Intelsat 12

Intelsat 12 is a communications satellite operated by Intelsat, a leading provider of satellite communications services, including television broadcasting, broadband internet, and mobile network connectivity, in partnership with companies like Vodafone, Orange, and Deutsche Telekom. The satellite was launched on 29 September 2005, from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, using an Ariane 5GS launch vehicle provided by Arianespace, a company founded by European Space Agency and CNES. Intelsat 12 is part of the Intelsat fleet, which includes satellites like Intelsat 11, Intelsat 15, and Intelsat 20, and provides services to customers such as BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera. The satellite's operations are supported by ground stations like Palo Alto, Fuchsstadt, and Mount Jackson, which are connected to major teleports like Teleport Washington and Globecast.

Introduction

Intelsat 12 was built by ISRO, the Indian Space Research Organisation, under a contract with Intelsat, and is based on the I-3K satellite bus, which has also been used for other satellites like Insat 3A and Insat 4A. The satellite's design and construction involved collaboration with companies like Thales Alenia Space, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing, and its launch was insured by companies like Allianz and Lloyd's of London. Intelsat 12 is equipped with C-band and Ku-band transponders, which provide services to customers in regions like Europe, Asia, and Africa, including countries like Germany, France, China, and South Africa. The satellite's operations are monitored and controlled by Intelsat's network operations center in Palo Alto, which is connected to other centers like London, Tokyo, and Sydney.

Spacecraft Characteristics

Intelsat 12 has a mass of approximately 5,600 kilograms, and is equipped with two solar arrays, which provide power to the satellite's systems, including its transponders, antennas, and propulsion system. The satellite's propulsion system, which includes an apogee kick motor and a set of ion thrusters, was provided by companies like Snecma and Aerojet, and its power system includes batteries and power conditioning units from companies like Saft and Thales. Intelsat 12's structure is based on a central cylinder, which supports the satellite's payload and service modules, and its thermal control system includes radiators and insulation from companies like Ball Aerospace and Northrop Grumman. The satellite's communication systems include transceivers and antennas from companies like Hughes and General Dynamics, and its navigation system includes a star tracker and a gyroscope from companies like Ball Aerospace and Honeywell.

Launch and Orbit

Intelsat 12 was launched on 29 September 2005, at 23:51 UTC, from the ELA-3 launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. The launch vehicle, an Ariane 5GS, was provided by Arianespace, and the launch was monitored by teams from Intelsat, ISRO, and Arianespace, including experts from CNES and European Space Agency. After launch, Intelsat 12 was placed into a geostationary transfer orbit, from which it used its apogee kick motor to reach its final geostationary orbit at 45 degrees east longitude, where it is co-located with other satellites like Intelsat 10-02 and Eutelsat 36B. The satellite's orbit is maintained by its ion thrusters, which are used to perform station-keeping maneuvers, and its position is monitored by ground stations like Palo Alto and Fuchsstadt.

Payload and Services

Intelsat 12 is equipped with 30 C-band transponders and 12 Ku-band transponders, which provide services to customers in regions like Europe, Asia, and Africa. The satellite's C-band transponders are used for services like television broadcasting and broadband internet, while its Ku-band transponders are used for services like mobile network connectivity and data transmission. Intelsat 12's payload includes antennas and transceivers from companies like Hughes and General Dynamics, and its services are supported by ground stations like Teleport Washington and Globecast. The satellite's customers include companies like BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera, as well as governments like United States government and European Union.

Operations and Status

Intelsat 12 is operated by Intelsat, which provides services to customers in regions like Europe, Asia, and Africa. The satellite's operations are monitored and controlled by Intelsat's network operations center in Palo Alto, which is connected to other centers like London, Tokyo, and Sydney. Intelsat 12's status is regularly updated by Intelsat, and the satellite is subject to routine maintenance and station-keeping maneuvers to maintain its position and performance. The satellite's operations are also supported by companies like SES, Eutelsat, and Telesat, which provide services like launch services and ground support. Intelsat 12 is expected to remain in operation until the end of its design life, at which point it will be replaced by a new satellite, such as Intelsat 39 or Intelsat 40e.

Category:Communications satellites