Arabsat-6A
Launch of Arabsat-6A on Falcon Heavy | |
| Mission type | Communications satellite |
|---|---|
| Operator | King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology |
| COSPAR ID | 2019-021A |
| SATCAT no. | 44186 |
| Mission duration | 5 years, 7 months and 10 days (elapsed) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Telecomm |
| Bus | A2100 |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Launch mass | 6,465 kg [1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | April 11, 2019, 22:35 UTC |
| Rocket | Falcon Heavy |
| Launch site | Kennedy LC-39A |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric[1] |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 30.5° E[2] |
Arabsat-6G program | |
Arabsat-6A is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Arabsat.[4] The satellite was built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems on a modernized A2100 bus.[5] The satellite was successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center LC-39A aboard Falcon Heavy on April 11, 2019.[6][7]
History
[edit]Arabsat-6A and SaudiGeoSat-1/HellasSat-4 are the two satellites of the Arabsat-6G program, ordered by the Arab League to supply the communications needs of member states.[8]
Contracts to build the two satellites were awarded to Lockheed Martin Space Systems in April 2015. Arabsat ultimately awarded the launch contract for Arabsat-6A to SpaceX for a Falcon Heavy flight with no expendable boosters.[9] The Falcon Heavy was chosen over the Falcon 9 due to its far superior thrust; the extra boost would extend the satellite's operational lifespan from 15 years to 18-20 years.[10]
Spacecraft
[edit]Arabsat 6A is based on an updated version of the A2100 bus and is considered among the most advanced communications satellites built.[11] The spacecraft utilizes fixed and steerable Ku-band and Ka-band transponders to provide TV and radio services to the Middle East and North Africa from its station at 30.5°E.[12]
Launch
[edit]Arabsat-6A was launched aboard the first operational Falcon Heavy on 11 April 2019 at 22:35 UTC from Kennedy Space Center LC-39A.[6] Following a successful launch, the twin side boosters separated from the center core and returned to land at Landing Zones 1 and 2, while the center core completed its mission and landed on Of Course I Still Love You. En route to port after a successful landing, the center core tipped over in the rough seas, and was destroyed. Approximately 34 minutes after launch, the Arabsat-6A was released from the second stage and began a 17-day process to reach its operational orbit.[12]
On June 15, 2021, the 4-tonne second stage re-entered the Earth's atmosphere, its orbit having gradually decayed due to atmospheric drag, with an uncontrolled splash down in the Coral Sea east of Australia[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Arabsat-6A. Gunter Dirk Krebs, Gunter's Space Page. Accessed: 17 October 2018.
- ^ Arabsat and KACST sign contracts with Lockheed Martin & Arianespace. Arabsat. News Release 1 January 2015.
- ^ Lockheed Martin Completes Assembly on Arabsat's Newest Communications Satellite. Lockheed Martin. 20 February 2018.
- ^ "Upcoming Satellites". Retrieved 6 February 2018.
- ^ "SpaceX Delays Falcon Heavy's First Commercial Launch of ArabSat-6A to 10 April". The First Post. April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
- ^ a b Skoneki, Marco Santana, Mark. "SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy into space". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Arabsat-6A Mission". YouTube.com. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
- ^ "HOME - Arabsat". www.arabsat.com. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "Arabsat 6A". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
- ^ Caleb, Henry (11 April 2019). "Arabsat CEO: Falcon Heavy gives our satellite extra life – SpaceNews". Retrieved 2021-05-09.
- ^ Arabsat-6A Satellite Moves Closer to Launch. Kendall Russell, Satellite Today. 22 February 2018.
- ^ a b Clark, Stephen. "SpaceX's Falcon Heavy successful in commercial debut – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 2020-06-06.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Jonathan McDowelll on Twitter". Twitter. Twitter Ltd. Retrieved 15 June 2021.