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]

Eutelsat 117 West A
NamesSatmex 8 (2013–2014)
Eutelsat 117 West A (2014–present)
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorSatmex (2013–2014)
Eutelsat (2014–present)
COSPAR ID2013-012A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.39122
Mission duration15 years[1]
Spacecraft properties
BusLS-1300[1]
ManufacturerSpace Systems/Loral
Launch mass5,500 kilograms (12,100 lb)[2]
Start of mission
Launch date26 March 2013, 19:06:48 (2013-03-26UTC19:06:48Z) UTC[3]
RocketProton-M/Briz-M
Launch siteBaikonur 200/39[2]
ContractorILS
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude116.78° West
Perigee altitude35,785 kilometres (22,236 mi)
Apogee altitude35,800 kilometres (22,200 mi)
Inclination0.02 degrees
Period23.93 hours
Epoch27 May 2014, 10:01:52 UTC[4]
Transponders
Band24 C-band
40 Ku-band

Specifications

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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

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  1. ^ a b c "Satmex 8". Gunter's Space Page. March 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
  2. ^ a b c Press release - Satmex 8 Archived 2013-02-16 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  4. ^ "SATMEX 8 Satellite details 2013-012A NORAD 39122". N2YO. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Satmex 8". SSL. 28 March 2013. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
  6. ^ Stephen Clark (27 March 2013). "Proton successful in return-to-flight launch of Satmex 8". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
  7. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "SATMEX 8 → Eutelsat 117 West A". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 27 May 2014.