Renamed: Star One C12 - Also called: NSS-10, Astra 4A, Worldsat 2
Launch data:
Designation
28526 / 05003A
Launch date
03 Feb 2005 - 02:27 UT
Launch site
B, LC81/24
Launch vehicle
Proton-M/Briz-M
Mission
Commercial: Communication
Geostationary orbit on 15 Feb - 03:21 UT:
Perigee / Apogee
35725 x 35851 km
Eccentricity
2.02E-04
Inclination
0.03°
Period
1436.17 min
Launched by ILS / Russia
Spacecraft data:
Prime contractor
Alcatel Space Industries / Fr
Operator
SES Americom --> SES New Skies
Platform
Alcatel Spacebus-4000C3
Mass at launch
4974 kg (5396 kg?)
Dry Mass
kg
Basic shape
Box + 2 panels
Dimension
Equipment
72 C-band transponders;
Stabilization
Propulsion
S400
Design lifetime
16 years
Location:
Begin
Position
Remarks
292°E
April 2009
37.37° W
Satellite initially located over 292°E, but to be operated over 322.5°E
Mission details:
This series of satellites based on the new generation Spacebus-4000C3
platform has been originally ordered by GE-Americom as GE 1i, 2i, 3i, 4i and 2E.
They were renamed to AMC after SES took over Americom and some were cancelled in
this process.
AMC 12 features 72 C-Band transponders; it will provide digital TV,
telecommunications, data and video transmissions, connecting over the Atlantic
Ocean North and South America, Europe and Africa.
AMC 12 was originally ordered as GE 1i, and AMC 22 was originally GE 3i, but
this one was cancelled.
In early 2004, AMC 12 was transfered to Worldsat LLC, a new subsidiary of SES
Americom as Worldsat 2. In early 2005 few weeks before launch, it was renamed
AMC 12 again.
24 transponders on AMC 12 have been contracted by SES ASTRA which will market
this capacity in Africa under the name Astra 4A. 18 transponders will be
operated by Star One as Star One C12.
In March 2007, the satellite was transferred to SES New Skies and named NSS 10.