AsiaStar
Mission type | Communication |
---|---|
Operator | 1worldspace |
COSPAR ID | 2000-016A |
SATCAT no. | 26107 |
Mission duration | 12 years |
Spacecraft properties | |
Bus | Eurostar E2000+ |
Manufacturer |
Alcatel Space Matra Marconi Space |
Launch mass | 2,750 kilograms (6,060 lb) |
Dry mass | 1,530 kilograms (3,370 lb) |
Power | 5,600 watts |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 21 March 2000 |
Rocket | Ariane 5G |
Launch site | Kourou ELA-3 |
Contractor | Arianespace |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Geostationary |
Longitude | 105° East |
Perigee | 35,776 kilometres (22,230 mi)[1] |
Apogee | 35,811 kilometres (22,252 mi)[1] |
Inclination | 0.06 degrees[1] |
Period | 1436.16 minutes[1] |
Epoch | 23 January 2015, 21:10:09 UTC[1] |
AsiaStar is an American communications satellite which is operated by 1worldspace. It was constructed by Alcatel Space and Matra Marconi Space based on the Eurostar E2000+ bus design. Launch occurred on 21 March 2000, at 23:28 GMT. The launch was contracted by Arianespace, and used an Ariane 5G carrier rocket flying from ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Centre. The INSAT-3B satellite was launched on the same rocket.
Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 105° East, from where it provides mobile communications services to Asia. It carries three transponders, and has an expected on-orbit lifespan of 12 years.
On 31 December 2009, Worldspace ceased broadcasting on the Asiastar satellite in line with its bankruptcy issues, however as of 30 November 2010 two Free to Air (unencrypted) stations are still available, namely Sai Global Harmony and Radio France International.
References
- Krebs, Gunter. "AfriStar 1, 2, AsiaStar, WorldStar 4". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- "AsiaStar". Lyngsat. Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- McDowell, Jonathan (2000-03-28). "Issue 422". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 2009-05-02.