AMC-11
AMC-11 , previously GE-11, is a Dutch, previously American geostationary communications satellite which is operated by SES World Skies. It is currently positioned in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 131 degrees West, from where it is used to relay cable television across North America for onward distribution.[2] It broadcasts to Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and the United States.[3]
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | SES Americom (2004–2009) SES World Skies (2009—2011) SES S.A. (2011-) |
| COSPAR ID | 2004-017A |
| SATCAT no. | 28252 |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | A2100A |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Launch mass | 2,340 kilograms (5,160 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 19 May 2004, 22:22 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas IIAS |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral SLC-36B |
| Contractor | ILS |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 131° West |
| Perigee altitude | 35,774 kilometres (22,229 mi)[1] |
| Apogee altitude | 35,797 kilometres (22,243 mi)[1] |
| Inclination | 0 degrees |
| Period | 24 hours minutes |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 24 G/H band (IEEE C band) |
AMC-11 was built by Lockheed Martin, and is based on the A2100A satellite bus. It was originally ordered by GE Americom as GE-11, however following the merger of GE Americom and SES, it was redesignated AMC-11 while still under construction. It is equipped with 24 transponders operating in the G and H bands of the NATO frequency spectrum, or the C band of the IEEE spectrum.[3] At launch it had a mass of 2,340 kilograms (5,160 lb), with an expected operational lifespan of around fifteen years.[1][4]
The launch of AMC-11, which was conducted by International Launch Services, was the penultimate flight and last commercial launch of the Atlas II carrier rocket, which flew in the Atlas IIAS configuration. The launch occurred from Space Launch Complex 36B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, at 22:22 GMT on 19 May 2004.[5] The launch successfully placed AMC-11 into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, from which it raised itself to geostationary orbit by means of a LEROS-1C apogee motor.[4] Its insertion into geosynchronous orbit occurred at 20:00 on 24 May 2004.[6]
In late May and early June 2010, the Galaxy 15 satellite, which had failed with its transponders still broadcasting, passed close to AMC-11. Since Galaxy 15 broadcast on similar frequencies to AMC-11, interference from its transponders could have affected signals originating from AMC-11.[7] As a result, AMC-11 was manoeuvred out of the way of Galaxy 15, and the SES-1 satellite was brought in to provide backup in case AMC-11 could not continue broadcasting. Galaxy 15 passed within 0.2 degrees of AMC-11, however no service interruptions occurred.[8]
See also
References
- "UCS Satellite Database". Union of Concerned Scientists. 1 April 2010. Archived from the original on 8 May 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- "AMC-11 - Home to HD PRIME – America's Cable Neighborhood". SES World Skies. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- "AMC-11 Data". SES World Skies. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- Krebs, Gunter. "GE 7, 8 / AMC 7, 8, 10, 11, 18 (Aurora 3)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 7 June 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- McDowell, Jonathan. "Index". Geostationary Orbit Catalog. Jonathan's Space Page. Archived from the original on 6 April 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- de Selding, Peter B (30 April 2010). "Galaxy 15, Still Adrift, Poses Threat to Its Orbital Neighbors". Space News. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
- de Selding, Peter B (3 June 2010). "Intelsat, SES Safely Negotiate Passage of Wayward Craft". Space News. Archived from the original on 7 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.