36744, 36745 - COMS 1, ARABSAT 5A

ARABSAT 5A and COMS 1 were launched into orbit from Kourou, French Guiana. The Ariane 5 commercial launcher lifted off at 21:41 UT on 2010 June 26.

COMS 1 (Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite) is a 2,460 kg South Korean, highly advanced multi-mission satellite and has three payloads: one for meteorology, one for ocean observation and one for communications. COMS will provide meteorology data to end-users around the globe, oceanography data for the Korean peninsula and experimental communications services in the Ka-band, all from its orbital location at 128 degrees E.

ARABSAT 5A is a 4,839 kg Saudi Arabian satellite that is the second spacecraft launched this month for the Arab Satellite Communications Organization. It is equipped with a payload featuring 26 active transponders in the C-band and 24 in the Ku-band. ARABSAT 5A will provide additional capacity at 30.5 degrees E for a large range of satellite communications services for television, telephony, business communications, Internet and the provision of VSAT and other interactive services over sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East.

Alternate Names

36744 = 2010-032A = Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite
36745 = 2010-032B = Arabsat 5A

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 2010-06-26
Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5 ECA
Launch Site: Kourou, French Guiana