| Names list | GE-2i Worldsat-3 AMC-13 GE-23 Eutelsat-172A Eutelsat-174A |
|---|---|
| Operator | SES Americom (2005-2009) SES World Skies (2009-2011) SES S.A. (2011-2012) Eutelsat (2012-present) |
| Cospar id | 2005-052A |
| Satcat | 28924 |
| Mission duration | 16 years (planned) (elapsed) |
| Spacecraft | GE-23 [1] |
| Spacebus 4000 | GE-23 [1] |
| Spacecraft bus | Spacebus 4000C3 |
| Manufacturer | Alcatel Space |
| Launch mass | 4,981 kg (10,981 lb) |
| Launch date | 29 December 2005, 02:28:40 UTC |
| Launch rocket | Proton-M / Briz-M |
| Launch site | Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 81/24 |
| Launch contractor | Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center |
| Entered service | Mars 2006 |
| Orbit reference | Geocentric orbit |
| Orbit regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Orbit longitude | 186° West |
| Apsis | gee |
| Trans band | 38 (+10) transponders: 18 (+4) C-band 20 (+6) Ku-band |
| Trans coverage | Asia-Pacific, West Coast of the United States |
| Programme | SES constellation |
| Previous mission | AMC-21 |
AMC-23 (formerly GE-23) is an American geostationary communications satellite that was launched by a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle at 02:28:40 UTC on 29 December 2005. The 4,981 kg (10,981 lb) satellite to provide services to the Asia-Pacific, West Coast of the United States through separate beams to each region, after parking over the Pacific Ocean through its 18 (+4) C-band and 20 (+6) Ku-band transponders, over 186° West longitude.[2][3]
GE-2i/AMC-13/Worldsat-3/AMC-23
AMC-13 was originally ordered as GE-2i. In early 2004, AMC-13 was transferred to Worldsat LLC, a new subsidiary of SES Americom as Worldsat 3. The original AMC-13 was to feature 60 C-Band transponders, but when transferred to Worldsat, it was ordered to be changed to the hybrid C-/Ku-band payload with 18 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders. In early 2005, it was renamed AMC-23.[1][3]
GE-23
In 2007, the satellite was spun-off from SES Americom to GE-Satellite, when General Electric split off from SES. After this transaction, the satellite was renamed GE-23.[1]
Eutelsat-172A
Eutelsat has announced in June 2012 the acquisition of GE-23 satellite from GE-Satellite. The satellite is renamed to Eutelsat 172A and expands Eutelsat coverage to Asia-Pacific region and West Coast of United States of America. The satellite had at that time an estimated lifespan of 8.5 years.[1][3]
Eutelsat-174A
In 2017, after Eutelsat 172B had replaced it, Eutelsat 172A was moved to 174° East and renamed Eutelsat 174A.[1][3]
References
- ^ "AMC 23 → GE 23 → Eutelsat 172A → Eutelsat 174A". Gunter's Space Page. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ "Display: AMC 23 2005-052A". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ "Home - Satellites". Satbeams. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021.