| Operator | Inmarsat |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 2008-039A  |
| SATCAT no. | 33278 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | Eurostar E3000 |
| Manufacturer | EADS Astrium |
| Launch mass | 5,960 kilograms (13,140 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 18 August 2008 (2008-08-18) |
| Rocket | Proton-M/Briz-M |
| Launch site | Baikonur 200/39 |
| Contractor | ILS |
| Entered service | 7 January 2009 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 98° West |
Inmarsat-4 F3 is a communications I-4 satellite operated by the British satellite operator Inmarsat. It was launched into a geosynchronous orbit at 22:43 GMT on 18 August 2008,[1] by a Proton-M/Briz-M Enhanced carrier rocket. It is currently located at 97.65° West longitude, providing coverage of the Americas.[2] It entered service on 7 January 2009.
Like the earlier Inmarsat-4 F1 and F2 satellites, Inmarsat-4 F3 was constructed by EADS Astrium, using a Eurostar E3000 bus. It has a mass of 5,960 kilograms, and is expected to operate for 13 years.[3] It was originally slated for launch using an Atlas V 531, but was transferred to Proton due to a large backlog of Atlas launches.
In the United States, Inmarsat ground stations are licensed to operate at 1525-1559 MHz and 1626.5-1660.5 MHz. The 1544-1545 MHz and 1645.5-1646.5 MHz bands are reserved for safety and distress communications.[2]
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Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). | |
