Brasilsat B1
Encyclopedia
Brasilsat B1 is a Brazilian communications satellite launched on August 10, 1994, by an Ariane
rocket
model 44L at Kourou
in French Guiana
.
and is classified as a second generation satellite. It is larger and more powerful than the previous generation of satellites.
The Boeing Company contracted the acquisition of three satellites from Hughes Electronics Corporation. As part of the contract, Hughes would divide the work with Promon Engenharia SA of São Paulo
. Brasilsat B1 and B2 were tested by the Institute of Space Research - INPE of São José dos Campos
, Brasilsat B3 and B4 were tested in the Hughes laboratories.
The contract also included renovation of sensor equipment and telemetry
, provided by Guaratiba Center for Satellite Signaling, located in Rio de Janeiro
, as well as automation and installation of security equipment in the Tanguá Control Station.
. Brasilsat B3 is currently at 75.0ºW.
Of the four Brasilsat satellites, only B3 and B4 are currently transmitting signals.
Ariane (rocket)
Ariane is a series of a European civilian expendable launch vehicles for space launch use. The name comes from the French spelling of the mythological character Ariadne....
rocket
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
model 44L at Kourou
Kourou
Kourou is a commune in French Guiana, an overseas region and department of France located in South America.Kourou is the location of the Guiana Space Centre, France and ESA's main spaceport.-Geography:...
in French Guiana
French Guiana
French Guiana is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It has borders with two nations, Brazil to the east and south, and Suriname to the west...
.
History
It was constructed by the US and BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and is classified as a second generation satellite. It is larger and more powerful than the previous generation of satellites.
The Boeing Company contracted the acquisition of three satellites from Hughes Electronics Corporation. As part of the contract, Hughes would divide the work with Promon Engenharia SA of São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
. Brasilsat B1 and B2 were tested by the Institute of Space Research - INPE of São José dos Campos
São José dos Campos
São José dos Campos is a municipality and a major city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil and one of the most important industrial and research centers in Latin America. It is located in the Paraíba Valley, between the two most active production and consumption regions in the country, São Paulo ...
, Brasilsat B3 and B4 were tested in the Hughes laboratories.
The contract also included renovation of sensor equipment and telemetry
Telemetry
Telemetry is a technology that allows measurements to be made at a distance, usually via radio wave transmission and reception of the information. The word is derived from Greek roots: tele = remote, and metron = measure...
, provided by Guaratiba Center for Satellite Signaling, located in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro (state)
Rio de Janeiro is one of the 27 states of Brazil.Rio de Janeiro has the second largest economy of Brazil behind only São Paulo state.The state of Rio de Janeiro is located within the Brazilian geopolitical region classified as the Southeast...
, as well as automation and installation of security equipment in the Tanguá Control Station.
Current status
In March 2007, Brasilsat B1 was moved from its former orbital position at 70.0ºW to 68.0ºW and replaced by Brasilsat B4. On June 2, 2008 Brasilsat B4 was moved from its new position to 84.0ºW and replaced at 70.0ºW by Star One C2Star One C2
Star One C2 is a Brazilian communications satellite. It was launched on 18 April 2008 by an Ariane 5ECA carrier rocket, as part of a dual-payload launch with Vinasat-1. It was built by Thales Alenia Space, based on the Spacebus-3000B3 satellite bus...
. Brasilsat B3 is currently at 75.0ºW.
Of the four Brasilsat satellites, only B3 and B4 are currently transmitting signals.
Main Characteristics
- Original Orbital Position: 70,0º W
- Current Orbital Position: 68.0ºW (Inactive)
- Coverage: Brazil
- Transponders: 28 C-Band
- Downlink Frequencies: 5850 - 6425 MHz
- Uplink Frequency: 3625 - 4200 MHz
- Launch Date: August 10, 1994
- Model: Hughes HS 376 W
- Launch location/vehicle: ArianespaceArianespaceArianespace SA is a French company founded in 1980 as the world's first commercial space transportation company. It undertakes the production, operation, and marketing of the Ariane 5 rocket launcher as part of the Ariane programme....
/ Ariane 44 LP - Planned Life of satellite: 12 years