IAI Launches AMOS-4

AMOS-4, built by state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for Spacecom, was successfully launched Aug. 31, 2013, from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, aboard a ZENIT 3SLB launcher. The following morning, the satellite separated from the launcher's last stage and started communicating with the ground control station and mission control. IAI engineers then started transfer orbit operations.

 

During the coming three weeks, AMOS-4 will continue its transfer orbit before continuing to its designated permanent GSO service location at 65° East.

 

The onboard communications payload provides many advanced capabilities and features including flexible coverage by using steerable antennas. The payload features wideband and high-power transponding capabilities and enables the use of an agile frequency plan and flexible capacity allocation per beam. It supports multiple services, including traditional and next-generation broadcast services, and emerging interactive and mobile services. In addition to the advanced flexible microwave repeater, the payload employs a digital payload for carrier-level processing and flexible transponding. The system performance enables very high quality of service (QoS) for advanced services, including low-power small and mobile users.

 

AMOS-4 weighs 4.3 tons at launch, and has a 6kW electrical power subsystem.

 

The AMOS-4 satellite is based on the AMOS 4000 platform, which introduces a modular design architecture. The Amos4000 bus module is scalable to host configurations between 3kW and 12kW and 2.5 tons to 5.5 tons and was designed to be compatible with most available launch vehicles.

 

The Amos4000 will be used for the AMOS-6 satellite, which is currently being built by IAI for Spacecom for a planned 2015 launch. AMOS-6 will feature an electric propulsion subsystem, will weigh 5.4 tons at launch, and have a 10kW electric power subsystem.

 

IAI is the prime contractor for all Israeli satellite programs. It has successfully launched 14 satellites to date, with 100% in orbit success. IAI's satellite portfolio includes very high resolution OptSat optical satellites, very high resolution TECSAR radar satellites, and AMOS communication satellites. IAI is currently under contract for five additional satellites to be launched in the coming years.

 

Spacecom (Space-Communication Ltd.), operator of the new AMOS-4, provides high-quality broadcast and communication services to Europe, the Middle East, the U.S. East Coast, Africa, Russia, and South East Asia via direct-to-home (DTH) and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators, Internet service providers (ISPs), telecom operators, network integrators, and government agencies.