Arabsat-6A

Arabsat-6A is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Arabsat.[4] The satellite was built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems on a modernized A2100 bus.[5] The satellite was successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center LC-39A aboard Falcon Heavy on April 11, 2019.[6][7]

Arabsat-6A
Launch of Arabsat-6A on Falcon Heavy
Mission typeCommunications satellite
OperatorKing Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
COSPAR ID2019-021A
SATCAT no.44186
Mission durationPlanned: ~15 years [1]
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeTelecomm
BusA2100
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Launch mass6,460 kg [1]
Start of mission
Launch dateApril 11, 2019, 22:35 UTC
RocketFalcon Heavy
Launch siteKennedy LC-39A
ContractorSpaceX
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric[1]
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude30.5° E[2]
Arabsat-6G program
 

History

Arabsat-6A and SaudiGeoSat-1/HellasSat-4 are the two satellites of the Arabsat-6G program, ordered by the Arab League to supply the communications needs of member states.[8] Contracts to build the two satellites were awarded to Lockheed Martin Space Systems in April 2015. In September 2015 Arabsat awarded the launch contract for Arabsat-6A to SpaceX for a Falcon Heavy flight with no expendable boosters.[9]

Spacecraft

Arabsat 6A is based on an updated version of the A2100 bus and is considered among the most advanced communications satellites built.[10] The spacecraft utilizes fixed and steerable Ku-band and Ka-band transponders to provide TV and radio services to the Middle East and North Africa from its station at 30.5°E.[11]

Launch

Arabsat-6A was launched aboard the first operational Falcon Heavy on 11 April 2019 at 22:35 UTC from Kennedy Space Center LC-39A.[6] Following a successful launch, the twin side boosters separated from the center core and returned to land at Landing Zones 1 and 2, while the center core completed its mission and landed on Of Course I Still Love You. Approximately 34 minutes after launch, the Arabsat-6A was released from the second stage and began a 17-day process to reach its operational orbit.[11]

References
  1. Arabsat-6A. Gunter Dirk Krebs, Gunter's Space Page. Accessed: 17 October 2018.
  2. Arabsat and KACST sign contracts with Lockheed Martin & Arianespace. Arabsat. News Release 1 January 2015.
  3. Lockheed Martin Completes Assembly on Arabsat's Newest Communications Satellite. Lockheed Martin. 20 February 2018.
  4. "Upcoming Satellites". Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  5. "SpaceX Delays Falcon Heavy's First Commercial Launch of ArabSat-6A to 10 April". The First Post. April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  6. Skoneki, Marco Santana, Mark. "SpaceX launches Falcon Heavy into space". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
  7. "Arabsat-6A Mission". YouTube.com. Retrieved 2019-04-11.
  8. "HOME - Arabsat". www.arabsat.com. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  9. "Arabsat 6A". space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
  10. Arabsat-6A Satellite Moves Closer to Launch. Kendall Russell, Satellite Today. 22 February 2018.
  11. Clark, Stephen. "SpaceX's Falcon Heavy successful in commercial debut – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 2020-06-06.


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