GE-3 --> AMC-3

USA

Renamed: AMC-3 (Americom 3)

Launch data:

Designation:	24936 / 97050A
Launch date	04 Sep 1997
Launch site	CC, LC-36A
Launch vehicle	Atlas-2AS (AC-146 #109)
Mission	Commercial: Communications
Geostationary orbit:
Perigee / Apogee	35777 x 35795 km
Eccentricity	2,13E-04
Inclination	0.02 deg
Period	1436.08 min

Spacecraft data:

Prime contractor	Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems
Platform
Operator	SES Americom
Mass at launch	2845 kg
Dry Mass	1600 kg
Basic shape
Dimension (m)
Solar array
Stabilization
DC power	6500 (EOL)
Design lifetime	15 yrs

Location:

Begin	Position	Remarks
April 2009	86.96° W

Mission:

Broadcasting, business, cable; CONUS, Hawaii, Caribbean, southern Canada; 24 Ku- and 24 C-band
Spacenet 3R replacement. Tested at 83°W. Went operational on 1 Oct 1997

Worth $100 million FCC has authorized GE Americom to change the satellite's location . New location would be 72°W.

On 12 Mar 1999 at 9:02 UT the satellite lost attitude control because of a gyroscope failure. The service was restored at 14:49 UT.

Royal Ordnance Leros apogee engine

Ref: #15, #226 - update: 24.08.09