AMC-12 (formerly GE-1i) is an American geostationary communications satellite that was launched by a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle at 02:27:32 UTC on 3 February 2005. The 4,979 kg (10,977 lb) satellite to provide voice and video services to the North America and South America, Europe, and Africa through separate beams to each region, after parking over the Atlantic Ocean through its 72 C-band transponders, over 37° West longitude.[2][3]

AMC-12
NamesGE-1i
AMC-12 (2005-present)
WorldSat 2
Star One C12 (2005-present)
NSS 10 (2009-2011)
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorSES Americom (2005-2009)
SES World Skies (2009-2011)
SES S.A. (2011-present)
COSPAR ID2005-003A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.28526
Mission duration16 years (planned)
19 years, 9 months, 18 days (elapsed)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftGE-1i [1]
Spacecraft typeSpacebus 4000
BusSpacebus 4000C3
ManufacturerAlcatel Space
Launch mass4,979 kg (10,977 lb) [1]
Start of mission
Launch date3 February 2005, 02:27:32 UTC
RocketProton-M / Briz-M
Launch siteBaikonur Cosmodrome,
Site 81/24
ContractorKhrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Entered serviceApril 2005
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude37° West
Transponders
Band72 C-band
Coverage areaNorth America, South America, Europe, Africa
← AMC-11
AMC-14 →

Worldsat 2

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In early 2004, AMC 12 was transferred to Worldsat LLC, a new subsidiary of SES Americom as Worldsat 2. In early 2005, few weeks before launch, it was renamed AMC 12 again.[1][3]

Astra 4A

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24 transponders on AMC 12 have been contracted by SES Astra which to market this capacity in Africa under the name Astra 4A.[1][3]

Star One C12

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18 transponders are operated by Star One as Star One C12 for Europe.[1][3]

NSS 10

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In March 2009, the satellite was transferred to SES New Skies and named NSS 10.[1][3]

AMC-13

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AMC-13 (formerly GE-2i) was cancelled.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "AMC 12 / Astra 4A / Star One C12 / NSS 10". Gunter's Space Page. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Display: AMC 12 2005-003A". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Home - Satellites". Satbeams. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
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