Engineering:Eutelsat 172B

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Short description: Communications satellite
Eutelsat 172B
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorEutelsat
COSPAR ID2017-029B[1]
SATCAT no.42741[1]
WebsiteEutelsat 172B
Mission duration15 years (planned)
7 years, 1 month and 17 days (elapsed)[2]
Spacecraft properties
BusEurostar-3000 EOR
ManufacturerAirbus Defence and Space
Launch mass3,551 kg (7,829 lb)
Power13kW[3]
Start of mission
Launch dateJune 1, 2017 (2017-06-01)
RocketAriane 5 ECA
Launch siteGuiana Space Centre
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude172° E
Transponders
Band14 C band transponders
36 Ku band transponders
Ku band[2]
Coverage areaAsia-Pacific
 

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.

Design

Eutelsat 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

Eutelsat 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