Mission type Communication COSPAR ID 2008-022A Mission duration 18 years (planned) Launch date 28 April 2008 Rocket Zenit-3SLB Launch site Baikonur Cosmodrome | Operator Spacecom SATCAT no. 32794 Bus AMOS Speed on orbit 3.07 km/s Cost 170 million USD | |
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Manufacturers Thales Alenia Space, IAI-MBT Similar Amos‑2, Amos‑4, Astra 4A, Amos‑5, Hot Bird 13C | ||
Amos 3 launch
AMOS-3, also known as AMOS-60 is an Israeli communications satellite operated by Spacecom. The satellite is powered by twin solar panels, and is based on the Israeli AMOS bus. It replaced AMOS-1 in geosynchronous orbit at 4°W. AMOS-3 carries fifteen Ku/Ka-band transponders, and is expected to have an on-orbit lifetime of 18 years.
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It was launched atop the maiden flight of the Zenit-3SLB rocket, the first launch contracted by the Land Launch organisation.
The launch was originally scheduled to occur in 2007, and later March 2008, however this was delayed until 24 April 2008. The launch attempt on 24 April 2008 was scrubbed for "technical reasons". This was later determined to be a problem with the erector/transporter system, which had failed to retract and move away from the rocket.
Amos 3 lifted-off from LC-45/1 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 08:00 UTC on 28 April 2008.