Brasilsat B3 Communications Satellite – Operated by Star One (Embratel)

Brasilsat B3 is a Brazilian communications satellite launched on February 4, 1998, aboard an Ariane 44LP rocket in a dual-payload mission with Inmarsat-3 F5. The satellite was built by Hughes Aircraft (now part of Boeing) using the HS-376 satellite platform, and it is operated by Star One, a subsidiary of Embratel, one of Brazil’s leading telecommunications companies.

Embratel: Pioneering Satellite Communications in Brazil

Embratel (Empresa Brasileira de Telecomunicações) was founded in 1965 as a government-owned company and played a key role in establishing Brazil’s national and international telecommunications infrastructure. The company introduced satellite communications to Brazil, launched the Brasilsat program in the 1980s, and has since become a key player in the Latin American space and telecom industry. Today, Embratel operates under América Móvil and continues its legacy through Star One, managing a large fleet of communications satellites.

Mission and Purpose of Brasilsat B3

Brasilsat B3 was launched to meet growing telecommunications demand across Brazil, especially to extend satellite coverage to remote areas of the Amazon Region, which previously lacked access to essential communication services. For the first time, these communities were connected to the rest of Brazil and the world via satellite.

The satellite replaced and extended the capabilities of Brasilsat B2, supporting television broadcasting, telephone services, and data transmission. It became a crucial link in Brazil’s national satellite communications network.

Orbital History and Current Status

• February 1998: Launched and initially positioned at 65° West for system testing.

• April 1998: Relocated to 84° West for operational use.

• August 2008: Moved to 75° West to continue service.

• April 2012: Placed into inclined orbit to extend mission life.

• January 2013: Relocated to 92° West, where it remains in inclined orbit.

In late 2012, the Star One C3 satellite was launched to take over operations from Brasilsat B3 at the 75° West orbital slot, continuing radio and television broadcasting services across Brazil and neighboring South American countries.

Key Specs of Brasilsat B3

• Satellite Bus: HS-376

• Manufacturer: Hughes Aircraft

• Launch Date: February 4, 1998

• Launch Vehicle: Ariane 44LP

• Orbital Slot: Currently at 92° West (inclined orbit)

• Operator: Star One / Embratel