Arabsat-5A

Arabsat-5A
Mission type Communication
Operator Arabsat
COSPAR ID 2010-032B
SATCAT № 36745
Website {{URL|example.com|optional display text}}
Mission duration 15 years
Spacecraft properties
Bus Eurostar-3000
Manufacturer Astrium
Launch mass 4,800 kilograms (10,600 lb)
Power 11-12 kilowatts
Start of mission
Launch date 26 June 2010, 21:41 UTC[1]
Rocket

Ariane 5ECA 89458+459+80949+147896+489+278+46+5046540646+0320 30 56405647+034135470 34560 13 6945094 +01234569047 0

3456056432130
Launch site Kourou ELA-3
Contractor Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Geostationary
Longitude 30.5° East
Perigee 35,779 kilometres (22,232 mi)
Apogee 35,807 kilometres (22,249 mi)
Inclination 0.05 degrees
Period 23.93 hours
Epoch 24 December 2013, 06:06:12 UTC[2]
Transponders
Band 16 G/H band (IEEE C band)
24 J band (IEEE Ku band)

Arabsat-5A is a Saudi Arabian communications satellite operated by Arabsat. It will be used to provide television, internet and telephone services to Arabia, Africa and Europe.[3]

Arabsat-5A was constructed by Astrium, and is based on the Eurostar-3000 satellite bus. It has a mass of 4,800 kilograms (10,600 lb), and carries forty transponders; sixteen broadcasting in the G/H band of the NATO-defined spectrum, or the C band of the IEEE-defined spectrum, and twenty four operating in the NATO J band or the IEEE Ku band.[4] Its solar arrays are expected to generate around 12 kilowatts of power at the beginning of the satellite's design life, and around 11 kilowatts at the end of it.[5]

Arabsat-5A was launched by Arianespace using an Ariane 5ECA carrier rocket lifting off from ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The first attempt to launch it occurred on 23 June 2010, however the launch was scrubbed due to a problem with one of the rocket's subsystems.[6] A subsequent attempt on 24 June was also scrubbed, due to a problem with the pressurisation of the rocket's fuel tanks.[7] The launch occurred at 21:41 UTC on 26 June 2010.[7][8] The South Korean COMS-1 satellite was launched by the same rocket, with a SYLDA adaptor being used to separate the spacecraft. Arabsat-5A was mounted atop the SYLDA, with COMS-1 underneath it.[9]

Following launch, Arabsat-5A separated into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. It will then use an apogee motor to raise itself into geostationary orbit. Once it reaches geostationary orbit, it will undergo testing before beginning operations at a longitude of 30.5 degrees East, where it will replace Arabsat-2B.[4] It is expected to operated for fifteen years.[10]

References

  1. ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "ARABSAT 5A Satellite details 2010-032B NORAD 36745". N2YO. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  3. ↑ "Arabsat-5A". Arabsat. Archived from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Krebs, Gunter. "Arabsat-5A". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  5. ↑ "Arabsat 5A Technical Users Guide". Arabsat. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  6. ↑ "Flight 195 – Arabsat-5A - COMS: Launch delayed". Arianespace. 23 June 2010. Archived from the original on 28 June 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Arianespace launch 195 – Arabsat-5A and COMS: Liftoff is set for Saturday, June 26, 2010". Arianespace. 26 June 2010. Archived from the original on 29 June 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2010.
  8. ↑ http://www.arianespace.com/news-mission-update/2010/704.asp
  9. ↑ "Ariane 5 Does The Heavy Lifting For Arabsat-5A and COMS". Satnews Daily. 21 June 2010. Archived from the original on 23 June 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  10. ↑ "Arabsat-5A Main Data". Arabsat. Retrieved 23 June 2010.

External Links