Ariane 5 Launches PAS 1R and Three Other Satellites

An Ariane 5 successfully launched PAS 1R, Amsat Phase 3D and two small British defense research microsatellites from CSG, Kourou, pad ELA 3, at 0107 UTC (5:07 PST, November 15) on November 16. PAS 1R is a telecommunication satellite owned by PanAmSat Corporation. Amsat Phase 3D is an amateur radio spacecraft.

The 4793 kg (10,545 lbm) PAS-1R satellite uses a Boeing Satellite System BSS 702 bus. PAS-1R will be positioned in geostationary orbit at 45°W. The 36 C-band transponders will use 34-watt and 55-watt power amplifiers for general telecommunication traffic such as voice, data and television relay. The 36 Ku-band transponders will use 125-watt and 140-watt amplifiers for direct-to-user services. The new satellite will replace the PAS-1 satellite, almost tripling the transponder capacity currently at the 45°W orbital slot. The satellite is designed for a life of 15 years, with an expected 14.7 kW of power available at end of life. The stowed dimensions of the satellite are 6.2 m x 3.8 m x 3.4 m (20.3 ft x 12.5 ft x 11.2 ft).

The 630 kg (1386 lbm) Amsat Phase 3D is the largest amateur radio satellite built to date. It will be placed in an elliptical orbit of 4,000 km by 47,700 km, having an inclination of 63 degrees. Amsat P3D carries five radio receivers and eight transmitters, as well as a complement of experiments and experimental propulsion systems. It is expected to have a life of 10 years. At the beginning of its life it is expected to generate 620 watts of power. The Organization for Amateur Radio Satellites (AMSAT) project involved HAM radio operators from Belgium, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, South Africa, and the United States. AMSAT Deutschland was the satellite prime contractor. The stowed dimensions of the satellite are 2.23 m x 2.23 m x .68 m.

The 100 kg (220 lbm) STRV 1C and 100 kg (220 lbm) STRV 1D are nearly identical spacecraft. They will be placed in a 590 km by 39,248 km orbit, with an inclination of 6.5 degrees to the equator. After spacecraft separation, the two STRV spacecraft will do no maneuvering. The cubic craft will spin at around 10 degrees per second, enough to keep the satellite stable. The satellites are designed to operate for 1 year. Each of satellites are expected to have 80 watts of power at the beginning of their life. The two spacecraft will test a series of new systems and theories. The STRV satellites will be the first satellites to operate using a lithium ion battery, will test a new secure communications system, will demonstrate a new Internet-based communications system, and will be the first satellites to evaluate the signal from GPS satellites from a higher orbit. The United Kingdom Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) built and operates the two satellites. Additional sponsors of the mission include the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, the United States Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, the United States Air Force, ESA, and Canada. The stowed dimensions of each satellite are .7 m x .7 m x .7 m.

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