AMOS-3 (satellite)

For chapter 3 of the Book of Amos, see Amos 3.

AMOS-3 / AMOS-60
NamesAffordable Modular Optimized Satellite-3
AMOS-60
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorSpacecom Satellite Communications
COSPAR ID2008-022A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.32794
Websitehttps://www.amos-spacecom.com/
Mission duration18 years (planned)
16 years, 8 months and 5 days (in progress)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftAMOS-3
Spacecraft typeAMOS
BusAMOS Bus
ManufacturerIsrael Aerospace Industries (bus)
Thales Alenia Space (payload)
Launch mass1,263 kg (2,784 lb)
Dry mass837 kg (1,845 lb)
Power1700 watts
Start of mission
Launch date28 April 2008, 05:00:00 UTC
RocketZenit-3SLB (# 1)
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 45/1
ContractorYuzhmash
Entered serviceJune 2008
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude4° West
Transponders
Band14 transponders:
12 Ku-band
2 Ka-band
Coverage areaEastern United States, Europe, Africa, Israel, Middle East
← AMOS-2
AMOS-5i →

AMOS-3, also known as AMOS-60, is an Israeli communications satellite operated by Spacecom Satellite Communications.

History

Spacecom Satellite Communications has signed an agreement in September 2005 with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to buy its third satellite, AMOS-3, from the Israeli defense contractor.

Satellite description

The satellite is powered by twin solar panels, and is based on the Israeli AMOS Bus. It replaced AMOS-1 in geosynchronous orbit at 4° West. AMOS-3 carries fourteen Ku-band / Ka-band transponders, and is expected to have an on-orbit lifetime of 18 years.

Launch

It was launched atop the maiden flight of the Zenit-3SLB launch vehicle, the first launch contracted by the Land Launch organisation. The launch was originally scheduled to occur in 2007, and later March 2008, however this was delayed until 24 April 2008. The launch attempt on 24 April 2008 was scrubbed for "technical reasons".[1] This was later determined to be a problem with the erector/transporter system, which had failed to retract and move away from the launch vehicle. AMOS-3 lifted-off from Site 45/1 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 05:00:00 UTC on 28 April 2008.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tracking Station". Spaceflight Now. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2008.
  2. ^ "Haaretz.com; Video shows how AMOS-3 communications satellite was sent into orbit". Archived from the original on 1 May 2008. Retrieved 28 April 2008.