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Inmarsat-4 F3 is a communications I-4 satellite operated by the British satellite operator Inmarsat. It was launched into a geosynchronous orbit at 22:43 GMT on 18 August 2008,[1] by a Proton-M/Briz-M Enhanced carrier rocket. It is currently located at 97.65° West longitude, providing coverage of the Americas.[2] It entered service on 7 January 2009.

Inmarsat-4 F3

Operator	Inmarsat
COSPAR ID	2008-039A
SATCAT no.	33278
Spacecraft properties
Bus	Eurostar E3000
Manufacturer	EADS Astrium
Launch mass	5,960 kilograms (13,140 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	18 August 2008 (2008-08-18)
Rocket	Proton-M/Briz-M
Launch site	Baikonur 200/39
Contractor	ILS
Entered service	7 January 2009
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Geostationary
Longitude	98° West

Like the earlier Inmarsat-4 F1 and F2 satellites, Inmarsat-4 F3 was constructed by EADS Astrium, using a Eurostar E3000 bus. It has a mass of 5,960 kilograms, and is expected to operate for 13 years.[3] It was originally slated for launch using an Atlas V 531, but was transferred to Proton due to a large backlog of Atlas launches.

In the United States, Inmarsat ground stations are licensed to operate at 1525-1559 MHz and 1626.5-1660.5 MHz. The 1544-1545 MHz and 1645.5-1646.5 MHz bands are reserved for safety and distress communications.[2]

References

External links

• http://www.inmarsat.com/corporate/our-satellites/index.htm
• https://web.archive.org/web/20120927021531/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2005/q4/nr_051108s.html
• http://www.as.northropgrumman.com/products/aa_inmarsat/index.html

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