ABS All-electric Satellite Arrives Early at Operating Orbit

Satellite fleet operator ABS on Sept. 10 said its ABS-3A satellite, the world’s first all-electric commercial telecommunications spacecraft, has reached final geostationary position and begun operations six months after its launch. Bermuda-based ABS said the satellite’s entry into service occurred about one month ahead of schedule. The advantage of all-electric satellites is their low launch mass, allowing the purchase of less-expensive launch services or, in the case of ABS, enabling satellite operators to launch two satellites at a time depending on the rocket selected. The disadvantage is that they take months to reach geostationary position, rather than a couple of weeks for satellites with chemical propellant. More

(Source: SpaceNews - Sep 11)