WorldSpace
Program · France
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
The WorldSpace project, led by Ethiopian-born Noah Samara, was intended to empower the developing world by providing improved access to information. Its three satellites, Afristar, Asiastar, and Ameristar, were to broadcast digital radio to less developed countries. Small hand-held radios could pick up the 24 to 96 radio channels available on the three L-band beams broadcast by each satellite. On-board processing allows variable bit rates to provide audio quality ranging from monophonic to CD digital. Broadcasters would send their programs to the satellite with a small X-band ground station.
Related
- Country
- France
- Spacecraft
- Eurostar 2000
- Launch Vehicles
- Ariane 44L
- Projects
- WorldSpace
- Launch Sites
- Kourou
- Agency
- Toulouse
- Bibliography
- 9301
Chronology
2 events
1998 October 28
22:15 GMT - . Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou ELA2. LV Family: Ariane. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L.- Afristar - .
Payload: Eurostar 2000+. Mass: 2,750 kg (6,060 lb). Nation: France.
Agency: Worldspace.
Manufacturer: Toulouse.
Program: WorldSpace.
Class: Communications.
Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Eurostar 2000.
USAF Sat Cat: 25515 . COSPAR: 1998-063A. Apogee: 35,805 km (22,248 mi). Perigee: 35,769 km (22,225 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.
Afristar was the first WorldSpace satellite. Afristar was to broadcast digital radio over Africa and the Middle East. Small hand-held radios could pick up the 24 to 96 radio channels available on the three L-band beams. Dry mass of Afristar was 1205 kg; it carried 1534 kg of propellant at launch. Geostationary at 21.0 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 21 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 20.98 deg E drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 20.98E drifting at 0.010W degrees per day.
2000 March 21
23:28 GMT - . Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: Kourou ELA3. LV Family: Ariane 5. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G.- Asiastar - .
Payload: Eurostar 2000+. Mass: 2,778 kg (6,124 lb). Nation: Europe.
Agency: Worldspace.
Manufacturer: Toulouse.
Program: Worldspace.
Class: Communications.
Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Eurostar 2000.
USAF Sat Cat: 26107 . COSPAR: 2000-016A. Apogee: 35,805 km (22,248 mi). Perigee: 35,770 km (22,220 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.
Direct Radio Broadcasting satelllite. First night launch of Ariane 5. Worldspace's second digital radio satellite. Joined Afristar in orbit with a mission of providing radio broadcasting to the developing world. Stationed at 105 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 105 deg E in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 104.96 deg E drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 104.99E drifting at 0.012W degrees per day.