Amazonas 3 pictured in the Compact Antenna Test Range, photo courtesy of Space Systems/Loral

...operative. It was successfully launched last February 7th, onboard an Arianespace Ariane 5 ECA launcher from the European space base in Kourou, French Guiana. After its separation from the launch vehicle, the satellite started its systems and deployed its solar panels pointing them toward the sun, the satellite´s main source of energy. For seven days following the launch, five starts of its apogee motor took place to push it from the point where it separated from the launch rocket toward its geostationary orbit, and the deployment of its four communications antennas took place to point the satellite toward Earth to receive the signals sent from the ground. Afterwards, the maneuvers needed to position it where tests will be carried out, near its definitive orbit of 36,786km. over the Equator, and the communications mission equipment was activated. The Amazonas is now prepared to start its in-orbit tests.

The goal of these tests is to guarantee the satellite´s performance upon entering into service, forecast for next April. After passing the tests, the Amazonas 3 will be taken to its definitive position of 61 degrees West and will remain under the supervision of the technicians at HISPASAT Group´s control centers. It will be operated the HISPAMAR Satélites, the Group´s Brazilian affiliate. The new satellite will provide advanced telecommunications services, such as dissemination of TV platforms, deployment of corporate fixed and mobile telephone networks, broadband or integrated solutions for telecommunications operators.

The Amazonas 3 was built by Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto, California, with significant participation by Spain´s aerospace industry. It has 52 simultaneous transponders, 33 in Ku- and 19 in C-band, as well as 9 beams in Ka-band and aimpoint control in 3 beams that guarantees high aiming precision. The novel Ka-band payload positions the HISPASAT Group as the first operator in Latin America to open the door to the world of interactive services and multimedia applications via satellite. With a 15 year lifespan, the satellite will provide coverage to the American continent, Europe and North Africa from the Brazilian orbital position of 61 degrees West.