Hot Bird 13B, known as Hot Bird 8 prior to 2012, is a geostationary communications satellite. Operated by Eutelsat, it provides direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting services from geostationary orbit as part of Eutelsat's Hot Bird constellation at a longitude of 13° East.

Hot Bird 13B
NamesHot Bird 8 (2006–2012)
Hot Bird 13B (2012–2023)
Eutelsat Hot Bird 13B
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorEutelsat
COSPAR ID2006-032A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.29270
Websitewww.eutelsat.com/en/satellites/the-fleet/EUTELSAT-HB13B.html
Mission duration15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftHot Bird 8
Spacecraft typeEurostar (satellite bus)
BusEurostar-3000
ManufacturerEADS Astrium
Launch mass4,875 kg (10,748 lb)
Power14 kW
Start of mission
Launch date4 August 2006, 21:48:00 UTC
RocketProton-M / Briz-M
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 200/39
ContractorKhrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Entered serviceOctober 2006
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude13° East
Transponders
Band64 Ku-band
Coverage areaEurope, North Africa, Middle East

Satellite description

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Eutelsat and EADS Astrium announced in September 2003 the signature of a contract for the construction the Hot Bird 8 broadcast satellite. Hot Bird 8 was constructed by EADS Astrium, and is based on the Eurostar-3000 satellite bus. It has a mass of 4,875 kg (10,748 lb) and is expected to operate for 15 years. The spacecraft has 64 Ku-band transponders,[1] broadcasting satellite television and radio to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.[2]

Launch

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Hot Bird 8, as it was then named, was launched by a Proton-M launch vehicle with a Briz-M upper stage. The launch took place from Site 200/39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, at 21:48:00 UTC on 4 August 2006 [3] with spacecraft separation occurring at 06:59:20 UTC on 5 August 2006.[4] The launch was conducted by International Launch Services.[5] The spacecraft was deployed into geosynchronous transfer orbit, raising itself to its operational geostationary position at 13° East by means of its apogee motor. The spacecraft is co-located with Hot Bird 13C and Hot Bird 13D.

References

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  1. ^ "Hotbird 8, 9, 10 → Hotbird 13B, 13C, 13D / Atlantic Bird 4A / Eutelsat 3C / Eutelsat 33E". Gunter's Space Page. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  2. ^ "EUTELSAT HOT BIRD 13B satellite". The Fleet. Eutelsat. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  3. ^ McDowell, Jonathan (14 March 2021). "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  4. ^ "ILS Current Campaign Blog - HOT BIRD 8" (PDF). International Launch Services. 7 September 2006. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
  5. ^ "HOT BIRD 8". International Launch Services. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
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