VIDEO - The Amos 3 communications satellite was launched into space successfully Monday morning from the launching site in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, after a four-day delay.
The improved communications satellite, which was scheduled to enter the launching pad Thursday aboard a missile carrier from the launching site in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, was not launched due to a malfunction .
Minutes before the anticipated launch, attended by President Shimon Peres ,a technical problem was found in the separation of the satellite’s supporting arm – to the engineers’ dissatisfaction. The launching of the satellite was postponed while the problem was examined, though the malfunction was not in the satellite itself.
Satellite aboard missile carrier (Photo: Spacecom)
Amos 3 is the most improved satellite model designed so far by “Space-Communication Ltd (Spacecom),” to take off aboard a missile carrier to the same area in space where Amos 1 and Amos 2 are located.
The satellite was designed and built by the Israel Aerospace Industries for the operating company, which defined the improved functions required from the satellite. The satellite is supposed to replace its predecessor, Amos 1, after 12 years of activity.
The launch preparations were part of Israel’s 60th celebrations, and the satellite’s carrier was adorned with Israel’s 60th logo. The satellite cost some $170 million, and is expected to function for 18 years.