Intelsat 5 Explained

Intelsat 5
Names List:PAS-5
IS-5
Arabsat 2C
Badr-C
Mission Type:Communications
Operator:PanAmSat / Intelsat
Cospar Id:1997-046A
Satcat:24916
Website:http://www.intelsat.com
Mission Duration:15 years (planned)
15 years (achieved)
Spacecraft Type:Boeing 601
Spacecraft Bus:HS-601HP
Manufacturer:Hughes Space and Communications
Power:10 kW
Launch Date:28 August 1997, 00:33:30 UTC
Launch Rocket:Proton-K / Blok DM-2M
Launch Site:Baikonur, Site 81/23
Launch Contractor:Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Entered Service:October 1997
Disposal Type:Graveyard orbit
Deactivated:19 October 2012
Orbit Reference:Geocentric orbit
Orbit Regime:Geostationary orbit
Orbit Longitude:58° West (1997–2002)
26° East (2002–2007)
169° East (2007–2012)
Apsis:gee
Trans Band:56 transponder:
28 C-band
28 Ku-band
Trans Coverage:Americas - Europe (1997–2002), Middle East - Africa (2002–2007), Asia-Pacific (2007–2012)
Programme:PanAmSat constellation
Previous Mission:PAS-6
Next Mission:PAS-7

Intelsat 5 (IS-5, PAS-5, Arabsat 2C) was a satellite providing television and communication services for Intelsat, which it was commissioned by in 2006.[1]

Satellite description

It was manufactured by Hughes Space and Communications. At beginning of life, it generates nearly 10 kilowatts. This version takes advantage of such advances as dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells, new battery technology and the first commercial use of a high-efficiency xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS).

PanAmSat became HSC's first customer to launch the new model, on 28 August 1997, at 00:33:30 UTC, on a Russian Proton-K / Blok DM-2M launch vehicle from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.[2] PAS-5 provides satellite services in the Americas, with access to Europe, including direct-to-home (DTH) television services in Mexico.

Controllers began noticing degradation of the nickel–hydrogen battery in PAS-5 earlier in 1998. The effect on operations was analyzed in June 1998. During periods of peak solar eclipse, which occur twice a year, PanAmSat is required to shut off a portion of the satellite's payload for some time. PanAmSat reportedly received a compensation of US$185 million from its insurers after the satellite was declared a "total loss" because its capacity was reduced by more than 50%.[1]

Arabsat 2C

PAS 5 was leased in May 2002 to the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat), under the name of Arabsat 2C. Arabsat used the spacecraft's C-band transponders to complement its partially defunct Arabsat 3A at 26° East.

The television channels it broadcasts include BBC World News, Australia Network and regular feeds of Entertainment Tonight and The Wall Street Journal Report. As of 28 September 2012, BBC World News was replaced with a static video slate advising that the service would be only available on the existing horizontally aligned lower powered Pacific beam on Intelsat 19 which is 3.94 GHz.

Intelsat 5

Intelsat 5 was moved at 169° East and has been broadcasting Australia Network Pacific on the horizontally aligned Pacific Beam 4.1 GHz when went silent and was sent to a higher "graveyard orbit" on 19 October 2012 around 23:00 UTC.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PAS 5 → Arabsat 2C → Badr C (Intelsat 5). Gunter's Space Page. 11 December 2017. 14 April 2021.
  2. Web site: Proton Successfully Launches PanAmSat-5 Satellite. ilslaunch.com. August 28, 1997. 1 March 2023.