AMC-23 (formerly GE-23) is an American geostationary communications satellite that was launched by a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle at 02:28:40 UTC on 29 December 2005. The 4,981 kg (10,981 lb) satellite to provide services to the Asia-Pacific, West Coast of the United States through separate beams to each region, after parking over the Pacific Ocean through its 18 ( 4) C-band and 20 ( 6) Ku-band transponders, over 186° West longitude.[2][3]
| Names | GE-2i Worldsat-3 AMC-13 GE-23 Eutelsat-172A Eutelsat-174A |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | SES Americom (2005-2009) SES World Skies (2009-2011) SES S.A. (2011-2012) Eutelsat (2012-present) |
| COSPAR ID | 2005-052A |
| SATCAT no. | 28924 |
| Mission duration | 16 years (planned) 18 years, 10 months, 25 days (elapsed) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | GE-23 [1] |
| Spacecraft type | Spacebus 4000 |
| Bus | Spacebus 4000C3 |
| Manufacturer | Alcatel Space |
| Launch mass | 4,981 kg (10,981 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 29 December 2005, 02:28:40 UTC |
| Rocket | Proton-M / Briz-M |
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 81/24 |
| Contractor | Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center |
| Entered service | Mars 2006 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 186° West |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 38 ( 10) transponders: 18 ( 4) C-band 20 ( 6) Ku-band |
| Coverage area | Asia-Pacific, West Coast of the United States |
GE-2i/AMC-13/Worldsat-3/AMC-23
editAMC-13 was originally ordered as GE-2i. In early 2004, AMC-13 was transferred to Worldsat LLC, a new subsidiary of SES Americom as Worldsat 3. The original AMC-13 was to feature 60 C-Band transponders, but when transferred to Worldsat, it was ordered to be changed to the hybrid C-/Ku-band payload with 18 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders. In early 2005, it was renamed AMC-23.[1][3]
GE-23
editIn 2007, the satellite was spun-off from SES Americom to GE-Satellite, when General Electric split off from SES. After this transaction, the satellite was renamed GE-23.[1]
Eutelsat-172A
editEutelsat has announced in June 2012 the acquisition of GE-23 satellite from GE-Satellite. The satellite is renamed to Eutelsat 172A and expands Eutelsat coverage to Asia-Pacific region and West Coast of United States of America. The satellite had at that time an estimated lifespan of 8.5 years.[1][3]
Eutelsat-174A
editIn 2017, after Eutelsat 172B had replaced it, Eutelsat 172A was moved to 174° East and renamed Eutelsat 174A.[1][3]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "AMC 23 → GE 23 → Eutelsat 172A → Eutelsat 174A". Gunter's Space Page. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ "Display: AMC 23 2005-052A". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c d "Home - Satellites". Satbeams. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.