AMC-18

{{Use American English|date=April 2021}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = AMC-18

| names_list = GE-18

| image =

| image_caption =

| image_size = 300px

| mission_type = Communications

| operator = SES Americom (2006–2009)
SES World Skies (2009–2011)
SES (2011–present)

| COSPAR_ID = 2006-054B

| SATCAT = 29644

| website = [https://www.ses.com/our-coverage#/explore/satellite/308 SES]

| mission_duration = 15 years (planned)
{{time interval|8 December 2006|show=ymd|sep=,}} (elapsed)

| spacecraft = GE-18

| spacecraft_type = Lockheed Martin A2100

| spacecraft_bus = LM-A2100A

| manufacturer = Lockheed Martin

| launch_mass = {{cvt|2081|kg}}

| dimensions =

| power =

| launch_date = 8 December 2006, 22:08 UTC{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt|title=Launch Log|publisher=Jonathan's Space Page|access-date=1 April 2021}}

| launch_rocket = Ariane 5ECA (VA174)

| launch_site = Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3

| launch_contractor = Arianespace

| entered_service = February 2007

| disposal_type =

| deactivated =

| last_contact =

| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit{{cite web|url=http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=29644|title=AMC-18 2006-054B 29644|publisher=N2YO.com|access-date=1 April 2021}}

| orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit

| orbit_longitude = 83° West

| apsis = gee

| trans_band = 24 C-band

| trans_frequency =

| trans_bandwidth = 36 MHz

| trans_capacity =

| trans_coverage = Canada, United States, Mexico, Caribbean

| programme = SES constellation

| previous_mission = AMC-16

| next_mission = AMC-21

}}

AMC-18 is a geostationary Lockheed Martin A2100A communications satellite owned by SES Americom. It was launched on 8 December 2006 from Centre Spatial Guyanais aboard an Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle and is situated at 83° West longitude, providing coverage of North America with twenty-four C-band transponders of 12–18 watts each. Future users in May 2007 include The CW Television Network, NASA TV and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, among other services.

AMC-18 is used by thousands of terrestrial radio stations for network feeds using ground equipment from Starguide, X-Digital Systems, Wegener and International Datacasting. Major tenants are Cumulus Media Networks Satellite Services (which includes Citadel Media, Westwood One Networks, Talk Radio Network, WOR Radio Network and others), Skyview Networks (which includes ABC News, ABC Radio, California News Network, Arizona News Network, numerous Professional and Collegian Sports networks, and others), Orbital Media Networks (which includes United Stations Radio Networks, John Tesh, and others), Premiere Radio Networks, Dial Global, Westwood One, Learfield Communications, The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show, etc.

The spacecraft can deliver and receive signals from 50 states of United States, the Caribbean and Mexico and has been designated as the third HD-PRIME satellite. Originally built as a ground spare to the AMC-10 and AMC-11 satellite program, AMC-18 is optimized for digital television distribution from the center of the U.S. orbital arc.{{cite web |url=http://www.ses.com/4628110/amc-18|title=AMC-18|publisher=SES|access-date=5 April 2021}} The satellite has an expected lifetime of at least 15 years.