Eutelsat 3D

Eutelsat 3D is a commercial communications satellite that is operated by Eutelsat, France, and was manufactured by Thales Alenia Space. The satellite is based on the Spacebus-4000C3 platform that is capable of hosting powerful communication payloads with up to 13kW of payload power and >100 active channels. The satellite bus is 5.1 meters long. Eutelsat 3D was originally known as Eutelsat 7B, but was renamed after being assigned to its initial orbital slot at 3 degrees East.

The satellite has a launch mass of 5,470 Kilograms featuring two deployable solar arrays for power generation. The communication payload includes 53 Ku-Band and 3 Ka-Band transponders. Three Ku/Ka Footprints will provide coverage to Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia and an additional fourth Ku-Footprint will cover sub-Saharan Africa.

Eutelsat 3D will provide professional video, data, telecom and broadband services.

The spacecraft is three-axis stabilized. Star Trackers are used for navigation and attitude determination. The vehicle is equipped with an S400 Propulsion System for apogee burns and larger orbit maintenance maneuvers. The S400 series built by EADS Astrium are bi-propellant engines using Monomethylhydrazine and Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen as propellants. Depending on the version used, S400 provides 420 to 425 Newtons of Thrust with a specific impulse of 318-321 seconds.

Eutelsat 3D has a projected design life of at least 15 years. It will operate from Geostationary Orbit, initially in the 3-degree East position until the deployment of Eutelsat 3B in 2014. After that, Eutelsat 3D moves to 7 degrees East for the rest of its operational life.