon 9 for its launch, which is a two-stage rocket, designed from the start by SpaceX to safely and affordably transport satellites. Like the first rocket to be fully developed in the 21st century, the Falcon 9 was designed from the start to achieve optimal reliability. For more information, visit spacex.com and follow @SpaceX on social networking sites.

About SSL

Space Systems Loral (SSL) is the leading provider of commercial satellites with extensive experience in providing support to operators and in innovative missions related to space. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, and mobile communications and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for the last 60 years, SSL's advanced product line also includes state-of-the-art small satellites and sophisticated robotics and automation solutions for remote operations. For more information visit: www.sslmda.com.


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