Aerospatiale -> Alcatel Space -> Alcatel Alenia Space -> Thales Alenia Space: Spacebus-3000/4000 B-Class

Eutelsat W1 (Spacebus 3000B2) [Alcatel]    AMC 9 (Spacebus 3000B3) [Alcatel]

The Spacebus 3000/-4000 B-Class family offers a full range of satellite solutions for fixed, mobile et broadcasting services. It is offered with two kinds of avionic suites, which are called Spacebus 3000 or 4000, depending on whether it is fitted with avionics using a 50-volt or 100-volt power bus.

Based on flight-proven design and technologies, the Spacebus 3000 platform product line has built a strong heritage and flight record, with sixteen Spacebus 3000 platform now operating in orbit and more to be launched. Thanks to its modular concept, the Spacebus 3000 platform can be adapted to the most complex antenna and repeater configurations.

Key Features

• Three axis stabilized geosynchronous platform, compatible with all current launchers
• On ground or in orbit delivery, with a 15-year operating lifetime
• Accommodates payloads of up to 6.5 kW and 500 kg, for a satellite launch mass of up to 4100 kg
• Fully regulated double power bus architecture
• Reliable four wheels attitude control system, with advanced FDIR features
• Four Silicium panel solar array of up to 8.7 kW (15 years End-Of-Life Equinox)
• Bipropellant propulsion system with flight proven ABM and 10N thrusters

The Spacebus 4000 is a medium-class telecommunication 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. Alcatel Space offers a high reliability to the customer and an attractive price.

Key Features

• Telecommunication 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 à 33 months on ground delivery); attractive price
• Accommodation antenna (from 2.4 m to 3.2 x 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 B-class models have occured:

• Arabsat-3A: 2001 - short circuit in the solar array drive mechanism - partial loss

Source: Alcatel Alenia Space Data sheets

Last update: 27.09.2009
Contact: gunter.krebs@skyrocket.de
© Gunter Dirk Krebs