COSPAR ID 2008-055A Launch site Xichang LA-3 Cost 241 million USD Bus Dongfanghong program | Mission duration 15 years Launch date 29 October 2008 Mission type Communications satellite | |
Operator Ministry of Science and Technology Similar Brasilsat B1, Star One B4, Intelsat 1R, AMC‑6, Star One C1 | ||
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Venesat-1, also known as Simón Bolívar, is the first Venezuelan satellite. It was designed, built, launched, controlled and monitored by the CGWIC subsidiary of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It is a communications satellite, which will be operated from a geosynchronous orbit. It was launched on a Chinese Long March 3B carrier rocket, from LA-2 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre, at 16:53 UTC on 29 October 2008.
Venesat-1 will be operated by Venezuela's Ministry of Science and Technology. It carries 12 G-band (IEEE's C band) and 14 J-band (IEEE Ku band) transponders. It has a mass of 5,100 kilograms (11,200 lb), and an expected service life of 15 years. It is based on the DFH-4 satellite bus. The satellite occupies an orbital slot, 78-West, designated for Uruguay and ceded to Venezuela by mutual accord.
