MEASAT-3a
MEASAT-3a[1] is a communications satellite which MEASAT Satellite Systems intends to operate in geosynchronous orbit at 91.5 degrees East longitude. It was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, based on the STAR-2 spacecraft platform.[2]
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | MEASAT Satellite Systems |
| COSPAR ID | 2009-032A |
| SATCAT no. | 35362 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | STAR-2 |
| Manufacturer | OSC |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 21 June 2009, 21:50 UTC |
| Rocket | Zenit-3SLB |
| Launch site | Baikonur 45/1 |
| Contractor | Land Launch |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 91.5° East |
History
Orbital completed the satellite and all of its contractual requirements, and shipped the satellite to its Baikonur, Kazakhstan launch site in July 2008. The satellite was mated to the Block DM upper stage of the Zenit-3SLB rocket when it was struck by the operator cab of the overhead crane. The hazardous propellants were successfully offloaded and the spacecraft was decontaminated and returned to the United States for repair work and additional testing, with a projected launch date of Spring/Summer 2009.[3]
Launch
MEASAT-3a was successfully launched aboard a Land Launch Zenit-3SLB carrier rocket flying from Site 45/1 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The launch occurred at 21:50 GMT on 21 June 2009, with the spacecraft separating from the Block DM-SLB upper stage of the rocket around six hours later.
References
- "MEASAT-3a". MEASAT. Archived from the original on 2014-10-16. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
- "Current Mission: MEASAT-3a". Sea Launch. Archived from the original on August 20, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
- "Crane Damages MEASAT 3A At Baikonur | AVIATION WEEK". www.aviationweek.com. Archived from the original on 2011-05-21.