SIRIUS 3
The SIRIUS 3 satellite was launched on 5 October 1998 from Kourou in French Guiana. It is now replaced by SIRIUS 4.
The operation of moving all channels from SIRIUS 3 (and 2) to SIRIUS 4 was finalized in January 2008. SIRIUS 3 is now used as a back-up to SIRIUS 4.
SIRIUS 3 is a high-power satellite for the Nordic region. The signal power is approximately the same as for SIRIUS 2 (55 dBW in the primary reception area). SIRIUS 3 has 15 transponders for digital broadcasts.
Hughes Space & Communications in El Segundo, California, built the satellite.
SIRIUS 3 Facts
- Orbital position: 5.0° East
- Type: HS 376, spin stabilized
- Launched: 5 October 1998
- Mass in orbit: 806 kg BOL on-station
- Dimensions: Body 2.2 x 7.8 m
- Operational lifetime: 12 years
- Transponders: 15 BSS
- Frequency band: 11.7-12.5 GHz
- Transponder bandwidth: 33 MHz
- Polarization: Linear (horizontal and vertical)
