Question: Name the company which has launched two commercial communications satellites, Eutelsat 117 West B and ABS-2A successfully in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits (GTO).
(a) Space X
(b) NASA
(c) ISRO
(d) None of the above
Ans:(a)
Related facts:
- On 15 June 2016 SpaceX, an American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company has successfully delivered two commercial communications satellites, Eutelsat 117 West B and ABS-2A, to their targeted Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits (GTO).
- The satellite were launched using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
- The two satellites, EUTELSAT 117 West B and ABS-2A, are operated respectively by Eutelsat and ABS – two companies that provide global communications services to a variety of users.
- The two satellites are delivered to Geostationary Transfer Orbits (GTO).
- While returning the reusable rocket was destroyed just before landing on floating barge in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Falcon 9 is a family of two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle both stages are powered by rocket engines that burn liquid oxygen (LOX) and rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) propellants.
Reference:
http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/06/15/eutelsatabs-mission-photos
http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/spacex_eutelsat_abs_press_kit.pdf