NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Brasilsat B4 & Nilesat 102

Launch Time
Thu Aug 17, 2000 23:16 UTC

Flight V130.

Rocket

Ariane 44LP
Image Credit: Arianespace
Arianespace
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 5,800 kN
Payload to GTO: 4,220 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 4
Rocket Height: 58.72 m

Mission Details

Brasilsat B4

Star One B4, originally designated Brasilsat B4, is a Brazilian communications satellite that is operated by Star One. It was constructed by the Hughes Space and Communications Company and is based on the HS-376W satellite bus. It was the penultimate HS-376, and final HS-376W to be launched. Its launch was contracted by Arianespace, using an Ariane 4 44LP-3 carrier rocket. The launch occurred at 23:16 GMT on 17 August 2000, from the ELA-2 launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre. The Nilesat 102 satellite was launched on the same rocket.

It was originally built and launched as Brasilsat B4 for Embratel and was later transferred to Embratel's subsidiary Star One and renamed. Following its launch, it raised itself into geostationary orbit by means of its onboard R-4D apogee motor and was positioned at 75° West for on-orbit testing. This was completed in September 2000, and it was moved to 92° West, arriving in October. It remained at that position until January 2007 when it was relocated to 70° West. It arrived on station in February and subsequently departed in June 2008. In July 2008 it arrived at 84° West, where it is currently stationed. It carries twenty-eight transponders and has an expected on-orbit lifespan of 12 years. It initially replaced the Brasilsat A2 satellite.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 2,495.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Nilesat 102

Nilesat 102 is an Egyptian-owned geosynchronous communications satellite that was launched by an Ariane 44LP rocket from Kourou, French Guiana on August 17, 2000, at 23:16 UTC by the European Space Agency. It was manufactured by the European company Matra Marconi Space (Astrium) and started official broadcasting on 12 September 2000 with an expected lifetime of 15 years. The spacecraft weighed 1,827 kg at launch.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 1,827.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Location

ELA-2, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Stats

2000

48th orbital launch attempt

Arianespace

118th mission
5th mission of 2000
113th successful mission
57th consecutive successful mission

Ariane 4

97th mission
4th mission of 2000
94th successful mission
55th consecutive successful mission