Eutelsat 117 West A, formerly Satmex 8, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Eutelsat. Previously operated by Satmex, it was launched by a Proton-M/Briz-M rocket in March 2013 to replace Satmex 5, and is being used to provide communication services to North, Central and South America,[5] with broadband, voice and data transmission, and video broadcasting services.[1][6] The satellite was transferred from Satmex to Eutelsat when the companies merged in 2014, being renamed as part of the Eutelsat fleet in May 2014.[7]
| Names | Satmex 8 (2013–2014) Eutelsat 117 West A (2014–present) |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communication |
| Operator | Satmex (2013–2014) Eutelsat (2014–present) |
| COSPAR ID | 2013-012A |
| SATCAT no. | 39122 |
| Mission duration | 15 years[1] |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | LS-1300[1] |
| Manufacturer | Space Systems/Loral |
| Launch mass | 5,500 kilograms (12,100 lb)[2] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 26 March 2013, 19:06:48 UTC[3] |
| Rocket | Proton-M/Briz-M |
| Launch site | Baikonur 200/39[2] |
| Contractor | ILS |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 116.78° West |
| Perigee altitude | 35,785 kilometres (22,236 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 35,800 kilometres (22,200 mi) |
| Inclination | 0.02 degrees |
| Period | 23.93 hours |
| Epoch | 27 May 2014, 10:01:52 UTC[4] |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 24 C-band 40 Ku-band |
Specifications edit
The satellite is model SSL 1300E and carries twenty four C band transponders operating with 36 MHz and forty transponders in the Ku band operating with 36 MHz.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Satmex 8". Gunter's Space Page. March 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
- ^ a b c Press release - Satmex 8 Archived 2013-02-16 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ^ "SATMEX 8 Satellite details 2013-012A NORAD 39122". N2YO. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ^ "Satmex 8". SSL. 28 March 2013. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
- ^ Stephen Clark (27 March 2013). "Proton successful in return-to-flight launch of Satmex 8". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "SATMEX 8 → Eutelsat 117 West A". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
 | This article about one or more communications satellites is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |