Engineering:PAS-3

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Short description: Communications satellite
PAS-3
NamesPanAmSat-3
Panamsat K2
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorPanAmSat
Mission duration15 years (planned)
Failed to orbit
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeBoeing 601
BusHS-601
ManufacturerHughes
Launch mass2,920 kg (6,440 lb)
Dry mass1,727 kg (3,807 lb)
Power4.3 kW
Start of mission
Launch date1 December 1994, 22:57:51 UTC
RocketAriane 42P H10-3 (V70)
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
Entered serviceFailed to orbit
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit (planned)
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Transponders
Band40 transponders:
20 C band
20 Ku-band
Coverage areaAtlantic Ocean Region
PanAmSat constellation
← PAS-2
PAS-4 →
 

PAS-3, was a communications satellite for PanAmSat. Launched in December 1994.[1]

Satellite description

PAS-3 was constructed by Hughes Aircraft Corporation, based on the HS-601 satellite bus. It had a mass at launch of 2,920 kg (6,440 lb), which decreased to around 1,727 kg (3,807 lb) by the time it was operational. Designed for an operational life of 15 years, the spacecraft was equipped with 20 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders.[1] Its two solar panels, which had a span of 26 m (85 ft) generated 4.7 kW of power when the spacecraft first entered service, which was expected to drop to around 4.3 kW by the end of the vehicle's operational life.

Launch

Arianespace launched PAS-3, using an Ariane 4 launch vehicle, flight number V70, in the Ariane 42P H10-3 configuration. The launch took place from ELA-2 at the Centre Spatial Guyanais, at Kourou in French Guiana, at 23:05:32 UTC on 8 July 1994.[1] Failed to orbit.

References