| Mission type | Communications |
|---|---|
| Operator | Eutelsat |
| COSPAR ID | 2017-029B[1] |
| SATCATno. | 42741[1] |
| Website | Eutelsat 172B |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 7 years, 9 months and 16 days (elapsed)[2] |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | Eurostar-3000 EOR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Defence and Space |
| Launch mass | 3,551 kg (7,829 lb) |
| Power | 13kW[3] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | June 1, 2017 (2017-06-01) |
| Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA |
| Launch site | Guiana Space Centre |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 172° E |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 14C band transponders 36Ku band transponders Ku band[2] |
| Coverage area | Asia-Pacific |
Eutelsat 172B is a Frenchcommunications satellite built byAirbus Defence and Space and operated byEutelsat Communications. Launched on June 1, 2017, it has an expected service life of 15 years. Its orbit along withEutelsat 172A allows it to cover the Asia-Pacific region, providing enhanced broadband and broadcast services.
Eutelsat 172B's satellite bus is theEurostar E3000. It has a launch mass of 3,551 kg (7,829 lb) and has two deployable solar panels.[2][3][4] The satellite also uses the Fakel SPT140Delectric propulsion thrusters for initial orbit raising and laterorbit station-keeping. It took four months to go to desired altitude, however, it consumed six times less propellant than if usingchemical propellant.[3][4][5] The satellite has fourteenC band, thirty-six regularKu band transponders, and a high-throughputKu band.[2][6]
Eutelsat 172B launched fromGuiana Space Centre on June 1, 2017, at 23:45UTC, on board anAriane 5 ECA rocket along withViaSat-2.[7] After launch, Eutelsat 172B used its propulsion system to raise itself into a geostationary orbit over a period of four months. It was placed at a longitude of 172° E, hence its name. Its longitude allows it to serve users in the Asia-Pacific region.[1][3][4]