Eutelsat 113 West A
| Company type | Communications satellite |
|---|---|
| Industry | Satellite communications |
| Predecessor | Satmex-6 |
| Founded | May 27, 2006 |
| Founder | Satmex |
| Fate | Service discontinued on 2 February 2024 |
Area served | Americas, Hawaii, Caribbean |
| Products | Communications services |
| Owner | Eutelsat |
Eutelsat 113 West A Overview
Eutelsat 113 West A, initially launched as Satmex-6, is a communications satellite positioned in geostationary orbit. It is currently managed by Eutelsat. The satellite was originally developed for Mexico's Satmex and was deployed in 2006. Following Eutelsat's acquisition of Satmex in 2014, the satellite was rebranded as Eutelsat 113 West A in May of that year. This platform delivers communication services across the Americas, Hawaii, and the Caribbean regions.
Manufactured by Space Systems/Loral, Satmex-6 utilizes the LS-1300X satellite bus architecture. It carries 36 transponders operating in the G/H band (IEEE C band) and 24 transponders in the J band (IEEE Ku-band). At launch, its mass was approximately 5,456 kilograms (12,028 lb), with an anticipated functional lifespan of 15 years.
The launch was executed by Arianespace aboard an Ariane 5ECA rocket from the ELA-3 launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre. Liftoff took place at 21:09 UTC on 27 May 2006, deploying Satmex-6 alongside the Thaicom 5 satellite into a geosynchronous transfer orbit. This mission marked the heaviest dual-satellite payload ever sent to such an orbit at that time.
Post-launch, the spacecraft utilized its onboard apogee motor to reach its designated geostationary orbit, achieving insertion at 18:33 UTC on 31 May. After completing necessary testing, it was stationed at a longitude of 113° West to commence operational duties.
Eutelsat 113 West A provided reliable service for more than 17 years. However, on 31 January 2024, it encountered a technical anomaly that led Eutelsat to announce the discontinuation of its services effective two days afterward.
See also
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