Kalpana Kalpana (Editor)

DFS Kopernikus

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit

DFS-Kopernikus meaning Deutscher Fernmeldesatellit Kopernikus) was the name of three geostationary satellites of Deutsche Bundespost and later Deutsche Telekom AG. They are no longer in use.

Contents

When DFS-Kopernikus 3 was nearing the end of its life, SES sealed an agreement with Deutsche Telekom to use the 23.5° east position and frequencies, and in August 2001, Astra 1D was moved there. The Astra 23.5°E position was officially opened in March 2002 with the launch and positioning of Astra 3A. Deutsche Telekom contracted for 10 transponders on that craft and shortly switched over all traffic from DFS-Kopernikus 3.

Station Keeping

The orbital station keeping manoeuvres of the satellites were conducted by the Flight Dynamics Group of the German Aerospace Center (German Space Operations Center) in Oberpfaffenhofen, Bavaria. The satellites were located at the following positions:

  • DFS-Kopernikus 1: 23.5° East, later 33.5° East (1989–1994?)
  • DFS-Kopernikus 2: 28.5° East (1990–2000?)
  • DFS-Kopernikus 3: 23.5° East (1992–2002)
  • German satellite TV market share in 1990

  • SES: ca. 80%
  • Kopernikus: ca. 20%
  • TV-SAT 2: under 1%
  • References

    DFS Kopernikus Wikipedia