Author Topic: LIVE: VA238 A5 - Inmarsat S EAN/HellasSat 3 & GSAT-17 - June 28, 2017(21:15 UTC)  (Read 67046 times)

Offline edkyle99

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Awesome coverage, thank you!

Apologies if this has been asked elsewhere. I saw in NSF's article that Inmarsat had originally contracted to have their satellite launched by a Falcon 9, then contemplated switching to a Proton rocket, before settling on Ariane.

How is this possible? Isn't every satellite custom-built to integrate with the rocket on which it launches? Wouldn't they have had to redesign and move attach points, at minimum, for every switch?

First, there are a handful of comsat builders - HellasSat 3 is a Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 4000C4 model - so presumably they have worked toward standardized payload attach fitting connections that allow their satellites to fly aboard multiple launch vehicles.  Second, Inmarsat S is, as I understand things (and I could be wrong), a package attached to the HellasSat 3 bus.  There is a chance that it could move to different satellites.

 - Ed Kyle

Offline vyoma

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http://www.isro.gov.in/update/01-jul-2017/second-orbit-raising-operation-of-gsat-17-satellite-has-been-successfully-carried

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Jul 01, 2017
The second orbit raising operation of GSAT-17 Satellite has been successfully carried out by LAM Engine firing for 2896 sec from 11:03 hr IST on July 01, 2017.

Orbit Determination results from this LAM firing are:
 - Apogee X perigee height was changed to 35812 km X 30314 km.
 - Inclination is 0.13 deg.
 - Orbital period is 21hr 39 min.

Offline vyoma

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http://www.isro.gov.in/update/02-jul-2017/third-and-final-orbit-raising-operation-of-gsat-17-satellite-has-been

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Jul 02, 2017
The third and final orbit raising operation of GSAT-17 Satellite has been successfully carried out by LAM Engine firing for 492 sec from 08:51 hr IST on July 02, 2017.

Orbit Determination results from this LAM firing are:
 - Apogee X perigee height was changed to 35813 km X 35447 km.
 - Inclination is 0.088 deg.
 - Orbital period is 23hr 48 min.


http://www.isro.gov.in/update/02-jul-2017/deployment-of-both-solar-arrays-and-two-antenna-reflectors-have-been-successfully
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Jul 02, 2017
Deployment of both the Solar arrays and two antenna reflectors have been successfully completed by 16:15 hrs IST.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Inmarsat‏ Verified account @InmarsatGlobal 10m10 minutes ago

Our #EANsat has successfully reached GEO orbit & deployed its solar arrays & reflectors! 🛰️ Our #EuropeanAviationNetwork is coming!

https://twitter.com/InmarsatGlobal/status/882168542858285056

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Offline Jester

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VA238 without you know what...
« Last Edit: 07/05/2017 02:19 pm by Jester »

Offline pargoo

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Offline hvdh

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Yesterday's TLE confirms GSAT-17 is stationary at 93.5°E.

HellasSat 3 in-orbit testing is in progress at 34.5°E (Ku- and Ka-band).

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