Paksat-MM1 (original) (raw)

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PakSat-MM1 communications satellite

Paksat-MM1

Names AsiaSat 4 Paksat-MM1
Mission type Communications
Operator AsiaSat (2003–2017)PAKSAT (2018–2023)
COSPAR ID 2003-014A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no. 27718
Website https://www.asiasat.com
Mission duration 15 years (planned)21 years, 6 months and 14 days
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft AsiaSat 4
Spacecraft type Boeing 601
Bus HS-601HP
Manufacturer Hughes Space and Communications
Launch mass 4,137 kg (9,121 lb)
Dry mass 2,500 kg (5,500 lb)
Dimensions 3.4 m x 3.5 m x 5.8 mSpan: 26.2 m on orbit
Power 9.6 kW
Start of mission
Launch date 12 April 2003, 00:47:01 UTC
Rocket Atlas 3B SEC (AC-205)
Launch site Cape Canaveral, SLC-36B
Contractor Lockheed Martin
Entered service June 2003
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric orbit
Regime Geostationary orbit
Longitude 122° East (2003–2017)38° East (2018–present)
Transponders
Band 48 transponders:28 C-band20 Ku-band
Coverage area Asia, Pacific Ocean
AsiaSat constellationAsiaSat 3SAsiaSat 5Paksat constellationPaksat-1RPaksat-MM1R

Paksat-MM1 (formerly known as AsiaSat 4) was a leased communications satellite operated by SUPARCO, Pakistan's space agency. It was provided by Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company (AsiaSat), a Hong Kong–based satellite operator.[1]

Initially stationed at 122° East longitude, Paksat-MM1 was later relocated to 38.2° East to better serve Pakistan and the surrounding region. During most of its operational life at 122° East, it provided fixed satellite services, including broadcasting, audio, and data transmission, to Asia and the Pacific Ocean.[2]

Satellite description

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AsiaSat 4 was built by Hughes Space and Communications, for US$220 million, which by the time of its launch had become part of Boeing Satellite Systems. It is based on the HS-601HP satellite bus. At launch, it had a mass of 4,137 kg (9,121 lb),[2] and a design life of fifteen years. It carries twenty eight C-band and twenty Ku-band transponders.[2] It was planned for late 1999, but was delayed because of the Asian crisis. Construction started in September 2000.[3]

AsiaSat 4 was launched by an Atlas 3B SEC launch vehicle with the Centaur upper stage from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (SLC-36B) at 00:47:01 UTC on 12 April 2003.[4]

AsiaSat 4 was insured for launch and first year in orbit. The AsiaSat 4 was replaced by AsiaSat 9 in 2017.[5]

In February 2018 it was leased by PakSat International, a subsidiary of SUPARCO (Pakistan's space agency), from the Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company (AsiaSat) . Previously positioned at 122° East longitude, it was relocated to 38.2° East to serve Pakistan's needs. Paksat renamed it Paksat-MM1 (Paksat-Multi Mission 1) and began operations in March 2018.[2]

After the lease expired, the satellite was returned to China and relocated to 147.5° East. As of 29 August 2024 (according to flysat.com), it is no longer operational and has been replaced by PakSat-MM1R, a new satellite launched on 30 May 2024.[6]

  1. ^ "AsiaSat 4" (PDF). AsiaSat. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Krebs, Gunter (24 March 2018). "AsiaSat 4". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  3. ^ "AsiaSat 4". The Satellite Encyclopedia. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  4. ^ McDowell, Jonathan (14 March 2021). "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  5. ^ "AsiaSat 9". AsiaSat. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  6. ^ "PakSat MM1 reaches its earth orbit". Retrieved 8 June 2024.