Hotbird 3 & Météosat 7

The Meteosat series of satellites are geostationary meteorological satellites operated by EUMETSAT under the Meteosat Transition Programme (MTP) and the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) program. The MTP program was established to ensure operational continuity between the end of the successful Meteosat Operational Programme in 1995 and Meteosat Second Generation (MSG), which came into operation at the start of 2004 using improved satellites. The MSG program will provide service until the MTG (Meteosat Third Generation) program takes over.

Hot Bird is a group of satellites operated by Eutelsat, located at 13°E over the Equator (orbital position) and with a transmitting footprint over Asia, Europe, North Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East. Only digital radio and television channels are transmitted by the Hot Bird constellation, both free-to-air and encrypted. In addition, there are a few interactive and IP services. The satellites currently operate at 13° East and are numbered 13B, 13C, and 13D. Hot Bird 3 was launched by Ariane 44LP on 2 September 1997 and intended to be moved to 10°E to become Eurobird 10. During the drift from 13°E to 10°E, the satellite suffered a loss of power from one solar array. It was nevertheless successfully moved to 10°E, but could only operate at a reduced capacity. Since then, it is operating at 4°E under the name Eurobird 4. At last, it was moved to 75°E and renamed ABS_1B. It has reached end-of-life.