SES-1
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | SES World Skies |
| COSPAR ID | 2010-016A |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | Star-2.4 |
| Manufacturer | Orbital Sciences |
| Launch mass | 3,170 kilograms (6,990 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 24 April 2010, 11:19:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Proton-M/Briz-M |
| Launch site | Baikonur 200/39 |
| Contractor | ILS |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 101° West (2013) |
| Inclination | 0 degrees |
| Period | 24 hours |
| Transponders | |
| Band |
24 G/H band (IEEE C band) 24 J band (IEEE Ku band) |
| Coverage area |
C band (USA, Mexico, Caribbean, Canada, Central America) Ku band (USA, Southern Canada, Northern Mexico) |
SES-1 is a geostationary communications satellite which is operated by SES World Skies. It was originally ordered by SES Americom as a ground spare for AMC-5R, however in April 2008 a decision was made to launch it, and it was named AMC-1R. It was subsequently renamed AMC-4R, and finally SES-1 after SES Americom merged with SES New Skies to form SES World Skies.[1] It was the third World Skies satellite to be launched following the merger, but the first to carry the new SES designation.[2] SES-1 operates in geostationary orbit, and is intended to be located at a longitude of 101 degrees West, where it will replace the AMC-2 and AMC-4 satellites, and be used broadcast high-definition television to very small aperture terminals in the United States.[3]
SES-1 was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, and is based on the Star-2.4 satellite bus. It is equipped with 24 G/H band (IEEE C band), and 24 J band (IEEE Ku band) transponders, and at launch it had a mass of 3,170 kilograms (6,990 lb). It has a design life of fifteen years, however it was launched with enough fuel to operate for at least sixteen if its systems are still functional.[1]
The launch of SES-1 was conducted by International Launch Services, using a Proton-M carrier rocket with a Briz-M upper stage.[3] The launch occurred from Site 200/39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, at 11:19:00 GMT on 24 April 2010.[2] The launch successfully placed SES-1 into a subsynchronous orbit close to geostationary altitude.[3][4]
In May and June 2010, SES-1 was positioned close to 131° West to temporarily provide backup to the AMC-11 satellite in the event that AMC-11 could not continue broadcasting whilst it is moved out of the way of the failed Galaxy 15 satellite, which passed close to it at the end of May.[5] In the end, services provided by AMC-11 were not interrupted.[6]
See also
References
- 1 2 Krebs, Gunter. "SES 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- 1 2 3 "SES-1 Mission Overview" (PDF). International Launch Services. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
- ↑ Bergin, Chris (24 April 2010). "ILS Proton-M successfully launches with Orbital-built SES-1 satellite". Nasaspaceflight.com. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
- ↑ de Selding, Peter B (17 May 2010). "SES Details Plan To Avert Interference by Failed Intelsat Craft". Space News. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
- ↑ de Selding, Peter B (3 June 2010). "Intelsat, SES Safely Negotiate Passage of Wayward Craft". Space News. Archived from the original on 7 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.