HOT BIRD 6 (Eutelsat 70D, E70D, E33D, Eutelsat 8 West C, E8WC, Eutelsat Hot Bird 13A)

HOT BIRD 6 was a geostationary communications satellite operated by Eutelsat that provided direct-to-home (DTH) television broadcasting and telecommunications services across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Throughout its operational life, the satellite was relocated several times and renamed to reflect its changing orbital positions and mission requirements. It was known as Hot Bird 6, Hot Bird 13A, Eutelsat 8 West C, Eutelsat 33D, and finally Eutelsat 70D before being retired.

Satellite Overview

HOT BIRD 6 was built by Alcatel Space (now Thales Alenia Space) using the proven Spacebus 3000B3 satellite platform. The spacecraft had a launch mass of approximately 3,905 kg (8,609 lbs.) and was designed for a mission life of 12 years, although it ultimately exceeded its original design life.

The satellite was equipped with:

• 28 Ku-band transponders
• 4 Ka-band transponders
• S400-12 apogee motor for orbit raising
• S10-18 propulsion system for station-keeping maneuvers

These payload capabilities enabled the satellite to deliver high-quality television broadcasting, telecommunications, and data services across multiple regions.

Launch of HOT BIRD 6

HOT BIRD 6 achieved a unique place in launch history as the payload aboard the first Atlas V mission (AV-001).

The satellite was launched on August 21, 2002, aboard an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle from Space Launch Complex 41 (SLC-41) at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

Launch Details

• Satellite: HOT BIRD 6
• Launch Date: August 21, 2002
• Launch Vehicle: Atlas V 401
• Mission Number: AV-001
• Launch Site: SLC-41, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA
• Launch Provider: International Launch Services (ILS)

The mission was a complete success, placing HOT BIRD 6 into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), from which the spacecraft used its onboard propulsion system to reach its final operational orbit.

Operations at 13° East

Following launch, HOT BIRD 6 was positioned at 13° East longitude, joining Eutelsat’s highly successful HOT BIRD constellation.

From this orbital location, the satellite delivered:

• Direct-to-home television services
• Radio broadcasting
• Telecommunications connectivity
• Data transmission services

The HOT BIRD fleet became one of the most important satellite television neighborhoods in the world, serving millions of households across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Renamed HOT BIRD 13A

In March 2012, Eutelsat renamed the spacecraft HOT BIRD 13A as part of a fleet-wide rebranding initiative.

The satellite continued operating at 13° East until mid-2013, providing nearly eleven years of reliable service from its original orbital slot.

Relocation to 8° West

In July 2013, HOT BIRD 13A began a controlled drift to 8° West longitude.

After arriving at its new orbital position in August 2013, the spacecraft was renamed Eutelsat 8 West C.

At 8° West, the satellite supported Eutelsat’s broadcasting services covering:

• Middle East
• North Africa (MENA)
• Eastern Europe

The satellite helped strengthen capacity at one of the world’s busiest television broadcasting neighborhoods while awaiting the launch of additional replacement spacecraft.

Move to 33° East and 70° East

As newer satellites entered service, Eutelsat continued to reposition the spacecraft to maximize its remaining operational value.

The satellite was subsequently relocated to:

Eutelsat 33D

• Orbital Position: 33° East
• Mission: Communications and broadcasting support

Eutelsat 70D

• Orbital Position: 70° East
• Mission: Telecommunications and regional broadcasting services

These relocations allowed Eutelsat to extend the satellite’s useful life while meeting changing market demands across different geographic regions.

Retirement

After more than 14 years of successful operation—well beyond its original 12-year design life—the satellite was retired in 2016.

Following standard industry procedures, Eutelsat maneuvered the spacecraft into a graveyard orbit above the geostationary belt, safely removing it from active operational slots and reducing congestion in the geostationary arc.

Legacy

HOT BIRD 6 played a significant role in Eutelsat’s global satellite fleet. Beyond supporting millions of television viewers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the satellite is also remembered as the payload of the historic first Atlas V launch, helping inaugurate one of the world’s most reliable launch vehicle families.

Over its operational lifetime, the spacecraft served from four different orbital locations and under five different names, demonstrating the flexibility and longevity of modern geostationary communications satellites.

HOT BIRD 6 Quick Facts

HOT BIRD 6 remains an important milestone in both Eutelsat’s satellite fleet history and the early operational history of the Atlas V launch vehicle.