PAS-6
PAS-6 was a communications satellite owned by PanAmSat and serving the South America market.
| Names | PANAMSAT 6 Panamsat 6 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | PanAmSat (1997-2004) |
| COSPAR ID | 1997-040A |
| SATCAT no. | 24891 |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) 7 years (achieved) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | SSL 1300 |
| Bus | LS-1300 |
| Manufacturer | Space Systems/Loral |
| Launch mass | 3,420 kg (7,540 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 8 August 1997, 06:46:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 44P H10-3 (V98) |
| Launch site | Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Entered service | October 1997 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | Graveyard orbit |
| Deactivated | April 2004 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit[1] |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 45° West |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 36 Ku-band |
| Coverage area | South America, Brazil |
Satellite description
PAS-6 was constructed by Space Systems/Loral, based on the LS-1300 satellite bus. It had a mass at launch of 3,420 kg (7,540 lb). Designed for an operational life of 15 years, the spacecraft was equipped with 36 Ku-band transponders.[2]
Launch
Arianespace launched PAS-6, using an Ariane 4 launch vehicle, flight number V98, in the Ariane 44P H10-3 configuration. The launch took place from ELA-2 at the Centre Spatial Guyanais, at Kourou in French Guiana, on 8 August 1997, at 06:46:00 UTC.[2]
Decommissioning
On 17 March 2004, PAS-6 suffered an anomaly resulting in a loss of power. Then PanAmSat moved the satellite to a storage orbit while the PanAmSat and SS/L evaluated the problem. On 1 April 2004, this satellite experienced another anomaly and more significant loss of power. PAS-6 was put in graveyard orbit.[2]