Nimiq6 reached orbit tonight. Is that a big deal anymore? Probably not.
There are launches all-the-time and unless you’re geekier than me (unlikely) you never hear of them.
Nimiq6 is a Canadian communications satellite in geosynchronous orbit. It’s their equivalent of Dish Network or DirecTV.
Spaceflightnow quotes the man ultimately in charge.
“It takes more than a million man hours and hundreds of engineers and technicians working together as a team to build a satellite like Nimiq 6,” said John Celli, president of Space Systems/Loral. “
A million and a half pounds of rocket and payload are launched to position a 9,900 pound satellite!
Every part of this has to work. The launch must be successful, followed by the rocket stages. Once it’s parked the solar cells and antennas must deploy properly and all the electronics have to work. It’s hope that it won’t be hit by anything large enough to harm it over its fifteen year lifespan.
No guarantees. No repairs.
Geosynchronous satellites become less efficient close to the poles. Canada’s tough to serve.
Dishes must be pointed lower and lower in the sky until finally the satellite is below the horizon and can’t be seen!
This bird uses strongly directional antennas. They concentrate power where it’s needed without wasting any where it’s not!
Which is more amazing, that all this can be done, or that we accept these exceptional achievements as no big deal.