Arabsat-5A

Arabsat-5A

Arabsat-5A

Communications satellite

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]

Quick Facts Mission type, Operator ...

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. [1]
    McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  2. [2]
    "ARABSAT 5A Satellite details 2010-032B NORAD 36745". N2YO. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  3. [3]
    "Arabsat-5A". Arabsat. Archived from the original on May 26, 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  4. [4]
    Krebs, Gunter. "Arabsat-5A". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  5. [5]
    "Arabsat 5A Technical Users Guide" (PDF). Arabsat. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 October 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
  6. [6]
    "Flight 195 – Arabsat-5A - COMS: Launch delayed". Arianespace. 23 June 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  7. [7]
    "Arianespace launch 195 – Arabsat-5A and COMS: Liftoff is set for Saturday, June 26, 2010". Arianespace. 26 June 2010. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  8. [8]
    "Mission accomplished! Arianespace orbits Arabsat-5A and COMS". Arianespace. June 26, 2010. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  9. [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. [10]
    "Arabsat-5A Main Data" (PDF). Arabsat. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 December 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2010.
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