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Eutelsat W3
Launch SuccessfulLaunch Details
Date: 12 Apr 1999, 10:50 pm UTC
Rocket: Atlas IIAS (Atlas)
Provider: Lockheed Martin
Mission
Type: Communications
Orbit: Geostationary Orbit
Pad: Launch Complex 36A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Mission Description
The W satellites are designed to provide telecommunications services primarily over Europe (Eutelsat W2, W3 and W5) and communication services over Russia and Africa (W4). W2, W3 and W5 are designed to offer 24 transponders at saturation and W4 is designed to provide 31 transponders at saturation. The W satellites have a minimum operational lifetime of 12 years. The spacecraft are based on the Spacebus-3000B2 platform.