The Morelos-3 satellite launched aboard an Atlas V 421 rocket on Oct. 2. Image credit: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin’s Commercial Launch Services successfully launched the Mexican Morelos-3 communications satellite into orbit on Oct. 2.
The satellite was launched on board a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 421 rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
“The quality and reliability of the Atlas V is unparalleled, and today it delivered on a critical step toward bringing next-generation mobile telecommunications services to Mexico,” said Steve Skladanek, president of Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services. “The placement of Morelos-3 into orbit is vital to an effective Mexsat constellation, and partnering with ULA, we were able to help the customer achieve that mission.”
Morelos-3 will join Mexico’s other primary telecommunications satellites in the country’s Mexsat constellation, which serves to provide end-to-end communications support for national security, civil and humanitarian efforts. It will be part of Mexico’s disaster relief efforts, emergency services, telemedicine, rural education, and telecommunications access for remote populations.
This is United Launch Alliance’s 100th mission since the company was formed in 2006, and the 57th mission that the Atlas V has flown since its first mission in 2002.
“The successful placement of Morelos-3 into orbit is tremendous news for Mexico,” said Omar Charfen, Mexsat program director general. “Now, we can begin to use Morelos-3 to expand the already robust capabilities of our Mexsat communications network.”
Lockheed Martin has used Commercial Launch Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary, to market the Atlas V to commercial satellite customers around the globe. It also offers smaller Athena launch services and multi-payload RideShare missions.
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense
