| Arabsat-6A | |
| Mission Type: | Communications satellite |
| Operator: | King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology |
| Cospar Id: | 2019-021A |
| Satcat: | 44186 |
| Mission Duration: | (elapsed) |
| Spacecraft Type: | Telecomm |
| Spacecraft Bus: | A2100 |
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed Martin |
| Launch Mass: | 6,465 kg [1] |
| Launch Date: | April 11, 2019, 22:35 UTC |
| Launch Rocket: | Falcon Heavy |
| Launch Site: | Kennedy LC-39A |
| Launch Contractor: | SpaceX |
| Orbit Regime: | Geostationary |
| Orbit Longitude: | 30.5° E[2] |
| Programme: | Arabsat-6G program |
| Next Mission: | Hellas Sat 4/SaudiGeoSat-1 [3] |
Arabsat-6A is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Arabsat.[4] The satellite was built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems on a modernized A2100 bus.[5] The satellite was successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center LC-39A aboard Falcon Heavy on April 11, 2019.[6] [7]
Arabsat-6A and SaudiGeoSat-1/HellasSat-4 are the two satellites of the Arabsat-6G program, ordered by the Arab League to supply the communications needs of member states.[8]
Contracts to build the two satellites were awarded to Lockheed Martin Space Systems in April 2015. Arabsat ultimately awarded the launch contract for Arabsat-6A to SpaceX for a Falcon Heavy flight with no expendable boosters.[9] The Falcon Heavy was chosen over the Falcon 9 due to its far superior thrust; the extra boost would extend the satellite's operational lifespan from 15 years to 18-20 years.[10]
Arabsat 6A is based on an updated version of the A2100 bus and is considered among the most advanced communications satellites built.[11] The spacecraft utilizes fixed and steerable Ku-band and Ka-band transponders to provide TV and radio services to the Middle East and North Africa from its station at 30.5°E.[12]
Arabsat-6A was launched aboard the first operational Falcon Heavy on 11 April 2019 at 22:35 UTC from Kennedy Space Center LC-39A. Following a successful launch, the twin side boosters separated from the center core and returned to land at Landing Zones 1 and 2, while the center core completed its mission and landed on Of Course I Still Love You. En route to port after a successful landing, the center core tipped over in the rough seas, and was destroyed. Approximately 34 minutes after launch, the Arabsat-6A was released from the second stage and began a 17-day process to reach its operational orbit.
On June 15, 2021, the 4-tonne second stage re-entered the Earth's atmosphere, its orbit having gradually decayed due to atmospheric drag, with an uncontrolled splash down in the Coral Sea east of Australia[13]