Soyuz launches Amos 2 satellite (news reposrt)
Haaretz (daily newspaper) – Sun., December 28, 2003
By Amnon Barzilai
Israeli government, Yes, IBA to use second-generation satellite
The Israel Aircraft Industries Amos 2 satellite was launched from Kazakhstan at 11:30 last night and rode into space atop a Russian Soyuz rocket. This second generation communications satellite weighs 1.4 tons and its journey into orbit will take two days
Amos 2 will provide satellite communications services and 70 percent of its capacity has been sold to cable companies in Israel and Europe. Amos 2 could potentially provide communications services to three regions – the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf states, Europe and the American east coast.
Users of Amos 2 services will include the Israeli government, the “Yes” satellite television company, and the Israel Broadcasting Authority. Overseas clients include Germany’s RTL network, and America’s HBO.
Two Israeli Amos satellites will now be in space. Amos 1 was launched in 1996 and is expected to end its life cycle in 2008. Amos 2 transmissions will rely on signal reception stations installed for Amos 1.
The development of Amos 2 required an investment of $130 million, some raised by an issue from the Israeli bonds company HLL. Amos 2 production costs amounted to $70 million, its launch cost $35 million, and insurance cost another $25 million, HLL spokesmen say. Following the launch of Amos 2, HLL will begin to raise capital for the third generation Amos 3 satellite to be launched in 2007. Amos 3 will replace Amos 1 and will be the largest ever Israeli communications satellite, weighing 2 tons and costing $160 million.
Last night’s launch was a year behind the original target date after delays caused by production problems.
There were later problems arose with the European Ariane 5 launcher – eventually resolved by transferring responsibility for the launch to Starsem, a joint venture between the French company Ariane Space and the Russian company that makes the Soyuz.
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