Thuraya Mission Profile
The Thuraya launch will place a commercial telecommunications satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit in October 2000.The spacecraft separation will occur 1,388 miles above South America.
The weight of the spacecraft fully fueled at the time of launch, will be approximately 11,260 lbs (5,108 kg.). The 45-minute launch window will open at 11:00 pm PDT (23:00). Launching from the equatorial launch site at 154 degrees West Longitude, Sea Launch will insert the spacecraft directly into the required 6.3 degree inclined orbit, providing the most efficient flight profile for this mission.
About two-and-a-half minutes after liftoff, the first stage and then the payload fairing will separate. About six minutes later, the second stage will separate from the Block DM, or upper stage. After the first burn of the Block DM, the spacecraft will coast for 90 minutes, performing thermal maneuvers, such as a slow roll, to maintain a benign satellite environment. Following this coast, the Block DM will make a second burn and then separate from the spacecraft about eleven minutes later. About 22 minutes after Block DM separation, Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company will acquire the signal of the spacecraft.