Intelsat 6B

Intelsat 6B (IS-6B, PAS-6B) was a satellite providing television and communication services for Intelsat, which it was commissioned by in 2006.^[1]

Intelsat 6B

Names	PAS-6B IS-6B
Mission type	Communications
Operator	PanAmSat / Intelsat
COSPAR ID	1998-075A
SATCAT no.	25585
Website	http://www.intelsat.com
Mission duration	15 years (planned) 26 years, 5 months, 29 days (elapsed)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	PAS-6B
Spacecraft type	Boeing 601
Bus	HS-601HP
Manufacturer	Hughes Space and Communications
Launch mass	3,470 kg (7,650 lb)
Power	8 kW
Start of mission
Launch date	22 December 1998, 01:08 UTC
Rocket	Ariane 42L H10-3 (V115)
Launch site	Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
Contractor	Arianespace
Entered service	February 1999
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Geostationary orbit
Transponders
Band	32 Ku-band
Coverage area	South America
PanAmSat constellation ← PAS-8 PAS-9 →

Satellite description

It was manufactured by Hughes Space and Communications. At beginning of life, it generates 8 kW. This version takes advantage of such advances as dual-junction gallium arsenide solar cells, new battery technology and the first commercial use of a high-efficiency xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS).

Launch

The satellite was launched on 22 December 1998, 01:08 UTC, on an Ariane 42L H10-3 launch vehicle from the Centre Spatial Guyanais at Kourou in French Guiana.^[2] PAS-6B provides satellite services in South America, including direct-to-home (DTH) television services.

Mission

In 2003, PAS 6B lost the secondary XIPS engines additionally to the earlier loss of the primaries, which will lead to a reduced lifetime.^[1]