Author Topic: Ariane 5 VA243 - Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 and Horizons 3e - Sep. 25, 2018 (Read 65539 times)

GWR64 · « **Reply #200 on:** 10/15/2018 07:37 pm »

Horizons 3e reached the geo a few days ago.

However, the orbit of Azerspace 2 is now changing very slowly.
Are electric engines used for the rest of the climb to geo?
TLEs from yesterday:
15373 x 37375 x 1,72 deg.

GWR64 · « **Reply #201 on:** 11/01/2018 06:55 pm »

quote Intelsat Q3 2018 Quarterly Commentary:

Quote

Intelsat 38, which features electric propulsion for orbit raising, is expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2019.

That explains the low launch mass.
latest orbit :
20576 x 39937 km x 1,16 deg

GWR64 · « **Reply #202 on:** 12/13/2018 08:15 pm »

The climb is done
Azerspace-2/Intelsat-38
35768 x 35786 km x 0.06 deg
Position about 44 ° E, drift 0.1 ° per day to the east
Orbital slot 45 °E

GWR64 · « **Reply #203 on:** 12/18/2018 09:05 am »

IS-38 / AS-2 has now at about 44° E stopped.
maybe for testing.

GWR64 · « **Reply #204 on:** 12/20/2018 07:45 pm »

Quote

Commercial Missions
Last week, SSL completed orbit raising of a multi-mission communications satellite known as Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 using its next-generation, high-power electric thruster, known as the SPT-140. This thruster leverages the Power Processing Unit 140 (PPU-140) with multiple gimbaled Hall Effect thrusters to provide 8-kW of electric propulsion. It was used in a hybrid system together with the company's traditional bi-propellant system to propel Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 to the geostationary arc, 22,300 miles above the equator.

source https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/maxars-ssl-highlights-its-us-industry-leadership-in-next-generation-solar-electric-propulsion-703110271.html?tc=portal_CAP

SPT-140 has Intelsat 38 on board. Also uses Airbus in SES-12, SES-14 and Eutelsat-172b.
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