Paksat-MM1 (formerly known as AsiaSat 4) was a leased communications satellite operated by SUPARCO, Pakistan's space agency. It was provided by Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company (AsiaSat), a Hong Kong–based satellite operator.[1]
| Names | AsiaSat 4 Paksat-MM1 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | AsiaSat (2003–2017) PAKSAT (2018–2023) |
| COSPAR ID | 2003-014A |
| SATCAT no. | 27718 |
| Website | https://www.asiasat.com |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 21 years and 7 months |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | AsiaSat 4 |
| Spacecraft type | Boeing 601 |
| Bus | HS-601HP |
| Manufacturer | Hughes Space and Communications |
| Launch mass | 4,137 kg (9,121 lb) |
| Dry mass | 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) |
| Dimensions | 3.4 m x 3.5 m x 5.8 m Span: 26.2 m on orbit |
| Power | 9.6 kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 12 April 2003, 00:47:01 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas 3B SEC (AC-205) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, SLC-36B |
| Contractor | Lockheed Martin |
| Entered service | June 2003 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 122° East (2003–2017) 38° East (2018–present) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 48 transponders: 28 C-band 20 Ku-band |
| Coverage area | Asia, Pacific Ocean |
Initially stationed at 122° East longitude, Paksat-MM1 was later relocated to 38.2° East to better serve Pakistan and the surrounding region. During most of its operational life at 122° East, it provided fixed satellite services, including broadcasting, audio, and data transmission, to Asia and the Pacific Ocean.[2]
Satellite description
editAsiaSat 4 was built by Hughes Space and Communications, for US$220 million, which by the time of its launch had become part of Boeing Satellite Systems. It is based on the HS-601HP satellite bus. At launch, it had a mass of 4,137 kg (9,121 lb),[2] and a design life of fifteen years. It carries twenty eight C-band and twenty Ku-band transponders.[2] It was planned for late 1999, but was delayed because of the Asian crisis. Construction started in September 2000.[3]
Launch
editAsiaSat 4 was launched by an Atlas 3B SEC launch vehicle with the Centaur upper stage from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (SLC-36B) at 00:47:01 UTC on 12 April 2003.[4]
AsiaSat 4 was insured for launch and first year in orbit. The AsiaSat 4 was replaced by AsiaSat 9 in 2017.[5]
Life as Paksat-MM1
editIn February 2018 it was leased by PakSat International, a subsidiary of SUPARCO (Pakistan's space agency), from the Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company (AsiaSat) . Previously positioned at 122° East longitude, it was relocated to 38.2° East to serve Pakistan's needs. Paksat renamed it Paksat-MM1 (Paksat-Multi Mission 1) and began operations in March 2018.[2]
After the lease expired, the satellite was returned to China and relocated to 147.5° East. As of 29 August 2024 (according to flysat.com), it is no longer operational and has been replaced by PakSat-MM1R, a new satellite launched on 30 May 2024.[6]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "AsiaSat 4" (PDF). AsiaSat. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d Krebs, Gunter (24 March 2018). "AsiaSat 4". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ "AsiaSat 4". The Satellite Encyclopedia. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan (14 March 2021). "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ "AsiaSat 9". AsiaSat. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
- ^ "PakSat MM1 reaches its earth orbit". Retrieved 8 June 2024.