Atlantic Bird 2

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

23:21:00

Tuesday September 25, 2001

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Last launch of Ariane 44P. Flight V144.

Atlantic Bird 2

Wiki

Alcatel Space has built Atlantic Bird 2 (26 channels in Ku Band for this Spacebus 3000 B2 Satellite) for Eutelsat. By meeting a rapid delivery schedule (16 month on-ground delivery), which is made possible by an advanced production policy for the Spacebus-3000B2 platform, Alcatel Space has enabled Eutelsat to meet crucial backup service requirements while expanding digital and multimedia services. In addition to the on-ground delivery of Atlantic Bird 2, Alcatel Space's prime contract with Eutelsat provides for the satellite's launch campaign, as well as support for its operations and mission analysis. In December 2011 Eutelsat announced, that their satellite assets will be renamed under a unified brand name effective from March 2012. This satellite became Eutelsat 8 West A. In 2015 it was moved to 12.5° West and named Eutelsat 12 West B.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

3,600 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 44P

Active 1991 to 2001

European Space Agency logo

Manufacturer

ESA

Rocket

Diameter: 3.8m

Height: 58.72m

Payload to Orbit

GTO: 3,460 kg

Liftoff Thrust

4,334 Kilonewtons

Stages

3

Strap-ons

4

Launch Site

ELA-2

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

16 days

Stats

Ariane 4


106th

Mission

5th

Mission of 2001

European Space Agency


132nd

Mission

7th

Mission of 2001

2001


43rd

Orbital launch attempt