AsiaSat 8
{{Short description|Asiasat communication satellite}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = AsiaSat 8 / AMOS-7
| names_list =
| image = Launch of Falcon 9 carrying ASIASAT 8 (16668638138).jpg
| image_caption = The launch of the Falcon 9 carrying AsiaSat 8.
| image_size = 300px
| mission_type = Communications
| operator = AsiaSat (2014–2017, 2025–present)
Spacecom (2017–2025)
| COSPAR_ID = 2014-046A
| SATCAT = 40107
| website = https://www.asiasat.com
https://www.amos-spacecom.com/
| mission_duration = Planned: 15 years Elasped:
{{time interval|5 August 2014|show=ymd}}
| spacecraft = AsiaSat 8
| spacecraft_type = SSL 1300
| spacecraft_bus = LS-1300
| manufacturer = Space Systems/Loral
| launch_mass = {{cvt|4535|kg}}
| dry_mass =
| dimensions =
| power = 8.5 kW
| launch_date = 5 August 2014, 08:00 UTC
| launch_rocket = Falcon 9 v1.1
| launch_site = Cape Canaveral, SLC-40
| launch_contractor = SpaceX
| entered_service = October 2014
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| last_contact =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit
| orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit
| orbit_longitude = 105.5° East (2014–2016)
4° West (2016–2025)
| apsis = gee
| trans_band = 25 transponders:
24 Ku-band
1 Ka-band
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth = 54 MHz
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage = Asia, Middle East
| programme = AsiaSat constellation
| previous_mission = AsiaSat 7
| next_mission = AsiaSat 6
| programme2 = Amos constellation
| previous_mission2 = AMOS-6
| next_mission2 = AMOS-17
}}
AsiaSat 8 then AMOS-7 is a Hong Kong-turned-Israeli geostationary communications satellite which is operated by the Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company (Asiasat).
Satellite description
AsiaSat 8 was built by Space Systems/Loral, and is based on the LS-1300 satellite bus.{{cite web|url=http://sslmda.com/html/satexp/asiasat8.html|title=AsiaSat 8 |publisher=Space Systems/Loral|access-date=22 July 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/asiasat-8.htm|title=AsiaSat 8|publisher=Gunter's Space Page |first=Gunter |last=Krebs|date=11 December 2017|access-date=5 May 2021}} The satellite carries twenty-four Ku-band transponders and one Ka-band payload, and was planned to be initially positioned above the equator,{{cite web|url=http://www.rapidtvnews.com/2014080634786/asiasat-8-launches-from-cape-canaveral.html|title=AsiaSat 8 launches from Cape Canaveral|publisher=Rapid TV News|access-date=5 May 2021}} at a longitude of 105.5° East,{{cite web|url=https://www.asiasat.com/satellite-fleet/asiasat-8|title=Satellite Fleet - AsiaSat 8|publisher=AsiaSat|access-date=5 May 2021}} providing coverage of southern and south-eastern Asia, China and the Middle East.{{cite web |url=http://www.satbeams.com/satellites?id=2592|title=Asiasat 8|publisher=SatBeams|access-date=5 May 2021}}
Launch
SpaceX was contracted to launch AsiaSat 8, using a Falcon 9 v1.1 launch vehicle. The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) on 5 August 2014 at 08:00 UTC.{{cite web|title=AsiaSat 8 Successfully Lifts Off|url=http://www.asiasat.com/asiasat/EN/upload/doc/pressrelease/news_e20140805.pdf|publisher=AsiaSat|date=5 August 2014|access-date=5 May 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119133755/http://www.asiasat.com/asiasat/EN/upload/doc/pressrelease/news_e20140805.pdf|archive-date=19 January 2015}}[http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/spacex_presskit.pdf SpaceX AsiaSat 8 Press Kit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119133624/http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/spacex_presskit.pdf |date=2015-01-19 }} 4 Aug 2014, accessed 5 Aug 2014
Falcon 9 upper stage
The Falcon 9 upper stage used to launch AsiaSat 8 is derelict in a decaying elliptical low Earth orbit that, {{asof|2014|08|13|lc=y}}, had an initial perigee of {{cvt|195|km}} and an initial apogee of {{cvt|35673|km}}. One month on, in September 2014, the orbit had decayed to an altitude of {{cvt|185|km}} at its closest approach to Earth, and by November 2014 had decayed to a {{cvt|169|km}} perigee.{{cite web|url=http://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=40108|title=FALCON 9 R/B|publisher=N2YO.com|access-date=5 May 2021}}
AMOS-7
In December 2016, Spacecom made a US$88 million four-year agreement with AsiaSat to lease AsiaSat 8 Ku-band. It is providing service at 4° West.{{cite news |url=http://spacenews.com/spacecom-borrowing-asiasat-8-to-cover-for-amos-6-satellite-lost-in-falcon-9-explosion/|title=Spacecom borrows AsiaSat 8 to cover for Amos-6 satellite lost in Falcon 9 explosion |publisher=SpaceNews|date=1 December 2016|access-date=5 May 2021}}
See also
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Falcon 9 Flight 11}}
{{AsiaSat}}
{{Israeli space program}}
{{Falcon rocket launches}}
{{Orbital launches in 2014}}
Category:Spacecraft launched in 2014
Category:SpaceX commercial payloads
Category:Satellites using the SSL 1300 bus