SaudiGeoSat-1/HellasSat-4 explained

SaudiGeoSat 1/HellasSat 4
Names List:HellasSat 4, SaudiGeoSat 1, SaudiGeostationarySatellite 1, SGS-1/HS-4
Mission Type:Telecommunications
Operator:KACST, Hellas Sat
Cospar Id:2019-007A
Satcat:44034
Mission Duration:15 years (planned)
Spacecraft Bus:A2100
Manufacturer:Lockheed Martin
Launch Mass:6495 kg
Launch Date:5 February 2019
Launch Rocket:Ariane flight VA247
Launch Site:Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3
Launch Contractor:Arianespace
Orbit Reference:Geocentric orbit
Orbit Regime:Geosynchronous orbit
Orbit Longitude:39.0° East
Apsis:gee

SaudiGeoSat 1/HellasSat 4, also known as SaudiGeoSat 1/HellasSat 4 (abbreviated SGS-1/HS-4), is a Saudi and Greek geostationary communication satellite of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and HellasSat. It was built by Lockheed Martin and was launched on 5 February 2019 on board Ariane flight VA247.

The satellite will provide Telecommunications capabilities, including television, Internet, telephone and secure communications in the Middle East, South Africa and Europe. It is the 16th Saudi satellite launched into space[1] [2] and the 4th Greek and Cypriot satellite.

Manufacturing

SGS-1 satellite was developed, manufactured and tested by Lockheed Martin in collaboration with KACST where 11 Saudi engineers were trained and certified by Lockheed Martin.[3]

Launch and Specification

SGS-1/HS-4 was launched on an Ariane 5 operated by Arianespace from the Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana on Ariane flight VA247.[1]

The satellite weighted fully fuelled for launch, and it was placed into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). It will maintain a geosynchronous orbit at 39.0° East longitude.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ariane Flight VA247. Arianespace. 5 February 2019.
  2. https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2017-11-30-Lockheed-Martin-Completes-Hellas-Sat-4-SaudiGeoSat-1-Satellite-Assembly-and-Ships-to-Environmental-Testing Lockheed Martin Completes Hellas-Sat-4/SaudiGeoSat-1 Satellite Assembly and Ships to Environmental Testing
  3. Web site: Saudi Arabia to launch 16th satellite into space. 5 February 2019. Arab News. 5 February 2019.
  4. Web site: Live coverage: Ariane 5 set to launch satellites for Saudi Arabia and India. Spaceflight Now. Clark. Stephen . 5 February 2019.