AMC-4

For the ship designated AMc-4, see USS Goshawk (AM-79).

AMC-4
NamesGE-4 (1999-2001)
AMC-4 (2001-present)
Mission typeCommunications[1]
OperatorGE Americom (1999-2001)
SES Americom (2001-2009)
SES World Skies (2009-2011)
SES (2011-present)
COSPAR ID1999-060A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.25954
WebsiteSES-AMERICOM AMC-4
Mission duration15 years (planned) [2][3]
25 years, 8 days (elapsed)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGE-4
Spacecraft typeLockheed Martin A2100
BusLM A2100AX
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Launch mass3,895 kg (8,587 lb) [2]
Start of mission
Launch date13 November 1999, 22:54 UTC
RocketAriane 44LP H10-3 (V123) [2]
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2[1][2]
ContractorArianespace
Entered service2000
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude134.9° West [3]
Transponders
Band52 transponders:
24 C-band
28 Ku-band[3]
Frequency36 MHz
72 MHz (4 Ku-band)
Coverage areaNorth America, Latin America, Caribbean[3]
← AMC-3
AMC-5 →

AMC-4 (formerly GE-4) is a commercial broadcast communications satellite owned by SES World Skies, part of SES (and formerly GE Americom, then SES Americom). Launched in 1999, from Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2 by Ariane 44LP H10-3. It provides coverage to North America, Latin America, Caribbean. Located in a geostationary orbit, AMC-4 provides service to commercial and government customers, with programming distribution, satellite news gathering and broadcast internet capabilities.[3]

AMC-4 was launched on 13 November 1999 at 22:54 UTC as GE-4, GE Americom's fourth A2100 hybrid C-band and Ku-band satellite. The C-band payload was home to national television networks broadcasting to thousands of cable television headends. AMC-4's Ku-band transponders served the direct-to-home (DTH), VSAT, business television and broadband Internet market segments. These Ku-band transponders are designed to be switchable between North and South American coverages.[3] It was renamed AMC-4 after GE Americom was bought by SES and re-branded SES Americom. In 2009, SES Americom merged with SES New Skies to form SES World Skies. AMC-4 has been replaced by SES-1 in 2010. AMC-4 has been moved to 134.9° West, and currently has no FTA signals.

Transponder data

Transponders C-band Ku-band
Number of transponders and frequency 24 x 36 MHz 24 x 36 MHz; 4 x 72 MHz
Amp type SSPA, 20 watts TWTA, 110 watts
Amp redundancy: 16 for 12 18 for 14
Receiver redundancy: 4 for 2 4 for 2
Coverage: North America, Latin America, Caribbean
Beacon: 3700.5 MHz (V), 4199.5 MHz (H) 11702 MHz (H), 12198 MHz (V)
Typical Footprint · Frequency Plan

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Display: GE 4 1999-060A". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c d Krebs, Gunter (12 April 2019). "GE 4, 6 / AMC 4, 6 / Rainbow 2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "AMC-4". SES. Retrieved 2 April 2021.


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