NSS-8

NSS-8

Operator	SES New Skies
Major contractors	Boeing Sea Launch (LSP)
Bus	BSS-702
Launch date	30 January 2007 23:22 GMT
Carrier rocket	Zenit-3SL Flight № 24
Mission duration	15 years (planned) Failed to orbit
Mass	5,920 kilograms (13,100 lb)
Orbital elements
Regime	Geostationary (planned)
Longitude	57° East (planned)
Transponders

NSS-8 was a Dutch telecommunications satellite that was destroyed during launch. It was a Boeing 702 spacecraft with 56 C-band and 36 K_u-band transponders, and it was part of the SES NEW SKIES.

The satellite, which was insured, was destroyed when the rocket that was launching it exploded. The rocket was a Zenit 3SL being launched by Sea Launch from its Ocean Odyssey launch pad. The launch attempt occurred at 23:22 GMT on 30 January 2007. "There was an explosion as we were lifting off," said Paula Korn, a spokeswoman for Sea Launch.^{[citation needed]}

NSS-8 was designed to support a wide range of functions, including broadcast applications, government and military operations, corporate communications and Broadband Internet services. When placed in its final orbital position (57° E), the satellite would have provided coverage to two-thirds of the planet, serving countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and Asia.

See also

• Sea Launch
• 2007 in spaceflight