Afghansat 1
Names | Eutelsat W2M (2008–2012) Eutelsat 48B (2012) Eutelsat 28B (2012–2014) Afghansat 1 (2014–present) |
---|---|
Mission type | Communication |
Operator | Afghanistan's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology(2014–present) |
COSPAR ID | 2008-065B |
SATCATno. | 33460![]() |
Mission duration | 15 years |
Spacecraft properties | |
Manufacturer | EADS Astrium ISRO |
Launch mass | 3,460 kilograms (7,630 lb) |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 20 December 2008 |
Rocket | Ariane 5ECA |
Launch site | KourouELA-3 |
Contractor | Arianespace |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric |
Regime | Geostationary |
Longitude | 48° East |
Afghansat 1(Pashto:افغان سټ یو,Persian:افغانست 1), formerly namedEutelsat W2M,Eutelsat 48B,Eutelsat 28B[1][2]is a telecommunications satellite operated byAfghanistan'sMinistry of Communications and Information Technology.[3]
History
[edit]Eutelsat W2M, as it was then named, was originally launched on 20 December 2008 aboard anAriane 5ECAcarrier rocket along with theHot Bird 9spacecraft.[4]It was built byEADS Astrium,based on theI-3Ksatellite busprovided by theIndian Space Research Organisation.[5]It was to have been placed ingeosynchronous orbitat 16°E, from where it was to provide communications services to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, with 32NATOJ-band(IEEEKuband)transponders.
The satellite has a mass of 3,460 kg, and a planned service life of 15 years. On 28 January 2009, Eutelsat announced that it would not accept delivery of the satellite[6]due to what was described as a "major anomaly affecting the satellite's power subsystem".[7]
Commenting on these decisions, Eutelsat Communications Chairman and CEO Giuliano Berretta said: "The situation affecting W2M is a serious disappointment for Eutelsat. However, for many years we have pursued a strategy based on securing and expanding our in-orbit resources in order to mitigate this type of risk. Our current investment programme consequently combines early renewal of operating satellites, together with securing the fleet through readily available back-up resources, and expansion of services with larger satellites. This policy puts us in a position to absorb the unavailability of W2M without impact on the continuity of service we provide our customers."
On the same day Eutelsat also confirmed that the unavailability of W2M does not impact on the Group's guidance for revenues in excess of 900 million euros for the 2008–2009 financial year since the W2M satellite programme is fully insured.
Although Eutelsat had originally declared that, due to the power system partial failure, W2M would not be integrated into Eutelsat's satellite fleet; after the in-orbit failure of Eutelsat W2 in January 2010, Eutelsat decided to redeploy W2M at 16°E to provide limited back-up services for the failed W2 satellite.[8]The satellite was redeployed from 28.5° East where it has delivered 100% availability since August 2012. Its estimated end of operational use in stable orbit is 2020.[9]
In January 2014 theAfghan Ministry of Communications and Information Technologysigned an agreement withEutelsatfor the use of satellite resources to enhance deployment of Afghanistan's national broadcasting and telecommunications infrastructure as well as its international connectivity. Eutelsat 48D supports a wide range of services including broadcasting, mobile telephony backhaul and IP connectivity. Commenting on the agreement, MinisterAmirzai Sanginsaid: "Afghansat 1 is a new milestone in the development of the ICT sector in Afghanistan, which in the last 12 years has already seen mobile telephony coverage of 88% and penetration grow from zero to 75% through the licensing of six operators, ICT sector employment provided for more than 138,000 people and more than $2.1 billion invested in the national economy." Afghansat 1 was officially launched on 10 May 2014, with expected service for at least seven years in Afghanistan. The Afghan government then plans to launch Afghansat 2 after seven years later.[3]
References
[edit]- ^Krebs, Gunter."Eutelsat W2M → Eutelsat 48B → Eutelsat 28B".Gunter's Space Page.Retrieved2008-12-20.
- ^Satellite To Be Moved, Renamed Afghansat 1 under Eutelsat-Afghan Pact
- ^abMuhammad Hassan Khetab, ed. (10 May 2014)."Afghanistan's maiden satellite launched".Pajhwok Afghan News.Archived fromthe originalon 2016-12-30.Retrieved2014-05-10.
- ^"Two Eutelsat satellites are orbited by Arianespace on Ariane 5's 28th consecutive mission success".Arianespace. 2008-12-20. Archived fromthe originalon 2015-10-30.
- ^"EADS Astrium-ISRO Team To Build Eutelsat W2M Satellite,"Satellite News,February 06, 2006
- ^O'Connor, Vanessa; Gautier, Frederique (2009-01-28)."Eutelsat Statement on the W2m Satellite".PR Newswire. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-02-11.Retrieved2009-01-28.
- ^Peter B. De Selding Newly Launched Satellite Fails in Space,Space News28 January 2009
- ^Gunter's Space Page, Eutelsat W2M,retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^"EUTELSAT QUANTUM | Eutelsat Satellites | Eutelsat".
External links
[edit]- Eutelsat 48D / Afghansat 1 details at Eutelsat
- Press release announcing the MCIT partnership with Eutelsat
- Press release announcing the failure of the W2M
- Eutelsat 48B Ku-band Wide Beamfootprint(s)at SatBeams
- Eutelsat 48B Ku-band Steerable Beamfootprint(s)at SatBeams
- Afghansat 1 / Eutelsat 28B / Eutelsat 48B / Eutelsat W2M Channelsat Satepedia