Amazonas 5

Names	Amazonas 4B
Mission type	Communications
Operator	Hispasat
COSPAR ID	2017-053A
SATCAT no.	42934
Website	Amazonas 5
Mission duration	15 years (planned) 7 years, 4 months, 24 days (elapsed)
Spacecraft properties
Bus	SSL 1300
Manufacturer	SSL
Launch mass	5900kg
Power	11.5kW
Start of mission
Launch date	September 11, 2017 (2017-09-11)
Rocket	Proton-M Breeze M
Launch site	Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200
Contractor	ILS[1]
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Geostationary
Longitude	61°W
Semi-major axis	42,165 km (26,200 mi)[2]
Periapsis altitude	37,780 km (23,480 mi)[2]
Apoapsis altitude	35,808 km (22,250 mi)[2]
Inclination	0.0°
Period	1,436 min (1 day 36 min)
Transponders
Band	34 Ka band spot beams, 24 Ku band transponders
Coverage area	Latin America (incl. Brazil)

The Amazonas 5 is a Spanish commercial communications satellite developed by SSL and operated by Hispasat. Launched on September 11, 2017 (2017-09-11), it has an expected service life of 15 years. Its orbit allows it to cover all of South America,^[3] allowing for broadband and broadcast services. It replaces the Amazonas 4A and 4B satellites, the former of which experienced a performance loss and the latter which was cancelled.^[4]

The satellite is based on the SSL 1300, a satellite bus produced by SSL. It has a launch mass of 5,900 kg (13,000 lb) and has two deployable solar panels.^[3][4]

The satellite uses a chemical propulsion system for orbit raising with the main engine providing a force between 450 and 490 N and several altitude control thrusters. Although the SSL 1300 spacecraft bus can be equipped with an electric propulsion system, it is unknown if Amazonas 5 comes with it.^[5]

The satellite's communication system is its main payload. It consists of 24 Ku band transponders for its South America beam and 34 Ka band spot beams for its Brazil beam.^[3] It can provide broadband and television services and can deploy 3G, LTE, and 5G networks.^[4]

Amazonas 5 launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200, Kazakhstan, on September 11, 2017 (2017-09-11), on board a Proton-M Breeze M rocket. The launch was initially slated to happen on 9 September instead but the Proton rocket's arrival from Moscow was delayed.^[1]

It was launched to a geostationary orbit with a periapsis of 35,780.1 km (22,232.7 mi), an apoapsis of 35,808.7 km (22,250.5 mi), and orbital inclination of 0.0°. It is placed at a longitude of 61° W in order to serve South America. It would provide internet connectivity to around 500,000 people in the region, and opens 500 new television channels.^[2]

• Hispasat