Telstar 12

Not to be confused with Telstar 12V.

Telstar 12, previously known as Orion 2, is a Canadian communications satellite in the Telstar series which is operated by Telesat. It was originally built for Orion Network Systems, which merged with Loral Skynet shortly before the satellite was launched. It was subsequently transferred to Telesat when it merged with Loral Skynet in 2007.

Telstar 12

Names	Orion 2 (1999) Telstar 12 (2000—)
Mission type	Communications
Operator	Loral Skynet[1] (1999-07) Telesat (2007—)
COSPAR ID	1999-059A
SATCAT no.	25949
Mission duration	15 years
Spacecraft properties
Bus	LS-1300E
Manufacturer	Space Systems/Loral
Launch mass	3,814 kilograms (8,408 lb)
Power	10.6 kilowatts
Start of mission
Launch date	19 October 1999, 06:22 (1999-10-19UTC06:22Z) UTC
Rocket	Ariane 44LP H10-3
Launch site	Kourou ELA-2
Contractor	Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Geostationary
Longitude	15° west
Perigee altitude	35,780 kilometres (22,230 mi)
Apogee altitude	35,805 kilometres (22,248 mi)
Inclination	0.01 degrees
Period	23.93 hours
Epoch	29 October 2013, 07:55:57 UTC[2]
Transponders
Band	38 Ku-band
Frequency	Uplink: 13.75-14.5 gigahertz Downlink: 10.95-12.75 gigahertz
Bandwidth	54 megahertz
Coverage area	North America Caribbean South America Europe Middle East South Africa[3][4]

Telstar 12 is a K_u band satellite with coverage of North America as far west as Cleveland, Ohio, the majority of South America and Europe. Telstar 12 also has the capability to provide intercontinental connectivity including trans-Atlantic to the Mid-East.^[3] Eutelsat uses four transponders on the satellite for services between Europe and the Americas.^[5]

Signal coverage

On 1Q 2016, Telstar 12 was replaced in its orbital position with Telstar 12 Vantage satellite.

See also

• Spaceflight portal

• Telstar
• Telesat