Intelsat-5 (IS-5, PAS-5) at 137° West (Inclined Orbit)
| Position: | 137° West (Inclined Orbit) |
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Operator: | Intelsat |
| Launch operator: | ILS |
| Launch vehicle: | Proton K |
| Launch date: | 08/28/1997 |
| Expected lifetime: | 15 Years |
In March 1995 satellite operator PanAmSat ordered its fifth satellite, the PAS-5 satellite, with Hughes Satellite Systems (Boeing Defense & Space). The satellite was based on Hughes HS-601HP platform for High Power.
At beginning of life, it generates nearly 10kW. This version takes advantage of such advances as dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells, new battery technology and the first commercial use of a high-efficiency xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS). These features allow the Hughes HS-601HP to accommodate payloads twice as powerful as those of regular 601 models, while still offering lifetimes as long as 15 years.
PanAmSat became Hughes’s first customer to launch the new model in August 1997. PAS-5 provides satellite services in the Americas, with access to Europe, including direct-to-home television services in Mexico.
Satellites Controllers began noticing degradation of the nickel-hydrogen battery in PAS-5 earlier 1998. The effect on operations was analysed in June 1998. During periods of peak solar eclipse, which occur twice a year, PanAmSat will be required to shut off a portion of the satellite’s payload for some time. PanAmSat reportedly received a compensation of 185 million USD from its insurers after the satellite was declared a “total loss” because its capacity was reduced by more than 50%.
PAS-5 was leased in May 2002 to satellite operator Arabsat, which planned to use the spacecraft’s C-band transponders to complement its partially defunct Arabsat-3A at 26° East.
In February 2007 satellite operator Intelsat acquired PanAmSat and all PanAmSat satellite assets were transferred to Intelsat. PAS-5 was renamed of the satellite to Intelsat-5 (IS-5).
PAS-5 was successfully launched on August 28th, 1997 on a Proton K rocket booster operated by launch operator ILS from the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch site in Kazachstan. This was the first mission of 2001 for ILS.
Intelsat-5 (IS-5, PAS-5) at 137° West (Inclined Orbit)
