Alcatel Space → Alcatel Alenia Space → Thales Alenia Space: Spacebus-3000/4000 C-Class (original) (raw)
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APStar 6 (Spacebus-4000C2) [Alcatel]
AMC 12 (Spacebus-4000C3) [Alcatel]
Ciel 2 (Spacebus-4000C4) [Alcatel]
The Spacebus C-Class satellite busses are an enlarged version of the Spacebus-3000/4000 B-Class versions. The Spacebus 4000 is a medium-class telecommunications satellite (launch mass from 3000 kg for the B3 version to 5900 kg for the C4 version) with a strong successful flight heritage and proposed with a realistic and safe manufacturing schedule. It can easily accommodate a large range of payloads in every band (Ku, C, Ka, X, S, L) to satisfy customer needs.
The Spacebus 4000 expands the Thales Alenia Space portfolio of solutions to meet all the demands of its customers. Spacebus 4000 can support satellites weighing up to six metric tons and delivering 16 kW of power with 120 onboard transponders. At the same time, they need more flexible satellites able to fulfill a variety of missions. To guarantee compatibility with high-power performance, Thales Alenia Space has also developed the new generation Avionics 4000 based on a 100 Volt power bus. Flexible, modular and fully integrated with a central onboard computer, it is a world's first to launch an AOCS (Attitude and Orbit Control System) with a built-in star tracker for use in Geostationary Earth Orbit. The Spacebus 4000 is designed to accommodate the communications services of tomorrow, such as High Definition TV and broadband multimedia.
Key Features
- Telecommunications satellite; launch mass from 3000 to 5900 kg; Solar Array power up to 15,8 kW
- Payload power up to 11,6 kW, typically 80 to 100 active channels with medium RF power (105/110W in Ku band); standard equipment and system designs available in Ku/C and Ka frequency bands; other frequency bands (X, S, L) can be proposed
- Realistic and safe manufacturing schedule (typically 27 � 33 months on ground delivery); attractive price
- Accommodation antenna (from 2.4 m to 3.2 × 2.4 m); Flight proven units (payload and platform)
- Design, manufacturer and test with an experienced teams for system and equipment management
- Launch capability demonstrated with all available launchers
- Avionics 4000: 100V bus
Reliability
Following failures of Spacebus-3000/4000 C-class models have occured:
- Eutelsat W3B developed a sizeable leak in the oxidizer tank directly after launch and was declared a total loss.
Further Aerospatiale / Alcatel / Thales Alenia and Alenia Spazio / Thales Alenia Space