Satellite News

Arianespace and TerreStar Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Motient Corporation and an emerging North American mobile communications operator, signed a “Launch on Demand” contract for TerreStar I, which according to Terrestar will be the largest commercial communications satellite ever launched into geostationary orbit.

A Proton M rocket with Briz M upper stage lifted off at 2001 UTC on 8 November as planned, carrying Arabsat’s Badr 4 spacecraft (a.k.a. Arabsat 4B).