Amos 5 satellite launched into space
Spacecom's biggest yet communications hub to expand services in Africa, Europe and Mideast
The satellite Amos 5, operated by the Israeli company Spacecom, has been launched into space from Kazakhstan on Sunday. The apparatus is meant to expand the company's services to Africa, as well as Europe and the Middle East.
Amos 5 was produced by the Russian company NPO PM, and cost $157 million. It is the biggest of Spacecom's satellites and is the only not to be produced by the Israel Aerospace Industries.
Amos 5 being launched
The satellite joins Spacecom's Amos 2 and 3, which are already operational in space. Amos 4 is currently under construction, and is scheduled to be launched in 2012. Amos 6 is expected to be space-ready in 2014.
Spacecom's biggest (Photo: Spacecom)
The satellite is carrying sophisticated communication equipment that allows it to function as a remote transmission and broadcast hub. Gear the likes of Amos 5 provide services to television channels, internet providers, telecom companies and infrastructure suppliers.
It orbits the earth at a distance of tens of thousands of kilometers over the equator, and moves with the direction of the earth's rotation.
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