Intelsat 39

Intelsat 39 is a geostationary satellite operated by Intelsat, a leading provider of satellite communications services, including broadband connectivity, video distribution, and mobile connectivity. The satellite was built by Space Systems/Loral (SSL), a subsidiary of Maxar Technologies, and is based on the SSL 1300 platform, which has been used for numerous communications satellites, including Intelsat 36 and Intelsat 37e. Intelsat 39 was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, which is also used for launches of other European Space Agency (ESA) missions, such as Galileo (satellite navigation), and provides services to various telecommunications companies, including Orange S.A. and Deutsche Telekom.

Introduction

Intelsat 39 is part of the Intelsat EpicNG series, a next-generation satellite platform designed to provide high-throughput satellite communications services, including broadband connectivity and video distribution, to various regions, including Asia, Africa, and Europe. The satellite is equipped with C-band and Ku-band transponders, which provide services to various telecommunications companies, including Vodafone Group and Telefónica. Intelsat 39 is designed to replace the Intelsat 902 satellite, which was launched in 2001 and has been providing services to various broadcasting and telecommunications companies, including BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera. The satellite's services are also used by various government agencies, including the United States Department of Defense and the European Union's European Commission.

Spacecraft Characteristics

The Intelsat 39 spacecraft is based on the SSL 1300 platform, which has been used for numerous communications satellites, including Intelsat 36 and Intelsat 37e. The satellite has a mass of approximately 6,600 kilograms (14,500 pounds) and is equipped with two solar arrays, which provide power to the satellite's systems, including the transponders and the propulsion system. The satellite's propulsion system is based on the XIPS-25 ion thruster, which is used for station-keeping and orbit-raising maneuvers, and is also used on other communications satellites, including Boeing 702 and Spacebus 4000. The satellite's thermal control system is designed to maintain a stable temperature, which is essential for the satellite's electronics and transponders, and is similar to those used on other satellites, including Hubble Space Telescope and International Space Station.

Launch and Orbit

Intelsat 39 was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana on August 6, 2019, at 19:30:00 UTC, which is also used for launches of other European Space Agency (ESA) missions, such as Galileo (satellite navigation). The launch was conducted by Arianespace, a leading provider of launch services, which has also launched other Intelsat satellites, including Intelsat 29e and Intelsat 33e. The satellite was placed into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and then raised to its final geostationary orbit using its ion thruster propulsion system, which is similar to those used on other communications satellites, including Inmarsat-5 and O3b Networks. The satellite is located at 68.5° E longitude, which provides coverage of various regions, including Asia, Africa, and Europe, and is also used by other satellites, including Eutelsat 70B and Arabsat-5A.

Mission and Operations

The primary mission of Intelsat 39 is to provide high-throughput satellite communications services, including broadband connectivity and video distribution, to various regions, including Asia, Africa, and Europe. The satellite is equipped with C-band and Ku-band transponders, which provide services to various telecommunications companies, including Vodafone Group and Telefónica. The satellite's services are also used by various broadcasting companies, including BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera, and by various government agencies, including the United States Department of Defense and the European Union's European Commission. Intelsat 39 is operated by Intelsat, which has a fleet of over 50 communications satellites in orbit, including Intelsat 36 and Intelsat 37e, and provides services to various telecommunications companies, including Orange S.A. and Deutsche Telekom.

Specifications

The Intelsat 39 satellite has a number of key specifications, including a mass of approximately 6,600 kilograms (14,500 pounds) and a payload power of 12 kW. The satellite is equipped with 128 transponders, including 88 C-band transponders and 40 Ku-band transponders, which provide services to various telecommunications companies, including Vodafone Group and Telefónica. The satellite's antenna system includes a number of reflector antennas, which provide high-gain beamforming capabilities, and is similar to those used on other communications satellites, including Inmarsat-5 and O3b Networks. The satellite's propulsion system is based on the XIPS-25 ion thruster, which is used for station-keeping and orbit-raising maneuvers, and is also used on other communications satellites, including Boeing 702 and Spacebus 4000. The satellite has a design life of 15 years and is expected to provide high-throughput satellite communications services to various regions, including Asia, Africa, and Europe, for many years to come, and will be used by various telecommunications companies, including Orange S.A. and Deutsche Telekom.

Category:Communications satellites