Eutelsat 172B is a French communications satellite built by Airbus Defence and Space and operated by Eutelsat Communications. Launched on June 1, 2017, it has an expected service life of 15 years. Its orbit along with Eutelsat 172A allows it to cover the Asia-Pacific region, providing enhanced broadband and broadcast services.
| Mission type | Communications |
|---|---|
| Operator | Eutelsat |
| COSPAR ID | 2017-029B[1] |
| SATCAT no. | 42741[1] |
| Website | Eutelsat 172B |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 7 years, 4 months and 26 days (elapsed)[2] |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | Eurostar-3000 EOR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Defence and Space |
| Launch mass | 3,551 kg (7,829 lb) |
| Power | 13kW[3] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | June 1, 2017 |
| Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA |
| Launch site | Guiana Space Centre |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 172° E |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 14 C band transponders 36 Ku band transponders Ku band[2] |
| Coverage area | Asia-Pacific |
Design
editEutelsat 172B's satellite bus is the Eurostar E3000. It has a launch mass of 3,551 kg (7,829 lb) and has two deployable solar panels.[2][3][4] The satellite also uses the Fakel SPT140D electric propulsion thrusters for initial orbit raising and later orbit station-keeping. It took four months to go to desired altitude, however, it consumed six times less propellant than if using chemical propellant.[3][4][5] The satellite has fourteen C band, thirty-six regular Ku band transponders, and a high-throughput Ku band.[2][6]
Launch
editEutelsat 172B launched from Guiana Space Centre on June 1, 2017, at 23:45 UTC, on board an Ariane 5 ECA rocket along with ViaSat-2.[7] After launch, Eutelsat 172B used its propulsion system to raise itself into a geostationary orbit over a period of four months. It was placed at a longitude of 172° E, hence its name. Its longitude allows it to serve users in the Asia-Pacific region.[1][3][4]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Satbeams - World Of Satellites at your fingertips". Satbeams Web and Mobile. Archived from the original on 2021-12-05. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ a b c d "Eutelsat 172B". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ a b c d "Airbus-built full electric EUTELSAT 172B satellite reaches geostationary orbit in record time | Airbus". www.airbus.com. 28 October 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ a b c "Eutelsat 172B Communication Satellite - Aerospace Technology". www.aerospace-technology.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ "Eutelsat 172B - eoPortal Directory - Satellite Missions". directory.eoportal.org. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ "EUTELSAT 172B | Eutelsat Satellites | Eutelsat". Archived from the original on 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ "Flight VA237: On mission that boosts global connectivity for ViaSat and Eutelsat, the 79th successful launch by Arianespace's Ariane 5 sets a new performance record and orbits its first all-electric satellite". Arianespace. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2021-12-11.