Eutelsat 115 West B

Eutelsat 115 West B
NamesSatmex 7 (2012–2014)
Eutelsat 115 West B (2014–present)
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorEutelsat
COSPAR ID2015-010B[1]
SATCAT no.40425[1]
Mission duration15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
BusBoeing 702SP
ManufacturerBoeing
Launch mass4,861 pounds (2,205 kg)
Start of mission
Launch dateMarch 2, 2015, 03:50 (2015-03-02UTC03:50Z) UTC
RocketFalcon 9 v1.1
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-40
ContractorSpaceX
Entered serviceOctober 15, 2015[2]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude114.9° West
Perigee altitude35,793 kilometres (22,241 mi)[1]
Apogee altitude35,795 kilometres (22,242 mi)[1]
Inclination0.0 degrees[1]
Period1436.1 minutes[1]
Epoch19 March 2015, 01:45:59 UTC[1]
Transponders
Band34 Ku band, 12 C band

Eutelsat 115 West B (previously Satmex 7) is a communications satellite that is operated by Eutelsat, providing video, data, government, and mobile services for the Americas. The satellite was designed and manufactured by Boeing Space Systems, and is a Boeing 702SP model communication satellite. It is located at 115 degrees west longitude. It was launched on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 2 March 2015 (UTC time).

The satellite is solely propelled by electrically powered spacecraft propulsion, with the onboard thrusters used for both geostationary orbit insertion and station keeping.

The satellite had a launch mass of 4,861 pounds (2,205 kg).[3] It is notable for being the first[4] commercial communications satellite in orbit to use electric propulsion, providing a significant weight savings. Eutelsat 115 West B was launched with another Boeing 702SP satellite, ABS-3A, on the same rocket.

Eutelsat 115 West B is planned to be the first in a family of four satellites in the Eutelsat constellation. The satellite was scheduled for entry into service in November 2015, but entered service a month earlier than expected, in October 2015.[5][6]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "EUTE 115 WEST B (SATMEX 7 Satellite details 2015-010B NORAD 40425". N2YO. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference eutelsat20151015 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Bergin, Chris (25 February 2015). "Legless Falcon 9 Conducts Static Fire Ahead of Sunday Launch". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  4. ^ Clark, Stephen (1 March 2015). "Boeing's first two all-electric satellites ready for launch". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  5. ^ "Innovative satellites begin maneuvers with all-electric thrusters – Spaceflight Now".
  6. ^ "EUTELSAT 115 West B arrives in geostationary orbit". Eutelsat. 28 September 2015. Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.