AsiaSat 7
{{Short description|AsiaSat communications satellite}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = AsiaSat 7
| names_list = AsiaSat 5C
| image =
| image_caption =
| image_size = 300px
| mission_type = Communications
| operator = AsiaSat
| COSPAR_ID = 2011-069A
| SATCAT = 37933
| website = https://www.asiasat.com
| mission_duration = 15 years (planned)
{{time interval|25 November 2011|show=ymd}} (in progress)
| spacecraft = AsiaSat 7
| spacecraft_type = SSL 1300
| spacecraft_bus = LS-1300
| manufacturer = Space Systems/Loral
| launch_mass = {{cvt|3813|kg}}
| dry_mass =
| dimensions =
| power =
| launch_date = 25 November 2011,
19:10:34 UTC
| launch_rocket = Proton-M / Briz-M
| launch_site = Baikonur, Site 200/39
| launch_contractor = Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
| entered_service = January 2012
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| last_contact =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit{{cite web|url=http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=35696|title=ASIASAT 5|publisher=N2YO.com|access-date=5 May 2021}}
| orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit
| orbit_longitude = 105° East
| apsis = gee
| trans_band = 40 transponders:
26 C-band
14 Ku-band
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth =
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage = Asia, Pacific Ocean region
| programme = AsiaSat constellation
| previous_mission = AsiaSat 5
| next_mission = AsiaSat 8
}}
AsiaSat 7 is a Hong Kong communications satellite, which is operated by the Hong Kong–based Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company (AsiaSat). It is positioned in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 105° East of the Greenwich Meridian, where it serves as a back-up for the AsiaSat 5 satellite and replaced AsiaSat 3S.{{cite web |url=https://www.asiasat.com/satellite-fleet/asiasat-7 |title=Satellite Fleet - AsiaSat 5|publisher=AsiaSat|access-date=5 May 2021}} It is used to provide fixed satellite services, including broadcasting, telephone and broadband very small aperture terminal (VSAT) communications, to Asia and the Pacific Ocean region.{{cite web |url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/asiasat-5.htm|title=AsiaSat 5, 7 / Thaicom 6A |first=Gunter|last=Krebs|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|date=11 December 2017|access-date=5 May 2021}}
Satellite description
Space Systems/Loral and AsiaSat announced in May 2009, that it has been chosen to provide a new communications satellite, named AsiaSat 5C. In early 2010, the satellite was renamed AsiaSat 7. At launch, AsiaSat 7 had a mass of {{cvt|3813|kg}}, and was expected to operate for fifteen years. It carries 26 C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders.
Launch
AsiaSat 7 was built by Space Systems/Loral, and is based on the LS-1300 satellite bus. It is being launched by International Launch Services (ILS), using a Proton-M launch vehicle with a Briz-M upper stage. The launch was conducted from Site 200/39 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, at 19:10:34 UTC on 25 November 2011. The Briz-M separated from the Proton-M nine minutes and forty-one seconds into the flight, and AsiaSat 7 separated from the Briz-M into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) nine hours and thirteen minutes after liftoff.{{cite web|url=https://www.ilslaunch.com/asiasat-7-mission-success/ |title=AsiaSat 7 Mission Success|publisher=International Launch Services|date=25 November 2011|access-date=5 May 2021}} It then raises itself into its final geostationary orbit.
See also
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{AsiaSat}}
{{Chinese satellites}}
{{Orbital launches in 2011}}