Mission type Communications Website www.bulgariasat.com Bus SSL 1300 Launch date 2016 | Operator Bulgaria Sat Mission duration Planned: 15 years Launch mass ≈4,000 kg (8,800 lb) Manufacturer SSL | |
Similar Intelsat 35e, BSAT‑4a, JCSAT‑16, Intelsat 36, SES‑10 | ||
BulgariaSat-1 is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Bulgaria Sat and manufactured by SSL, based on the space-proven SSL 1300 satellite platform. With an orbital position 1.2° West or 1.9° East (new position due to satellites Thor 5, 6 and Intelsat 10-02), and its payload is composed of 30 Ku band BSS transponders and 2 Ku-band FSS transponders for fixed satellite services and high-definition television broadcasts. The satellite will be powered by six solar panels which together will generate 10 kW of solar power.It is designed to deliver service for 15 years with a projected fuel life of over 20 years, thanks to the lifting capabilities of the SpaceX F9 launch vehicle and the actual super-synchronous transfer orbit (SSTO) launch.
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BulgariaSat-1 will be delivered in-orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
BulgariaSat-1 is the first in the history of the country geostationary communications satellite at the Bulgarian orbital position and it is designed to provide Direct-to-Home (DTH) television service and data communications services to the Balkans and other European regions.
History
In September 2014, Space Systems/Loral (SSL) was selected to manufacture the television broadcasting spacecraft in Palo Alto, California, and a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to launch the satellite. SSL assisted Bulgaria Sat in obtaining all of the financing for the satellite, including export credit financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
In March 2016, Bulsatcom announced it aims to launch the first Bulgarian geostationary communications satellite BulgariaSat-1 into orbit by the end of 2016, two years after the start of its production.
SpaceX will launch BulgariaSat-1 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Bulgaria Sat
Bulgaria Sat is the only satellite operator and the country's innovator in space industry, providing reliable and secure satellite communications solutions to broadcast, telecom, corporate and government customers. Bulgaria Sat is headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Bulgaria Sat is an affiliate of Bulsatcom, which is a leading telecommunications company and the largest provider of pay-TV services in Bulgaria.