Page 20 - Italy In Space
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Telecommunication Satellites [5]
July 11, 1989. The satellite, designed and built by Aeritalia, was launched from Kourou and, after
several mishaps in orbit, run out of control. Efforts to stabilize it resulted in the loss of most of its fuel.
It was eventually moved to a Geo disposal orbit and was put out of commission in August 1993.
Commemorative cover canceled in Kourou with the manual Ariane 3 launch postmark.
January 15, 1991. Launch of ITALSAT Flying unit F1, the first space program directly managed by
the newly born ASI (Italian Space Agency) as the continuation of the SIRIO programme, using
innovative multiband antennas. Alenia Spazio is the main contractor. F1 is launched with a lifetime
plan of 5 years. It will be operational until Jan. 2001. Commemorative cover cancelled in Kourou on
the day of launch. with the manual Ariane 4 launch postmark, which was in use until February 2003.
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