Brasilsat B3

 1998-006A

---

EMBRATEL's Brasilsat B-3A was another HS-376W widebody satellite. It was ordered in 1995 for launch in late 1997 by Ariane. B-3A initially omitted the X-band payload and concentrated on providing enhanced C-band service (although the Ariane press kit implies by the time of launch the X-band was restored). It was launched in the Ariane 44LP upper position. Mass is 1780 kg launch, 1052 BOL, 856 dry. The spinning satellite is 3.6m high 3.6m dia.

Space Command elements in the early orbit period are inconsistent; Brasilsat B3 seems to have remained in GTO until at least Feb 11. A Feb 12 element set gives it in high orbit, with no intermediate steps; but elsets from Feb 15 to Feb 18 record it still in GTO. However, by Feb 20 at least it seems to have been not only in high orbit but actually on station at 65.0W. I conclude initial apogee burns were probably made by Feb 12.

Brasilsat B3
Date	Time	Event	Orbit
1998 Feb 4	2329	Launch by Ariane 44LP V105	CSG ELA2
	2330	T+1:07 PAP sep
	2331	T+2:28 PAL sep
	2332	T+3:32 St 1 sep
	2332	T+3:39 St 2 burn
	2333	T+4:46 Fairing 01 sep
	2334	T+5:43 St 2 sep
	2334	T+5:48 St 3 burn
	2347	T+18:48 St 3 MECO
	2350	T+21:08 Brasilsat sep
	2352	T+23:45 Spelda top sep
	2355	T+26:04 Inmarsat 3F5 sep
	2355	T+26:06 depletion burn
1998 Feb 5			632.07 216 x 35818 x 7.0
1998 Feb 11	0251		630.25 220 x 35723 x 7.1
1998 Feb 12		LAM1
1998 Feb 12?		LAM2
1998 Feb 12	1513		1447.25 35744 x 36264 x 0.1
1998 Feb 15	2159		628.90 216 x 35657 x 7.0
1998 Feb 20	0000		1436.14 35780 x 35794 x 0.0 GEO 65.0W
1998 Mar 1	0400		1436.15 35784 x 35791 x 0.0 GEO 65.1W
1998 Apr 1		Drifting W
1998 Jun 24			1436.12 35783 x 35790 x 0.0 GEO 84.0W
1999 Oct 13			1436.07 35780 x 35792 x 0.0 GEO 84.0W
2006 Aug 3			1436.10 35777 x 35795 x 0.1 GEO 84.0W
2008 Aug 3			1436.11 35776 x 35797 x 0.1 GEO 84.1W
2008 Aug 6		Move to 75W
2008 Aug 23		Move in	1436.03 35767 x 35802 x 0.1 GEO 75.1W
2013 Jan 6			1436.12 35764 x 35809 x 0.8 GEO 75.0W