Eutelsat W2M / Hotbird 9 launch details

Analoguesat

Analoguesat

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The Hot Bird™ 9 and W2M satellites of Eutelsat Communications are on track for launch on 20 December on an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from the Kourou Space Centre in French Guiana. Both satellites are ready for launch and installed under the fairing of the launcher which will take them into orbit on Saturday within a launch window opening at 2151 UTC and closing at 2250 UTC.

With Hot Bird™ 9 and W2M, Eutelsat is implementing a far-reaching investment programme of seven satellites to expand, renew and secure its in-orbit resources. The launch of two satellites in 2008 will be followed by three further launches in 2009 (Hot Bird™ 10, W2A and W7) and two in 2010 (KA-SAT, W3B), raising the Group’s overall capacity from 501 to 664 operating transponders, excluding S-band and Ka-band capacity.
Built by EADS Astrium, Hot Bird™ 9 will be located at Eutelsat’s premium video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East. With almost 1,100 TV channels delivered to 120 million homes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, Eutelsat’s Hot Bird™ position constitutes a world-leading neighbourhood in terms of channels broadcast. Equipped with 64 transponders, it marks a new step in a programme of three identical high-capacity satellites providing full redundancy for the 102 transponders operated at 13 degrees East. Hot Bird™ 9 will join Hot Bird™ 8 which was launched in 2006.
Built by EADS Astrium / ISRO (Indian Space Agency), W2M will be located at Eutelsat’s 16 degrees East position, which with seven anchor pay-TV platforms and almost 400 digital channels is one of the fastest-growing broadcasting neighbourhoods in central Europe and Indian Ocean islands. Operating up to 30 Ku-band transponders, the new satellite will replace Eutelsat’s W2 spacecraft and bring new capacity to 16 degrees East for further service expansion.
The launch can be watched live on Eutelsat’s website (www.eutelsat.com) and also via satellite as a free-to-air signal from two key Eutelsat video neighbourhoods:



Hot Bird™ at 13 degrees East
  • Frequency: 10 853 MHz
  • Polarisation: Horizontal
  • Symbol rate: 27.500 Msymbol/s
  • FEC 3/4
Atlantic Bird™ 3 at 5 degrees West
  • Frequency: 12 543 MHz
  • Polarisation: Horizontal
  • Symbol rate: 27.500 Msymbol/s
  • FEC: 3/4
(Source: Eutelsat)
 
Cheers for that Ross.Any idea of the footprint details?I know you say Indian Ocean,but what about other beams?PS.Like the hat and glasses.Are they some sort of disguise?:-worship
 
Cheers for that m8.Yes I did.A bit like those you posted on here with the screengrab.All the best for 2009:-bubbly
 
Pre launch coverage now up and running on 10853H 27500 3/4 on 13E

Channel is tagged as "Ariane Launch", and lift off is a couple of hours away :)
 
Yup another flawless Arianespace launch. Both satellites safely delivered to orbit, and Hotbird 9 will replace 7A at 13E. 7A will go to 9E to strengthen that slot.
 
does,this w2m satellite,replace,the old one on 16e with the very weak reunion beam?
 
Yes W2 is to be retired from 16E. W2M still has a Reunion beam though :)
 
Will they be any frequencies changes for Rai or any of the italian channels?
 
Eutelsat W2M suffered a major anomaly affecting the satellite’s power subsystem. This anomaly occurred during the satellite’s transfer from the location used for in-orbit tests to its operating position at 16 degrees East where its mission was to replace well in advance Eutelsat’s W2 satellite. In the interests of protecting continuity of service for clients leasing capacity at the 16 degrees East position, Eutelsat has consequently taken the decision that in the current circumstances W2M will not be integrated into Eutelsat’s satellite fleet. Currently under the control of ISRO, the satellite is undergoing a full technical investigation by ISRO and EADS.
 
W2M suffered a failure in its charging circuits. The bird is fully operational apart from it cant be powered when shes in eclipse at the equinoxes, and is currently parked close to 9E. I'd expect to see her powered up for feeds in the not too distant future.
 
Analoguesat said:
W2M suffered a failure in its charging circuits. The bird is fully operational apart from it cant be powered when shes in eclipse at the equinoxes, and is currently parked close to 9E. I'd expect to see her powered up for feeds in the not too distant future.
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I'll drink to that .
 
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