-
The 13-tonne mission was initially lifted into a 350km-high orbit above Earth, with the expectation that the probe's big engine would fire twice - first, to raise that orbit, and, second, to set course for Mars.
BBC: Signal picked up from Russia's stranded Mars probe
-
But unlike Iridium's 66 low-orbit birds, Astrolink will cover the earth with only four high-orbit geostationary fliers.
FORBES: Swords into Dow shares
-
This is opening new opportunities for even high school students and hobbyists to launch satellites into low earth orbit and dream of going there themselves.
FORBES: Private Space Transportation Reaching New Heights
-
Meanwhile, Sherwood sees the space tourism industry growing up around resort hotels in earth orbit, which would be initially marketed to high rollers able to spend a week in space.
FORBES: Space Architecture And View Condos In Low Earth Orbit
-
However, aside from a lack of gravity, Logan says high radiation is the real hurdle for living and procreating in low earth orbit and beyond.
FORBES: Sex In Space No Panacea For Conception Challenges, Says Former NASA Flight Surgeon
-
With all three vehicles, Arianespace, the company that runs Kourou, will now be able to offer satellite operators a ride for any type of spacecraft to all kinds of orbit - from the low, pole-crossing orbits used by Earth observation missions, to the high, geostationary locations favoured by big telecommunications platforms.
BBC: Vega rocket set for maiden voyage