| Names | GE-21 Americom-21 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | SES Americom (2008–2009) SES World Skies (2009–2011) SES (2011-present) |
| COSPAR ID | 2008-038B |
| SATCATno. | 33275 |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 17 years, 2 months, 4 days (elapsed) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | GE-21 |
| Bus | STAR-2[1] |
| Manufacturer | Thales Alenia Space (prime) Orbital Sciences (bus) |
| Launch mass | 2,473 kg (5,452 lb) |
| Dry mass | 1,161 kg (2,560 lb) |
| Power | 4.4kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 14 August 2008, 20:44UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA |
| Launch site | Centre Spatial Guyanais,ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Entered service | September 2008 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 125° West[2] |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 24Ku-band |
| Bandwidth | 36MHz |
| Coverage area | Canada,United States,Mexico,Caribbean,Central America |
AMC-21, orGE-21, is an Americancommunications satellite operated bySES S.A., formerlySES World Skies andSES Americom. It was launched in August 2008 and is expected to remain in service for approximately 15 years. It is currently located at 125° West longitude.
AMC-21 is based on aSTAR-2satellite bus that provides 4.4kilowatts of power for the communications payload. The platform will support a 15-year on-orbit mission life.[3] It carries 24Ku-bandtransponders at 36MHz, which will be used to broadcast television signals toCanada,United States,Mexico, theCaribbean, andCentral America.[2]
Thales Alenia Space was the prime contractor for AMC-21, and provided the satellite's communications payload. The STAR-2 bus was subcontracted toOrbital Sciences Corporation, as were integration and testing of the satellite.[3] As prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space delivered the completed satellite to SES Americom.[4]
AMC-21 was launched, along with theSuperbird-7 satellite, by anAriane 5 ECA launch vehicle on 14 August 2008 at 20:44UTC.[5] The satellite separated from the launch vehicle in ageosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). An onboardIHI-500 N (IHI-BT4)engine then raised it to an operationalgeostationary orbit and placed it at a longitude of 125° West of theGreenwich Meridian.[1] After successful completion of in-orbit testing, SES Americom took operational control of AMC-21 in September 2008.[6]
In September 2009,SES Americommerged with SES New Skies to formSES World Skies, to which all of its operational satellites, including AMC-21, were transferred.