Eutelsat 36A (formerly Eutelsat W4 and Eutelsat 3 F-4) is a French communications satellite operated by Eutelsat Communications. It was constructed by Alcatel Space and is based on the Spacebus-3000B2 satellite bus.[2]
| Names | Eutelsat 3 F-4 Eutelsat W4 (2000–2012) Eutelsat 36A (2012–2016) Eutelsat 70C (2016) (2018–2019) Eutelsat 80A (2017–2018) Eutelsat 748E (2019–present) |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | Eutelsat Communications |
| COSPAR ID | 2000-028A |
| SATCAT no. | 26369 |
| Website | www |
| Mission duration | 12 years (planned) 24 years, 5 months and 29 days (in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Eutelsat W4 |
| Spacecraft type | Spacebus |
| Bus | Spacebus-3000B2 |
| Manufacturer | Alcatel Space |
| Launch mass | 3,190 kg (7,030 lb) |
| Dry mass | 1,285 kg (2,833 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 24 May 2000, 23:10:05 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas IIIA (AC-201) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, SLC-36B |
| Contractor | Lockheed Martin Astronautics |
| Entered service | July 2000 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 36° East (2000–2016) [1] 70.5° East (2016) 88.5° East (2017) 80.5° East (2017–2018) 12.7° West (2018–2019) 70.3° East (2019) 48° East (2019–present) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 31 Ku-Band |
| Coverage area | Africa, Russia |
Launch
editEutelsat W4 was launched on the maiden flight of the Atlas III launch vehicle, which used the Atlas IIIA configuration. The launch was contracted by International Launch Services (ILS), and occurred on 24 May 2000, at 23:10:05 UTC from Space Launch Complex 36B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS).[3]
Eutelsat W4
editFollowing its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 36° East,[4] from where it provides communications services to Russia and Africa. It carries thirty-one transponders, and has an expected on-orbit lifespan of 12 years.
Eutelsat 36A
editIn December 2011, Eutelsat announced, that their satellite assets will be renamed under a unified brand name effective from March 2012. This satellite became Eutelsat 36A.[2]
Eutelsat 70C
editEutelsat 70C at 70.5° East in 2016 and at 70.3° East in 2018–2019.[1]
Eutelsat 80A
editEutelsat 80A at 80.5° East in 2017–2018.[1]
Eutelsat 48E
editEutelsat 48E at 48° East since 2019.[1]
References
edit
- ^ a b c d "Eutelsat W4". TBS. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Eutelsat W4 → Eutelsat 36A → Eutelsat 70C". Gunter's Space Page. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Issue 427 - 29 May 2000". Jonathan's Space Report. 29 May 2000. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Eutelsat 36A". LyngSat. Archived from the original on 2 May 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2009.