Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. 24/7 Space News .




SPACEMART
First Astrium Eurostar satellite sets in-orbit longevity record
by Staff Writers
London, UK (SPX) May 08, 2013


File image.

The first Eurostar satellite, Inmarsat-2 F1, designed and built by Astrium, Europe's leading space technology company, was retired from operational service this week and safely decommissioned after it had completed a long and flawless mission in geostationary orbit. It operated for 22.5 years - far outliving its projected life-span of 10 years.

Launched in October 1990, Inmarsat 2 F1 was the first ever Astrium's Eurostar satellite, and the first commercial satellite in the world to rely entirely on a digital system which could be reprogrammed in orbit.

Operators benefited from a new concept in the ease of satellite operations, with solar sailing and autonomy providing a much reduced risk of operational errors, resulting in an excellent availability record for this class of satellite.

Inmarsat-2 F1 was the first of a series of four Eurostar E1000 satellites built for Inmarsat.

All four spacecraft have far exceeded their design requirements, largely surpassing their 10 years design lifetime in orbit: Inmarsat 2 F3 and F4 were safely decommissioned after more than 15 and 20 years of operation respectively, and F2 is still in operation more than 22 years after its launch in March 1991.

Eric Beranger, Astrium Satellites CEO, commented: "The 22.5 years longevity of Inmarsat-2 F1, initially designed for a 10 year lifetime, is a great achievement that demonstrates the expertise of Inmarsat operations and Astrium engineering/support teams.

The Eurostar platform has evolved over the years, the performance and capacity have been considerably enhanced, more than 15 year lifetime now, but more than ever our star product relies on the strong design ability, quality processes and organization that are key to ensure the reliability of our products."

Eurostar is Astrium's flagship workhorse product for geostationary communications satellites, on which many successful satellites have been built, including the highly sophisticated Inmarsat-4 constellation which delivers broadband services at a global scale, high capacity broadcast and broadband satellites for leading operators worldwide, as well as the Skynet 5 secure military communications satellites.

A total of 54 Eurostar satellites have been successfully launched to date and have proven highly reliable in orbit.

None has ever been lost in orbit. 13 have been retired from operational service after having successfully completed their mission, exceeding their design lifetime by an average of 79%. 41 are still in service, including 10 operating beyond their design lifetime by an average of 27%.

Altogether, the Astrium Eurostar satellites have accumulated more than 470 years of successful operation in orbit, including 125 years for the most advanced Eurostar E3000 model introduced in orbit in 2004 and now a best seller in its class.

Astrium delivered and launched an average of more than four Eurostar E3000 satellites per year during the last five years and is expected to do so in the next years: 12 Eurostar E3000 satellites are currently at various stages of production in Astrium facilities.

.


Related Links
Astrium
The latest information about the Commercial Satellite Industry






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








SPACEMART
Astrium-built SES-6 satellite shipped to launch site
London, UK (SPX) May 08, 2013
SES-6 satellite, designed and manufactured for satellite operator SES by Astrium, Europe's leading space technology company, has begun its journey to space. It left Astrium's facility in Toulouse, France, after completion of its final integration and test campaign and is now en route to Baikonur, Kazakhstan, in preparation for its launch on a Proton vehicle. Based on the highly reliable Eu ... read more


SPACEMART
Scientists Use Laser to Find Soviet Moon Rover

Characterizing The Lunar Radiation Environment

Russia rekindles Moon exploration program, intends setting up first human outposts there

Pre-existing mineralogy may survive lunar impacts

SPACEMART
New analysis suggests wind, not water, formed mound on Mars

India to have five rocket launches, including Mars mission, in 2013

Every dollar must go to bridge gaps to Mars: NASA

Dream of Mars exploration achievable, experts say

SPACEMART
Glow-in-the-Dark Plants on the ISS

Russia Confirms Plans to Send Sarah Brightman to Space

Success Continues as NASA's Orion Parachute Tests Get More Difficult

Russia has no rivals in space tourism

SPACEMART
China launches communications satellite

On Course for Shenzhou 10

Yuanwang III, VI depart for space-tracking missions

Shenzhou's Shadow Crew

SPACEMART
NASA to pay Russia $424 mln more for lift into space

NASA Extends Crew Flight Contract with Russian Space Agency

Cargo spaceship docks with ISS despite antenna mishap

ISS Communications Test Bed Checks Out; Experiments Begin

SPACEMART
Angara Rocket Launch Delayed to 2014

ESA's Vega launcher scores new success with Proba-V

European Vega rocket launch delayed due to weather

First of Four Sounding Rockets Launched from the Marshall Islands

SPACEMART
The Great Exoplanet Debate

NASA's Spitzer Puts Planets in a Petri Dish

Two New Exoplanets Detected with Kepler, SOPHIE and HARPS-N

Astronomer studies far-off worlds through 'characterization by proxy'

SPACEMART
Electrolysis method described for making 'green' iron

Do-it-yourself invisibility with 3D printing

More effective, cheaper concrete manufactured with ash from olive residue biomass

World's First Full Color 3D Desktop Printer




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement