.jpg) Launch of AsiaSat 6 satellite on theFalcon 9 | |
| Names | Thaicom 7 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | AsiaSat |
| COSPAR ID | 2014-052A |
| SATCATno. | 40141 |
| Website | https://www.asiasat.com https://www.thaicom.net/ |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 11 years, 2 months and 16 days(in progress) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Asiasat 6 / Thaicom 7 |
| Spacecraft type | SSL 1300 |
| Bus | LS-1300LL |
| Manufacturer | Space Systems/Loral |
| Launch mass | 3,700 kg (8,200 lb)[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 7 September 2014, 05:00:00UTC |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 v1.1 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral,SLC-40 |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Entered service | November 2014 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit[2] |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 120° East |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 28C-band |
| Bandwidth | 36MHz |
| Coverage area | Asia, Australia, New Zealand |
AsiaSat 6 / Thaicom 7 is ageostationarycommunications satellite which is operated by theAsia Satellite Telecommunications Company (AsiaSat) and was launched into orbit on 7 September 2014. The satellite project was developed in cooperation between satellite operatorsAsiaSat andThaicom. AsiaSat owns half of the satellite's 28 transponders which are marketed as AsiaSat 6. The other half of the satellite is owned by Thaicom and is marketed as Thaicom 7. AsiaSat's part of the satellite is operated under license of the China (PRC), whereas Thaicom's part is operated under license of Thailand.
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), announced in November 2011 that it has been chosen by AsiaSat, to build the AsiaSat 6 andAsiaSat 8 communications satellites. AsiaSat 6 / Thaicom 7 was built bySpace Systems/Loral, and is based on theLS-1300LLsatellite bus.[3][4] The satellite carries 28C-bandtransponders and is positioned at alongitude of 120° East,[5] providing coverage over southernAsia, Australia and New Zealand.[6]
SpaceX was contracted to launch AsiaSat 6 / Thaicom 7 using aFalcon 9 v1.1launch vehicle. The launch took place fromSpace Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) atCape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) on 7 September 2014, at 01:00 AM EDT (05:00 UTC).[7]
The Falcon 9upper stage used to launch AsiaSat 6 / Thaicom 7 wasderelict in a decayingellipticallow Earth orbit from September to December 2014. Initially, on 9 September 2014, it orbited with aperigee of 165 km (103 mi) and anapogee of 35,723 km (22,197 mi). One month on, in October 2014, the orbit haddecayed to an altitude of 153 km (95 mi) at its closest approach toEarth, and by November 2014 had decayed to a 125 km (78 mi) perigee. The derelict second stagereentered the atmosphere on 28 December 2014.[8]
Satellite fleet operatorThaicom ofThailand has agreed in December 2011 to pay competitor AsiaSat US$171 million over 15 years for the use of one-half of an AsiaSat satellite and placed in a Thai orbital position in an arrangement that permits Thailand to preserve its rights to the orbital position under the agreement, the AsiaSat 6 satellite is at 120° East longitude. Before its launch, AsiaSat and Thaicom placed AsiaSat 2 as an interim satellite at 120° East to retain Thailand's regulatory rights to the orbital position.[4]
