| Names | Affordable Modular Optimized Satellite-1 Intelsat 24 IS-24 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | Spacecom Satellite Communications (1996–2009) Intelsat (2009–2012) |
| COSPAR ID | 1996-030B |
| SATCATno. | 23865 |
| Website | https://www.amos-spacecom.com/satellites/ |
| Mission duration | 12 years (planned) 16 years (achieved) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | AMOS-1 |
| Bus | AMOS Bus |
| Manufacturer | Israel Aerospace Industries |
| Launch mass | 961 kg (2,119 lb) |
| Dry mass | 580 kg (1,280 lb) |
| Dimensions | 2.33 m × 2.39 m × 2.07 m (7 ft 8 in × 7 ft 10 in × 6 ft 9 in) Span: 10.55 m (34.6 ft) on orbit |
| Power | 1380watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 16 May 1996, 01:56:29UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 44L H10-3 (V86) |
| Launch site | Centre Spatial Guyanais,Kourou,ELA-2 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Entered service | 1 July 1996 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Graveyard orbit |
| Deactivated | July 2012 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 4° West (1996–2008) 47.3° East (2009–2011) 31° East (2011–2012) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 7 (+ 2 spares)Ku-band |
| Bandwidth | 72MHz |
| Coverage area | Europe,Israel,Middle East |
AMOS-2 → | |
AMOS-1, thenIntelsat 24, was a commercialcommunications satellite which was operated bySpacecom as AMOS-1, forAffordable Modular Optimized Satellite and formed part of theAMOS series of satellites. It was the firstIsraeli civilian communications satellite, and was initially positioned at 4° Westlongitude ingeostationary orbit.[1] Then in September 2011, it was moved to 31° East.[2]
Its development was based on experience fromOfeqreconnaissance satellites in association withDASA andAlcatel Espace. It was used for home television services (DTH/DBS by "Yes" company inIsrael and byHBO and others in Europe). Spacecom succeeded quickly to fill all transmission abilities of AMOS-1 and accumulated additional requests. Therefore, Spacecom decided to buildAMOS-2, which replaced AMOS-1 on orbit at 4° West. AMOS-1 carries nineKu-bandtransponders.[3]
Weighing 970 kg at launch, AMOS-1 incorporated a 400newtonsliquid apogee motor and fourteenreaction control thrusters, each delivering ten newtons of thrust for raising the satellite's orbit fromgeostationary transfer orbit (GTO) to its finalgeostationary orbit as well as for itsattitude control. It carried 450 kg of propellant (Monomethylhydrazine andMON-3). AMOS-1 measures 10.55 m in length in its final in-orbit configuration. It is3-axis body stabilised usingSun andEarthsensors,momentum andreaction wheels. Its solar array generates 1380watts power, backed up by 24A·hnickel–cadmium batteries. Cost: US$250 million. The Israeli government supports the program since 1991 with US$15 million per year.[2]
It was launched on 16 May 1996 fromCentre Spatial Guyanais,Kourou inFrench Guiana, aboard anAriane 4launch vehicle flying in the 44L configuration, which launched together withIndonesianPalapa-C2 satellite using Ariane 4's SPELDA system that can launch two satellites stacked on top of another. After its launch, it was raised to its final geostationary orbit by firing the apogee boost motor in phases. After it reached the geostationary orbit, its antennae andsolar panels were deployed and the satellite was placed in its allocated slot at 4° West longitude. AMOS-1 and AMOS-2 were placed near each other to enablesatellite users to aim once and reach either satellite from the sameantenna.[4] Launch was insured for over US$145 million. The satellite AMOS-1 was operational on 1 July 1996.[2]
In 2009, AMOS-1 was sold toIntelsat, and became Intelsat 24 (IS-24).[5] Intelsat moved it over theMiddle East, put it into an inclined orbit to conserve fuel, and rented its capacity toTachyon Networks for U.S. military communications.[1]
