Eutelsat 36A

Eutelsat 36A
NamesEutelsat 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 typeCommunications
OperatorEutelsat Communications
COSPAR ID2000-028A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.26369
Websitewww.eutelsat.com/en/home.html
Mission duration12 years (planned)
24 years, 7 months and 8 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftEutelsat W4
Spacecraft typeSpacebus
BusSpacebus-3000B2
ManufacturerAlcatel Space
Launch mass3,190 kg (7,030 lb)
Dry mass1,285 kg (2,833 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date24 May 2000, 23:10:05 UTC
RocketAtlas IIIA (AC-201)
Launch siteCape Canaveral, SLC-36B
ContractorLockheed Martin Astronautics
Entered serviceJuly 2000
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude36° 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
Band31 Ku-Band
Coverage areaAfrica, Russia

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]

Launch

Eutelsat 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

Following 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

In 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

Eutelsat 70C at 70.5° East in 2016 and at 70.3° East in 2018–2019.[1]

Eutelsat 80A

Eutelsat 80A at 80.5° East in 2017–2018.[1]

Eutelsat 48E

Eutelsat 48E at 48° East since 2019.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Eutelsat W4". TBS. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Eutelsat W4 → Eutelsat 36A → Eutelsat 70C". Gunter's Space Page. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Issue 427 - 29 May 2000". Jonathan's Space Report. 29 May 2000. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Eutelsat 36A". LyngSat. Archived from the original on 2 May 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2009.