Intelsat 902

Intelsat 902 is a geostationary 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 June 30, 2001, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan using a Proton-K rocket provided by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. Intelsat 902 is part of the Intelsat 9 series, which includes Intelsat 901, Intelsat 902, Intelsat 903, Intelsat 904, and Intelsat 905, all built by Thales Alenia Space and launched by International Launch Services.

Introduction

The Intelsat 902 satellite is a significant component of the Intelsat fleet, providing telecommunications services to various regions, including Europe, Africa, and Asia, in collaboration with major telecommunications companies like BT Group, Telefónica, and Telia Company. The satellite's launch was a major milestone for Intelsat, as it marked the beginning of a new era in satellite communications with enhanced capabilities and services, including high-definition television broadcasting and broadband internet access, supported by companies like SES S.A., Eutelsat, and Telesat. Intelsat 902 has played a crucial role in supporting various telecommunications services, including mobile network connectivity, broadband internet, and television broadcasting, in partnership with organizations like the International Telecommunication Union and the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. The satellite's operations are monitored and controlled by Intelsat's Network Operations Center in Palo Alto, California, with support from NASA's Deep Space Network and the European Space Agency's European Space Operations Centre.

Spacecraft Characteristics

The Intelsat 902 satellite is based on the Spacebus 3000 platform, which was designed and built by Thales Alenia Space, a leading manufacturer of satellites and spacecraft components, in collaboration with companies like Airbus Defence and Space and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The satellite has a mass of approximately 4,860 kilograms and is equipped with 44 transponders, including C-band and Ku-band transponders, which provide telecommunications services to various regions, including North America, South America, and Australia, in partnership with companies like AT&T, Verizon Communications, and Telstra. The satellite's power is provided by solar panels and batteries, which are designed to support the satellite's operations for a minimum of 13 years, with support from companies like SunPower and Saft Batteries. Intelsat 902 is also equipped with a propulsion system that allows it to maintain its position in geostationary orbit and perform station-keeping maneuvers, using technology developed by companies like Aerojet Rocketdyne and Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.

Launch and Orbit

The Intelsat 902 satellite was launched on June 30, 2001, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan using a Proton-K rocket provided by Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center, with support from companies like Lockheed Martin and United Launch Alliance. The launch was successful, and the satellite was placed into a geostationary transfer orbit with a perigee of 200 kilometers and an apogee of 35,786 kilometers. After a series of orbit-raising maneuvers, the satellite reached its final position in geostationary orbit at 62 degrees east longitude, where it began providing telecommunications services to various regions, including Europe, Africa, and Asia, in partnership with companies like Orange, Vodafone, and Deutsche Telekom. The satellite's orbit is monitored and controlled by Intelsat's Network Operations Center in Palo Alto, California, with support from NASA's Deep Space Network and the European Space Agency's European Space Operations Centre.

Mission and Operations

The primary mission of the Intelsat 902 satellite is to provide telecommunications services to various regions, including Europe, Africa, and Asia, in partnership with major telecommunications companies like BT Group, Telefónica, and Telia Company. The satellite's C-band and Ku-band transponders support a wide range of telecommunications services, including television broadcasting, broadband internet, and mobile network connectivity, with support from companies like SES S.A., Eutelsat, and Telesat. Intelsat 902 has played a crucial role in supporting various telecommunications services, including high-definition television broadcasting and broadband internet access, supported by companies like AT&T, Verizon Communications, and Telstra. The satellite's operations are monitored and controlled by Intelsat's Network Operations Center in Palo Alto, California, with support from NASA's Deep Space Network and the European Space Agency's European Space Operations Centre.

Technical Details

The Intelsat 902 satellite is equipped with a range of technical systems that support its operations, including power generation and storage systems, thermal control systems, and propulsion systems, developed by companies like Aerojet Rocketdyne and Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems. The satellite's power generation system consists of solar panels and batteries, which provide a total power output of approximately 12 kilowatts. The satellite's thermal control system is designed to maintain a stable temperature range, despite the extreme temperatures of space, using technology developed by companies like Ball Aerospace and Honeywell International. Intelsat 902 is also equipped with a propulsion system that allows it to perform station-keeping maneuvers and maintain its position in geostationary orbit, with support from companies like Lockheed Martin and United Launch Alliance. The satellite's communication systems include C-band and Ku-band transponders, which provide telecommunications services to various regions, including North America, South America, and Australia, in partnership with companies like Orange, Vodafone, and Deutsche Telekom.

Category:Communications satellites