Eutelsat W3A

Spacecraft n°:

EUTELSAT spacecraft n°: 29

Also called Eutelsat 3F3A

Launch data:

Tested at 1.7°E. Entered service in mid-May 2004.

W3A will incorporate operational flexibility as well as multiple regional coverages for intra-regional networks or regional connectivity. It will accommodate standard DVB and IP-type services including Open-Sky, Eutelsat's open standard service platform for streamed video (MPEG4) and audio (MP3) content, high-speed Internet and file delivery. The satellite will also offer broadband access, and pay-per-use bandwidth for corporate networks.
Eutelsat W3A, is the most powerful satellite ordered to date by the Paris-based satellite communications company Eutelsat. It will provide a full range of telecommunications applications including digital DVB broadcasting, multimedia, broadband access and pay-per-use bandwidth for corporate networks over a large zone covering Europe and Africa, for a minimum of 12 years. The payload will allow enhanced operational flexibility as compared to previous generations of communications satellites well as multiple regional coverages for or regional or intra-regional connectivity. With 40 transponders and a frequency plan supporting up to 58 channels, W3A is almost doubling the capacity available at 7 degrees East.
With Ku- and Ka-band, the satellite offers 58 channels.
Carries lithium-ion batteries, first use for a GEO satellite. Manufactured by Saft.
Beacons: 11.699800 or 11.700400 + 12.500500 + 11.200 + 21.404 GHz

The 200-foot tall booster departed its launch pad at 2306 GMT (6:06 p.m. EST), streaking into the predawn sky at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.
After a nine-hour flight that featured five firings by the Breeze M upper stage, the W3A satellite cargo was successfully deployed into the intended orbit for Paris-headquartered operator Eutelsat.
The Briz-M first burn put the spacecraft in a 185 x 185 km x 51.6 deg orbit; the second burn finished at 0030 UTC on Mar 16 in a 250 x 5000 km x 50.3 deg orbit, and the third burn ended at 0246 UTC in a 302 x 15585 km x 49.5 deg orbit. At this point the Briz torus tank was ejected. A fourth burn at 0252 UTC raised the orbit to 380 x 35814 km x 49.1 deg, and a fifth burn at 0805 UTC raised perigee and lowered inclination to 3575 x 35709 km x 12.3 deg. The Briz stage then separated, and Eutelsat W3A began using its own propulsion to raise its orbit towards geostationary.

Main transponders	40
Backup transponders
Power
Bandwidth	36, 54, 72 and 108 MHz
Coverage	Europe A (equivalent to the W3 coverage) Europe B (Turkey + ME) Europe C (uplink only) Sub-saharian Africa
EIRP max	Europe A: 48 dBW Europe B: 51 dBW Europe C: 52 dBW Africa: 45 dBW
G/Tmax	Europe A: +5 dB/K Europe C: +6 dB/K Africa: -1 dB/K
Polarization	H/V cross-pol
Frequencies	Uplink: 13.00-13.25, 13.75-14.50, 18.10-18.40 GHz Downlink: 10.70-11.70, 12.50-12.75 GHz

Will have 5 skyplex units. Will extend the opensky platform launched in 2001.

All transponders 36 MHz. Skyplex usable on transponders A9, A10, A11, A12.

All transponders 36 MHz.

All transponders 72 MHz. Skyplex possible on transponder B5.

All these transponders are 36 MHz except D10.

All transponders 72 MHz. Skyplex possible on transponder G3.

All transponders 36 MHz.

All transponders 108 MHz.

Ref.: #3(SD381,383), #7(JR522), #12, #14, #15 - update: 25.12.12