AsiaStar

AsiaStar is an American communications satellite which was operated by 1worldspace. It was constructed by Matra Marconi Space with Alcatel Space based on the Eurostar E2000+ bus design. Launch occurred on 21 March 2000, at 23:29:00 UTC. The launch was contracted by Arianespace, and used an Ariane 5G carrier rocket flying from ELA-3 at the Centre Spatial Guyanais. The INSAT-3B satellite was launched on the same rocket.

AsiaStar
Mission typeCommunications
Operator1worldspace
COSPAR ID2000-016A
SATCAT no.26107
Mission duration12 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
BusEurostar E2000+
ManufacturerMatra Marconi Space
Alcatel Space
Launch mass2777 kg
Dry mass1530 kg
Power5600 watts
Start of mission
Launch date21 March 2000, 23:29:00 UTC
RocketAriane 5G
Launch siteKourou, ELA-3
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric [1]
RegimeGeostationary
Longitude105.0° East
Perigee altitude35776 km
Apogee altitude35811 km
Inclination0.06°
Period1436.16 minutes
Epoch23 January 2015, 21:10:09 UTC
 

Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 105.0° East, from where it provides mobile communications services to Asia. It carries three transponders, and has an expected on-orbit lifespan of 12 years. The satellite had a weight of 2777 kg, and 5.6 kW of power, and three-axis stabilized; has relayed digital radio broadcasts to East Asia.

On 31 December 2009, Worldspace ceased broadcasting on the Asiastar satellite in line with its bankruptcy issues. However, as of 30 November 2010, two Free to Air (unencrypted) stations are still available, namely Sai Global Harmony and Radio France International. In 2010, the ownership of the AsiaStar satellite as well as other assets of the 1worlspace company were bought by Noah A. Samara (former CEO of 1worldspace) and by his new company Yazmi USA.

The AsiaStar satellite was acquired by in late 2014 by New York Broadband LLC and used as an orbital placeholder for their planned Silkwave 1 (originally NYBBSat-1) satellite. As of 2020, Silkwave 1 has not been launched.[2][3]

References

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