Arabsat-5A
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorArabsat
COSPAR ID2010-032B
SATCAT no.36745
Websitearabsat.com/pages/Arabsat5A.aspx
Mission duration15 years
Spacecraft properties
BusEurostar-3000
ManufacturerAstrium
Launch mass4,800 kilograms (10,600 lb)
Power11-12 kilowatts
Start of mission
Launch date26 June 2010, 21:41 (2010-06-26UTC21:41Z) UTC[1]
RocketAriane 5ECA
Launch siteKourou ELA-3
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude30.5° East
Perigee altitude35,779 kilometres (22,232 mi)
Apogee altitude35,807 kilometres (22,249 mi)
Inclination0.05 degrees
Period23.93 hours
Epoch24 December 2013, 06:06:12 UTC[2]
Transponders
Band16 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]

History

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 then use an apogee motor to raise itself into geostationary orbit. Once it reached geostationary orbit, it underwent testing before beginning operations at a longitude of 30.5 degrees East, where it replaced Arabsat-2B.[4] It is expected to operate 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 May 26, 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  4. 1 2 Krebs, Gunter. "Arabsat-5A". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  5. ↑ "Arabsat 5A Technical Users Guide" (PDF). Arabsat. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  6. ↑ "Flight 195 – Arabsat-5A - COMS: Launch delayed". Arianespace. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Arianespace launch 195 – Arabsat-5A and COMS: Liftoff is set for Saturday, June 26, 2010". Arianespace. 26 June 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  8. ↑ "Mission accomplished! Arianespace orbits Arabsat-5A and COMS". Arianespace. June 26, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Ariane 5 Does The Heavy Lifting For Arabsat-5A and COMS". Satnews Daily. 21 June 2010. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  10. ↑ "Arabsat-5A Main Data" (PDF). Arabsat. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 December 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
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