Spacetrack Directory Name | EUTE 115 WEST B(SATMEX 7 |
Alternative name | SATMEX 7 |
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Orbit launches | 2015-03-02 (9 years ago) |
Days in orbit | 3560 |
Country/organisation of origin | European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (EUTELSAT) (EUTE) |
Starting point | AFETR (Kennedy Space Center/Cape Canaveral, USA) |
Categories | |
Perigee | 35784 km |
Apogee | 35788 km |
Orbit slope (inclination) | 0.01° |
Laps per day | 1 |
Orbit | GEO |
Height EUTE 115 WEST B(SATMEX 7 | 35786.14 km |
Eutelsat 115 West B (previously SATMEX 7) is a communications satellite that is operated by Eutelsat, providing video, data, government, and mobile services for the Americas. The satellite was designed and manufactured by Boeing Space Systems, and is a Boeing 702SP model communication satellite. It is located at 115 degrees west longitude. It was launched on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 2 March 2015 (UTC time).
The satellite is solely propelled by electrically powered spacecraft propulsion, with the onboard thrusters used for both geostationary orbit insertion and station keeping.
The satellite had a launch mass of 4,861 pounds (2,205 kg). It is notable for being the first commercial communications satellite in orbit to use electric propulsion, providing a significant weight savings. Eutelsat 115 West B was launched with another Boeing 702SP satellite, ABS-3A, on the same rocket.
Eutelsat 115 West B is planned to be the first in a family of four satellites in the Eutelsat constellation. The satellite was scheduled for entry into service in November 2015, but entered service a month earlier than expected, in October 2015.