Ariane flight V85, using a 42P model of the booster series, was launched on 21 April, from Kourou, French Guiana, placing the 2,855kg MSAT-1 satellite into orbit. From its position at 106.5°W in geostationary orbit, the Hughes HS-601 space craft, equipped with two light-weight 5.1 x 5.7m oval springback antennae, will be operated by TMI Communications of Ottawa, Canada to provide coverage for mobile-communications services, anywhere in Canada and the USA, operating in tandem with American Mobile Satellite's (AMSC) MSAT-2, which was launched into orbit in April 1995.
Source: Flight International
