HS 376 Cutaway Credit - Hughes

Mass 654 kg at beginning-of-life in geosynchronous orbit. Spin stabilized at 50 rpm by 4 hydrazine thrusters with 136 kg propellant. Star 30 apogee kick motor. Solar cells mounted on outside of cylindrical satellite body provide 990 W of power and recharge two NiCd batteries. 24 + 6 backup 9 W transmission beams.

Typical orbit: 38300 km x 38300 km at 0 degrees inclination. Mass: 2,800 kg (6,100 lb). Main Engine: Star 30. Associated Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3, Ariane 44L, Ariane 44LP, Ariane 44P, Ariane 5G, Atlas I, CZ-3, Delta 3000, Delta 4000, Delta 6000, Delta 7000, Shuttle.

• 1980 November 15 - SBS 1 - Program: SBS. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3000. Mass: 550 kg (1,210 lb). Perigee: 35,895 km (22,304 mi). Apogee: 35,928 km (22,324 mi). Inclination: 6.10 deg. Period: 1,442.50 min.

  Satellite Business Systems. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 100 deg W in 1981-1984; 99 deg W in 1984-1990 As of 4 September 2001 located at 115.72 deg E drifting at 1.627 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 96.16E drifting at 1.647W degrees per day.

• 1981 September 24 - SBS 2 - Program: SBS. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3000. Mass: 550 kg (1,210 lb). Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,854 km (22,278 mi). Inclination: 10.10 deg. Period: 1,437.70 min.

  Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 97 deg W in 1981-1983; 104 deg W in 1983; 97 deg W in 1983-1988; 99 deg W in 1988-1990; 97 deg W in 1990-1994; 71 deg W in 1994-1996 As of 31 August 2001 located at 125.63 deg E drifting at 0.458 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 125.97W drifting at 0.561W degrees per day. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

• 1982 August 26 - Anik D1 (Telesat 5) - Program: Anik. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3000. Perigee: 35,820 km (22,250 mi). Apogee: 35,846 km (22,273 mi). Inclination: 8.00 deg. Period: 1,438.50 min.

  Telecommunications. Operating entity Telesat Canada. Longitude 104.5W. Anik D-1 Transmit frequencies (MHz): 3720, 3740, 3760, 3780, 3800, 3820, 3840, 3860, 3880, 3900, 3920, 3940, 3960, 3980, 4000, 4020, 4040, 4060, 4080, 4100, 4120, 4140, 4160, 4180. Power 8.9 watts on each frequency. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 104 deg W in 1982-1991 As of 2 September 2001 located at 94.37 deg E drifting at 0.637 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 52.18E drifting at 0.631W degrees per day.

• 1982 February 26 - Westar 4 - Program: Westar. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3000. Mass: 1,072 kg (2,363 lb). Perigee: 35,915 km (22,316 mi). Apogee: 35,943 km (22,333 mi). Inclination: 2.00 deg. Period: 1,443.40 min.

  TV, telephone. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 99 deg W in 1982-1991 As of 2 September 2001 located at 83.31 deg W drifting at 1.825 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 112.98W drifting at 1.830W degrees per day.

• 1982 June 9 - Westar 5 - Program: Westar. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3000. Mass: 1,072 kg (2,363 lb). Perigee: 36,017 km (22,379 mi). Apogee: 36,157 km (22,466 mi). Inclination: 1.40 deg. Period: 1,451.50 min.

  Voice, TV coverage for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 123 deg W in 1982-1992 As of 5 September 2001 located at 132.07 deg W drifting at 3.816 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 135.75E drifting at 3.802W degrees per day.

• 1982 November 11 - Anik C3 (Telesat 6) - Program: Anik. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 632 kg (1,393 lb). Perigee: 35,871 km (22,289 mi). Apogee: 35,902 km (22,308 mi). Inclination: 7.90 deg. Period: 1,441.20 min.

  Deployed from STS-5 11 November 1982. Telecommunications, operated by Telesat Canada. Transmit power 11.2 W per frequency at input of transmit antenna (typical saturated carrier). Anik C-3 Transmit frequency (MHz): 11730, 11743, 11791, 11804, 11852 , 11865, 11913, 11926, 11974, 11987, 12035, 12048, 12096, 12109 , 12157, 12170. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 117.5 deg W in 1982-1989; 115 deg W in 1989-1997 As of 5 September 2001 located at 15.95 deg E drifting at 1.305 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 114.85W drifting at 1.353W degrees per day.

• 1982 November 11 - SBS 3 - Program: SBS. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 1,117 kg (2,462 lb). Perigee: 35,855 km (22,279 mi). Apogee: 35,910 km (22,310 mi). Inclination: 7.80 deg. Period: 1,441.00 min.

  Deployed from STS-5 11 November 1982. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 94 deg W in 1982-1983; 95 deg W in 1983-1993; 74 deg W in 1994-1995 As of 4 September 2001 located at 41.59 deg E drifting at 1.235 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 117.46E drifting at 1.221W degrees per day. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

• 1983 July 28 - Telstar 3A - Program: Telstar. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3000. Mass: 625 kg (1,377 lb). Perigee: 35,885 km (22,297 mi). Apogee: 36,108 km (22,436 mi). Inclination: 6.50 deg. Period: 1,446.80 min.

  Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 96 deg W in 1983-1985; 105 deg W in 1985; 96 deg W in 1985-1994; 107 deg W in 1994; 20 deg E in 1995-1996 As of 5 September 2001 located at 143.88 deg W drifting at 2.714 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 158.94W drifting at 2.690W degrees per day.

• 1983 June 18 - Anik C2 (Telesat 7) - Program: Anik. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 1,238 kg (2,729 lb). Perigee: 35,949 km (22,337 mi). Apogee: 36,273 km (22,538 mi). Inclination: 7.80 deg. Period: 1,452.70 min.

  Deployed by STS-7 6/19/83. Telecommunications. Operating entity TELESAT Canada. Longitude 110 W. Transmit power 11.2 W on each frequency. Frequencies 11730, 11743, 11791, 11804, 11852, 11865, 11913, 11926, 11974, 11987, 12035, 12048, 12096, 12109, 12157, 12170 MHz. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 112 deg W in 1983; 105 deg W in 1983-1985; 110 deg W in 1985-1991; 109 deg W in 1991-1993;76 deg W in 1993-1997; 115 deg W in 1997-1998 As of 4 September 2001 located at 113.76 deg E drifting at 4.144 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 68.60E drifting at 4.154W degrees per day.

• 1983 June 18 - Palapa B1 - Program: Palapa. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Perigee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Apogee: 35,840 km (22,260 mi). Inclination: 8.60 deg. Period: 1,437.90 min.

  Deployed by STS-7 6/18/83. Palapa B satellites were four times as powerful and twice the size of their predecessors, the Palapa A series. While the A series was designed for domestic/regional communications within Indonesia, the new system also served the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. Palapa B2 was originally placed into a useless orbit due to malfunctions of its PAM-D upper stage. The Indonesian government claimed $75 million insurance and ordered a replacement (B2P), which was successfully orbited 3 years later. The original B2 was recovered by the STS-51A mission on November 12, 1984 under an arrangement between the satellite's insurers, NASA and Hughes. The satellite was then sold by the insurers to an intermediary company, refurbished, and then resold back to Indonesia following its launch in 1990. Spacecraft: Based on Hughes HS-376 design. Cylindrical structure. Spin stabilised. Hydrazine propulsion system for attitude control, orbit maintenance. Body mounted solar cells provide 1060 W BOL. Despun antenna platform. Payload: Each carried 24 C-band transponders (+6 spares). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 108 deg E in 1983-1990; 118 deg E in 1990-1992; 134 deg E in 1992-1995 As of 1 September 2001 located at 156.84 deg E drifting at 0.192 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 169.93W drifting at 0.283W degrees per day.

• 1983 June 28 - Galaxy 1 - Program: Galaxy. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3000. Mass: 1,218 kg (2,685 lb). Perigee: 35,815 km (22,254 mi). Apogee: 35,841 km (22,270 mi). Inclination: 6.30 deg. Period: 1,438.20 min.

  TV. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 134 deg W in 1983-1991; 133 deg W in 1991-1994 As of 31 August 2001 located at 92.66 deg W drifting at 0.600 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 46.95W drifting at 0.505W degrees per day.

• 1983 September 22 - Galaxy 2 - Program: Galaxy. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3000. Mass: 1,218 kg (2,685 lb). Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 74 deg W in 1983-1994 As of 4 September 2001 located at 110.16 deg W drifting at 0.457 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 57.56E drifting at 0.460W degrees per day.

• 1984 August 30 - SBS 4 - Program: SBS. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 1,117 kg (2,462 lb). Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 6.80 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  Released from STS 41D 8/31/84; 101 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 101 deg W in 1984-1985; 91 deg W in 1985-1993; 77 deg W in 1993-on. As of 1 September 2001 located at 77.06 deg W drifting at 0.019 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 113.88W drifting at 5.445W degrees per day.

• 1984 August 30 - Telstar 3C - Program: Telstar. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 625 kg (1,377 lb). Perigee: 35,901 km (22,307 mi). Apogee: 35,948 km (22,337 mi). Inclination: 5.70 deg. Period: 1,443.20 min.

  Released from STS 41D 9/1/84; stationed at 125 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 86 deg W in 1984-1987; 85 deg W in 1987-1997; 97 deg W in 1997 As of 26 August 2001 located at 148.40 deg W drifting at 1.778 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 128.46W drifting at 1.794W degrees per day.

• 1984 February 3 - Westar 6 - Program: Westar. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Perigee: 307 km (190 mi). Apogee: 1,220 km (750 mi). Inclination: 27.70 deg. Period: 100.10 min.

  Deployed from STS 41B 4 February 1984; failed to reach proper orbit; recovered by STS-51A. The Westar series of geostationary spacecraft provide commercial communications services for Western Union. Westar 6 failed to achieve geosynchronous orbit after being deployed from the Space Shuttle. It was later retrieved by another Shuttle mission (November 14, 1984) and returned for refurbishment and relaunch. All Westars have been launched by NASA on a reimbursable basis. Spacecraft: Westar uses the Hughes HS-376 spacecraft design. Spin stabilised with a despun antenna section. Body mounted solar cells. Once on orbit, an outer cylinder deploys downward in 'dixie-cup' fashion to increase the solar panel area. Payload: Westar spacecraft typically carried 12 to 24 transponders in the 4-6 GHz range. A single antenna reflector (72 inch diameter) is used with an array of offset feed horns. The reflector uses two polarisation-selective surfaces for horizontal and vertical polarised signals.

• 1984 February 3 - Palapa B2 - Program: Palapa. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Perigee: 280 km (170 mi). Apogee: 1,190 km (730 mi). Inclination: 28.20 deg. Period: 99.50 min.

  Deployed from STS 41B 4 February 1984; failed to reach proper orbit; recovered by STS-51A.

• 1984 November 8 - Anik D2 - Program: Anik. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 1,100 kg (2,400 lb). Perigee: 36,076 km (22,416 mi). Apogee: 36,271 km (22,537 mi). Inclination: 6.70 deg. Period: 1,455.90 min.

  Released 9 November 1984 from STS 51A; 82 deg W. Telecommunications. Longitude 111.5 deg W. Operating entity Telesat Canada. Transmitter power 8.9 watts at each frequency. Frequencies 3720 to 4180 MHz spaced by 20 MHz. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 111 deg W in 1984-1986; 110 deg W in 1986-1991; 82 deg W in 1991-1993; 20 deg E in 1993-1995 As of 28 August 2001 located at 178.69 deg W drifting at 4.912 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 25.98W drifting at 4.913W degrees per day.

• 1984 September 21 - Galaxy 3 - Program: Galaxy. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3000. Mass: 1,218 kg (2,685 lb). Perigee: 35,885 km (22,297 mi). Apogee: 35,931 km (22,326 mi). Inclination: 5.70 deg. Period: 1,442.30 min.

  Geostationary at 3.5 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 94 deg W in 1984-1995 As of 1 September 2001 located at 138.23 deg E drifting at 1.543 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 125.04W drifting at 1.587W degrees per day.

• 1985 April 12 - Anik C1 - Program: Anik. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 1,238 kg (2,729 lb). Perigee: 35,783 km (22,234 mi). Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  Released by STS 51D 4/13/85; 107.5 deg W. Telecommunications. Operating entity TELESAT Canada. Longitude 107.5 W. Transmit power 11.2 W on each frequency. Frequencies 11730, 11743, 11791, 11804, 11852, 11865, 11913, 11926, 11974, 11987, 12035, 12048, 12096, 12109, 12157, 121 70 MHz. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 107 deg W in 1985-1991; 109 deg W in 1991-1993; 72 deg W in 1993-1997; 118 deg W in 1997-1998; 106 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 63.20 deg W drifting at 0.009 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 2 located at 112.29E drifting at 2.201W degrees per day.

• 1985 August 27 - Aussat A1 - Program: Aussat. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 1,260 kg (2,770 lb). Perigee: 35,922 km (22,320 mi). Apogee: 35,934 km (22,328 mi). Inclination: 7.00 deg. Period: 1,443.30 min.

  Released by STS 51I 8/27/85. Aussat A1 was decommissioned in early 1993 at the ned of its nominal life. It is currently in a non-synchronous graveyard orbit.. It spent its active life at 160 deg. E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 160 deg E in 1985-1993 As of 5 September 2001 located at 174.28 deg W drifting at 1.831 deg W per day. As of 2007 Feb 27 located at 120.19E drifting at 1.838W degrees per day.

• 1985 February 8 - Brasilsat A1 - Program: Brasilsat. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Mass: 671 kg (1,479 lb). Perigee: 35,983 km (22,358 mi). Apogee: 35,999 km (22,368 mi). Inclination: 5.90 deg. Period: 1,446.60 min.

  Stationed at 65 deg W. Brazilsat 1 & 2 provide telecommunications services to Brazil. Canada's Spar Aerospace was awarded a $125 million contract to build, under license, two satellites based on Hughes' HS-376 design (similar to Anik D). Brazilsat 1 & 2 were the first two elements of Brazil's national Sistema Barasilero de Telecommunicacoes por Satelite (SBTS) network. Spacecraft: Based on Hughes HS-376, single antenna on despun platform, spin stabilised, hydrazine thrusters, body mounted solar cells provide 982 W BOL. Payload: 24 C-band transponders with 6 spares, 10 W TWTA, EIRP >34 dBW over most of Brazilian territory
  Financial/Operational:
  Contract issued in 1990 for 2 units HS-376W. B1-B2 have dedicated transponders for government use. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 65 deg W in 1985-1994; 63 deg W in 1994-1996; 79 deg W in 1996-1998; 144 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 143.96 deg W drifting at 0.005 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 145.69E drifting at 2.591W degrees per day.

• 1985 June 17 - Morelos 1 - Program: Morelos. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 512 kg (1,128 lb). Perigee: 35,999 km (22,368 mi). Apogee: 36,030 km (22,380 mi). Inclination: 6.30 deg. Period: 1,447.80 min.

  Released by STS 51G 17 June 1985; 113.5 deg W. Coverage of the national territory with television, radio and telephony signals and data transmission. Geostationary satellite. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 113 deg W in 1985-1994 As of 4 September 2001 located at 123.32 deg W drifting at 2.909 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 176.84E drifting at 2.883W degrees per day.

• 1985 June 17 - Telstar 3D - Program: Telstar. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 630 kg (1,380 lb). Perigee: 35,888 km (22,299 mi). Apogee: 35,911 km (22,314 mi). Inclination: 5.40 deg. Period: 1,441.90 min.

  Released by STS 51G 19 June 1985; stationed at 76 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 125 deg W in 1985-1992; 123 deg W in 1992-1996; 120 deg W in 1996-1999 As of 31 August 2001 located at 16.95 deg W drifting at 1.400 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 6.47W drifting at 1.400W degrees per day.

• 1985 November 27 - Aussat A2 - Program: Aussat. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 1,259 kg (2,775 lb). Perigee: 35,866 km (22,286 mi). Apogee: 35,886 km (22,298 mi). Inclination: 6.70 deg. Period: 1,440.70 min.

  Released by STS 61B 11/28/85; 156 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 156 deg E in 1985-1993; 164 deg E in 1993-1999 As of 1 September 2001 located at 24.67 deg W drifting at 1.153 deg W per day. As of 2007 Feb 27 located at 133.30E drifting at 1.163W degrees per day.

• 1985 November 27 - Morelos 2 - Program: Morelos. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. Mass: 645 kg (1,421 lb). Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Released by STS 61B 11/27/85. Coverage of the national territory with television, radio and telephony signals and data transmission. Geostationary satellite. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 116 deg W in 1985-1998; 120 deg W in 1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 120.20 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 148.53W drifting at 2.555W degrees per day.

• 1986 March 28 - Brasilsat A2 - Program: Brasilsat. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Mass: 1,243 kg (2,740 lb). Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 4.60 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Stationed at 105 deg W. Brazilsat 1 & 2 provide telecommunications services to Brazil. Canada's Spar Aerospace was awarded a $125 million contract to build, under license, two satellites based on Hughes' HS-376 design (similar to Anik D). Brazilsat 1 & 2 were the first two elements of Brazil's national Sistema Barasilero de Telecommunicacoes por Satelite (SBTS) network. Spacecraft: Based on Hughes HS-376, single antenna on despun platform, spin stabilised, hydrazine thrusters, body mounted solar cells provide 982 W BOL. Payload: 24 C-band transponders with 6 spares, 10 W TWTA, EIRP >34 dBW over most of Brazilian territory
  Financial/Operational:
  Contract issued in 1990 for 2 units HS-376W. B1-B2 have dedicated transponders for government use. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 70 deg W in 1986-1995; 92 deg W in 1995-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 62.91 deg W drifting at 0.007 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 7 located at 32.58W drifting at 2.263W degrees per day.

• 1987 March 20 - Palapa B2P - Program: Palapa. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 3000. Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Perigee: 35,868 km (22,287 mi). Apogee: 35,906 km (22,310 mi). Inclination: 5.00 deg. Period: 1,441.20 min.

  Stationed at 113 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 113 deg E in 1987-1996; 144 deg E in 1996-1998 As of 28 August 2001 located at 130.30 deg W drifting at 1.327 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 3 located at 141.38E drifting at 1.274W degrees per day.

• 1987 September 16 - Aussat A3 - Program: Aussat. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Mass: 1,195 kg (2,634 lb). Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  Australian domestic communications; 164 deg E. Communication satellite. Launching states: Australia and France. Longitude 164 deg E +/- 0.5. (orbit given is geocentric 42164 km, which corresponds to altitude 35787 km). The satellite mass was 655 kg at beginning of life for an Ariane mission only on-station after the apogee motor had fired and station acquisition fuel was expended. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 164 deg E in 1987-1993; 156 deg E in 1993-1995; 152 deg E in 1995-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 163.96 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 31.52E drifting at 0.011E degrees per day.

• 1988 September 8 - SBS 5 - Program: SBS. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 2/3. Mass: 1,241 kg (2,735 lb). Perigee: 35,909 km (22,312 mi). Apogee: 35,937 km (22,330 mi). Inclination: 2.00 deg. Period: 1,443.10 min.

  Stationed at 122 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 123 deg W in 1988-2000 As of 5 September 2001 located at 22.98 deg E drifting at 1.728 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 147.52E drifting at 1.709W degrees per day.

• 1989 August 27 - BSB-1A - Program: BSB. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 4000. Mass: 1,233 kg (2,718 lb). Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  British DBS; 31 deg W. Direct broadcasting system. Expected operational life, 10 years. Owner/operator: British Satellite Broadcasting Ltd, The Marcopolo Building, Chelsea Bridge, Queenstown Rd, London SW8 4NQ. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 31 deg W in 1989-1993; 5 deg E in 1994-2000; 13 deg W in 2000. As of 31 August 2001 located at 12.98 deg W drifting at 0.008 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 45.02W drifting at 3.908W degrees per day.

• 1990 April 13 - Palapa B2R - Program: Palapa. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 6000. Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.30 min.

  Refurbished Palapa B2 retrieved by STS-51A; 107.7 deg E. Communication services for Indonesia, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Papua New Guinea. Launch time 2227:59.719 Z. Launch complex 17, ETR. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 108 deg E in 1990-1999 As of 29 August 2001 located at 42.49 deg E drifting at 0.002 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 163.55E drifting at 2.663W degrees per day.

• 1990 April 7 - Asiasat 1 - Program: Asiasat. Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3. Mass: 1,442 kg (3,179 lb). Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 2.70 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  First commercial Chinese launch; Stationed at 105 deg E; formerly Westar 6 (retrieved by STS-51A and refurbished). Fixed-satellite telecommunication services and transmission of television signals. Operational life about 10 years. Orbital position 105.5E. Owner/operator: Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co, Ltd. 23-24/F, East Exchange Tower, 38-40 Leighton Rd, Hong K ong. Telex 68345 ASAT HX Fax 852 576 4111. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 105 deg E in 1990-1999; 122 deg E in 1999-2000. As of 3 September 2001 located at 121.97 deg E drifting at 0.009 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 23.96E drifting at 3.706W degrees per day.

• 1990 August 18 - Thor 1 / BSB-R2 - Program: Thor Comsat. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 6000. Mass: 1,220 kg (2,680 lb). Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  UK DBS; 31 deg W. Direct broadcasting system. Expected operational life 12.5 yr. Owner/operator: British Sky Broadcasting Ltd, 6 Centaurs Business Park, Grant Way, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 5QD. Sold on-orbit in 1992 to Telenor Norway and redesignated Thor 1. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 50 deg W in 1990; 31 deg W in 1991-1992; 1 deg W in 1992-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 0.72 deg W drifting at 0.001 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 61.51W drifting at 3.830W degrees per day.

• 1990 February 22 - BS 2X - Program: BS. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. FAILURE: Exploded 100 seconds after liftoff due to water line blockage. This was caused by a piece of cloth found in the first stage Viking engine water cooling system. Apogee: 9.00 km (5.50 mi).

• 1990 October 12 - SBS 6 - Program: SBS. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Mass: 2,478 kg (5,463 lb). Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Stationed at 99 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 97 deg W in 1990; 99 deg W in 1991-1994; 95 deg W in 1994-1995; 74 deg W in 1995-1999 As of 1 September 2001 located at 74.05 deg W drifting at 0.010 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 74.06W drifting at 0.011W degrees per day.

• 1990 October 12 - Galaxy 6 - Program: Galaxy. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Mass: 1,212 kg (2,672 lb). Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Geostationary at 99 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 91 deg W in 1990-1991; 99 deg W in 1991-1993; 103 deg W in 1993-1994; 74 deg W in 1994-1998; 99 deg W in 1998-1999; 91 deg W in 2000.; 74 deg W in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 73.96 deg W drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 14.62E drifting at 1.829W degrees per day.

• 1992 August 22 - Galaxy 1R - Program: Galaxy. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Atlas I. FAILURE: Destroyed by range safety. Centaur engine turbopump did not start. Identical to the 18 April 1991 failure.

• 1992 March 14 - Galaxy 5 - Program: Galaxy. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Atlas I. Mass: 1,412 kg (3,112 lb). Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Geostationary at 125 deg W. Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit with GCS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 125 deg W in 1992-2001. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 7.46E drifting at 3.538W degrees per day.

• 1992 May 14 - Palapa B4 - Program: Palapa. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000. Mass: 1,254 kg (2,764 lb). Perigee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  Stationed at 118 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 118 deg E in 1992-1999 As of 2 September 2001 located at 118.02 deg E drifting at 0.020 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 164.88E drifting at 1.157W degrees per day.

• 1993 December 18 - Thaicom - Program: Thaicom. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Mass: 1,080 kg (2,380 lb). Perigee: 35,783 km (22,234 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 78 deg E in 1994-1997; 120 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 120.00 deg E drifting at 0.017 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 119.92E drifting at 0.025W degrees per day.

• 1994 February 19 - Galaxy 1R - Program: Galaxy. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000. Mass: 1,391 kg (3,066 lb). Perigee: 35,774 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Stationed at 133 deg W; replaced Galaxy 1. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 133 deg W in 1994-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 132.97 deg W drifting at 0.005 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 88.88W drifting at 3.795W degrees per day.

• 1994 July 21 - Apstar 1 - Program: Apstar. Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3. Mass: 1,383 kg (3,048 lb). Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.12 min.

  Asia-Pacific communications. Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 138 deg E in 1994-1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 138.04 deg E drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 141.96E drifting at 0.002W degrees per day.

• 1994 October 8 - Thaicom 2 - Program: Thaicom. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Mass: 1,080 kg (2,380 lb). Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  10 C-band, 2 Ku-band transponders. Stationed at 78.42 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 78 deg E in 1994-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 78.46 deg E drifting at 0.008 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 78.52E drifting at 0.005W degrees per day.

• 1996 August 18 - Zhongxing 7 - Program: Chinastar. Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3. Perigee: 21,674 km (13,467 mi). Apogee: 46,499 km (28,893 mi). Inclination: 26.30 deg. Period: 1,350.20 min.

• 1996 January 12 - Measat 1 - Program: Measat. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Mass: 1,450 kg (3,190 lb). Perigee: 35,783 km (22,234 mi). Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Geostationary at 91.4E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 91 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 91.49 deg E drifting at 0.012 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 91.50E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.

• 1996 July 3 - Apstar 1A - Program: Apstar. Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Vehicle: CZ-3. Mass: 2,800 kg (6,100 lb). Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  24 C-band transponders; Operated in geosynchronous orbit at 134 deg E in 1996-1999. As of 6 September 2001 located at 134.02 deg E drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 129.99E drifting at 0.007E degrees per day.

• 1996 November 13 - Measat 2 - Program: Measat. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Geostationary at 148.0E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 148 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 148.00 deg E drifting at 0.011 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 147.98E drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.

• 1997 April 16 - BSAT 1a - Program: BSAT. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  Geosynchronous. Stationed over 110.0E Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 109.56 deg E drifting at 0.018 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 109.63E drifting at 0.008W degrees per day.

• 1997 May 20 - Thor 2 - Program: Thor Comsat. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000. Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Geosynchronous. Stationed over 0.8W Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg W in 1997-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 0.73 deg W drifting at 0.000 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 0.76W drifting at 0.002W degrees per day.

• 1998 April 28 - BSAT 1B - Program: BSAT. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44P. Perigee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,788 km (22,237 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  Geostationary at 109.9 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 109.63 deg E drifting at 0.019 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 109.75E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.

• 1998 June 10 - Thor 3 - Program: Thor Comsat. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000. Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  The spacecraft was delivered to its final orbit in a complex series of five engine burns by three rocket stages. The Delta's second stage demonstrated its restart capability in 4 burns: Burn 1 placed the rocket and payload into a low circular orbit; Burn 2 raised the apogee to 1400 km; Burn 3 circularised the orbit at 1400 km. The second stage then separated, and Burn 4 lowered the spent stage's perigee to a low altitude to ensure the stage would decay quickly and not add to the space junk already on orbit. Stage 3 burned once to place the payload and its kick motor into a high 1400 km perigee geosynchronous transfer orbit. The Stage 4 Star 30 apogee kick motor circularised the spacecraft's orbit at geostationary altitude. Geostationary at 0.8 degrees W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 0.83 deg W drifting at 0.000 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 0.85W drifting at 0.002W degrees per day.

• 1998 November 22 - BONUM-1 - Program: BONUM. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7000. Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg.

  BONUM-1 provided domestic Russian television service for Media Most, a Moscow media enterprise, broadcasting 50 channels to western Russia from a geostationary orbit at 36 degrees E. Mass was 1426 kg at launch, 800 kg of that propellant. BONUM-1 carried 8 Ku-band transponders. The Delta upper stage raised the initial 157 km x 189 km at 29.2 degree parking orbit to 159 km x 1304 km and then 1228 km x 1683 km at 26.7 degrees. A Thiokol Star 48B solid third stage boosted BONUM-1 to a 1285 x 36703 km x 19.5 degree geostationary transfer orbit, with the Thiokol Star 30 apogee kick motor placing the satellite in its final geostationary orbit. After separation of the spacecraft, the Delta made a final depletion burn to lower its orbit to 274 km x 1552 km x 25.6 degree to ensure it would quickly decay and burn up in the atmosphere. Geostationary at 35.9 degrees E. From 8 August 2000 position was 56.0 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 36 deg E in 1998-1999 55 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 56.03 deg E drifting at 0.016 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 55.94E drifting at 0.008W degrees per day.

• 1998 October 5 - Sirius 3 - Program: Sirius. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Geostationary at 23.5 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 28 deg E in 1998-1999; 5 deg E in 2000.- As of 5 September 2001 located at 5.04 deg E drifting at 0.003 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 4.97E drifting at 0.000W degrees per day.

• 2000 December 20 - Astra 2D - Program: Astra. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Mass: 1,414 kg (3,117 lb). Perigee: 35,886 km (22,298 mi). Apogee: 35,895 km (22,304 mi). Inclination: 0.20 deg. Period: 1,441.41 min.

  Astra 2D was a Boeing 376HP spin-stabilised satellite, with a dry mass of around 700 kg. It was owned by the Luxembourg-based company SES and was to broadcast to the British Isles. Astra 2D was in a 292 x 35835 km x 2.2 deg transfer orbit on December 22 and was subsequently boosted into geosynchronous orbit by its Star 30 apogee kick motor. The 825 kg (dry mass) satellite carried 16 Ku-band transponders to provide direct-to-home voice, video, and data transmissions to Britain and neighboring countries after parking over 28.2 deg-E longitude. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 28 deg E in 2001 As of 3 September 2001 located at 28.17 deg E drifting at 0.014 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 28.17E drifting at 0.014W degrees per day.

• 2002 March 29 - Astra 3A - Program: Astra. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44L. Mass: 1,495 kg (3,295 lb). Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Communications satellite. Launch delayed from mid-March. After the Ariane third stage reached geostationary transfer orbit, JCSAT 8 separated, followed by the Mini-Spelda adapter, followed by Astra 3A. Astra 3A was a Boeing BSS-376HP, with a mass of 1495 kg full and about 750 kg empty. It joined Luxembourg-based SES Astra's fleet. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 153.96E drifting at 0.004W degrees per day.

• 2003 September 27 - E-Bird - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5G. Mass: 1,525 kg (3,362 lb). Perigee: 664 km (412 mi). Apogee: 35,758 km (22,218 mi). Inclination: 6.90 deg. Period: 639.60 min.

  Last flight of the Ariane 5G. Launch delayed from July 15, August 22 and 28, September 3. The e-Bird was to service high-speed access networks providing both forward and return links via satellite. The spacecraft carried 20 active Ku-band transponders, each powered by a 33-watt traveling wave tube amplifier. The Ku-band transponders were connected to four spot beams that would provide coverage over Europe and Turkey. The spacecraft was to operate at 33 degrees East longitude, and had a contract life of 10 years.

• JPL Mission and Spacecraft Library, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1997. Accessed at: http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/home.html.

• USAF Satellite Database, USAF Institute of Technology, 1995. Accessed at: ftp://archive.afit.af.mil/pub/space/.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Krebs, Gunter, Gunter's Space Page, University of Frankfurt, 1996. Accessed at: http://www.skyrocket.de/space.

• Lockheed Martin Coporation, Atlas Family Fact Sheets, September 1998.. Accessed at: http://www.lmco.com/ILS/txtmain/ils_lsysinfo.htm.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Launch Log, October 1998. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited since Sputnik. Accessed at: http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~jcm/space/log/launch.html.

• NASA/GSFC Orbital Information Group Website, . Accessed at: http://oig1.gsfc.nasa.gov/.

• Space-Launcher.com, Orbital Report News Agency. Accessed at: http://www.orbireport.com/Log.html.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Report (Internet Newsletter), Harvard University, Weekly, 1989 to Present. Essential internet newsletter recording worldwide weekly space events. Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.