| Names | Eutelsat W6A (pre-launch) Eutelsat 21B (2012–present) |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communication |
| Operator | Eutelsat |
| COSPAR ID | 2012-062B |
| SATCATno. | 38992 |
| Website | www |
| Mission duration | 15 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | Spacebus 4000C3 |
| Manufacturer | Thales Alenia Space |
| Launch mass | 5,012 kilograms (11,050 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 10 November 2012, 21:05:07 (2012-11-10UTC21:05:07Z) UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 5ECA |
| Launch site | KourouELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 21.5° East (2012–present) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 40 Ku-band |
Eutelsat 21B, previously known asEutelsat W6A, is a Frenchcommunications satellite. Operated byEutelsat, it providesdirect to home broadcasting services fromgeostationary orbit at a longitude of 21.5 degrees east. It replaced theEutelsat 21A spacecraft which was launched in 1999.
Eutelsat 21B was constructed byThales Alenia Space, and is based on theSpacebus-4000C3satellite bus. It had a mass at launch of 5,012 kilograms (11,050 lb) and is expected to operate for at least 15 years. The satellite carries 40 Ku-bandtransponders,[1] which are used to broadcastsatellite television andradio to Europe, North Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East.[2]
Eutelsat 21B was originally ordered asEutelsat W6A, as part of theW Series of satellites - the satellite it was to replace was at the time named Eutelsat W6. In 2012, several months before its scheduled launch, W6A was renamed Eutelsat 21B. Its launch was conducted byArianespace using anAriane 5ECA carrier rocket, as part of a dual launch with the BrazilianStar One C3 satellite.[3] The launch took place fromELA-3 atKourou,French Guiana, at 21:05:07 UTC on 10 November 2012.[4] The spacecraft was deployed intogeosynchronous transfer orbit,raising itself to its operationalgeostationary orbit by means of itsS400apogee motor.
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