Eutelsat 113 West A

Eutelsat 113 West A
Names Satmex-6 (2006-14)
Eutelsat 113 West A (2014-)
Mission type Communication
Operator Satmex (2006-14)
Eutelsat (2014-)
COSPAR ID 2006-020A
SATCAT № 29162
Mission duration 15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Bus LS-1300X
Manufacturer Space Systems/Loral
Launch mass 5,456 kilograms (12,028 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date 27 May 2006, 21:09 (2006-05-27UTC21:09Z) UTC
Rocket Ariane 5ECA
Launch site Kourou ELA-3
Contractor Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Geostationary
Longitude 113° West
Perigee 35,783 kilometres (22,235 mi)
Apogee 35,801 kilometres (22,246 mi)
Inclination 0.00 degrees
Period 23.93 hours
Epoch 27 May 2014, 09:05:59 UTC[1]
Transponders
Band 36 G/H band
24 J band

Eutelsat 113 West A, formerly Satmex-6, is a geostationary communications satellite which is operated by Eutelsat. Originally built for Mexico's Satmex, it was launched in 2006. The satellite was acquired by Eutelsat in its 2014 merger with Satmex, and renamed Eutelsat 113 West A in May.[2] It is used to provide communications services to the Americas, Hawaii and the Caribbean.[3]

Constructed by Space Systems/Loral, Satmex 6 is based on the LS-1300X satellite bus. It is equipped with 36 G/H band (IEEE C band) and 24 J band (IEEE Ku-band) transponders, and at launch it had a mass of 5,456 kilograms (12,028 lb), with an expected operational lifespan of 15 years.[2][4]

Arianespace was contracted to launch Satmex 6, using an Ariane 5ECA carrier rocket flying from ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Centre. The launch occurred at 21:09 GMT on 27 May 2006, and placed Satmex 6, along with the Thaicom 5 satellite, into a geosynchronous transfer orbit.[5] At the time, this was the heaviest dual-satellite payload ever launched to geostationary transfer orbit.[6]

Following launch, the satellite raised its own orbit by means of an onboard apogee motor. At 18:33 GMT on 31 May, it was injected into geostationary orbit. It was subsequently tested, and positioned at a longitude of 113° West for operational service.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "SATMEX 6 Satellite details 2006-020A NORAD 29162". N2YO. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 Krebs, Gunter. "SATMEX 6 → Eutelsat 113 West A". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "Satmex 6 (113.0W)". Satellite Fleet. Satmex. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
  4. ↑ "UCS Satellite Database". Union of Concerned Scientists. 2009-07-01. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
  5. ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
  6. ↑ Launch Webcast. Arianespace. 2006-05-27.
  7. ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Index". Geostationary Orbit Catalog. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-08-08.

External links

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