NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1992-060A
Hispasat 1A, Spain's communications satellite, was launched by an Ariane-4 rocket from the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana. Based on the Eurostar spacecraft bus developed by British Aerospace and Matra Marconi, Hispasat was designed to support civil, military and government communications requirements through an array of multi-frequency transponders. Positioned at 30 degrees W, it carried 15 active transponders: three X-band with one space and 12 Ku-band (8 at 55 W, 4 at 110 W) with six spares. The Hispasat bus measured 1.7 m by 1.9 m by 2.1 m with a solar array span of 22 m and an initial power capacity of 3.2 kW. A problem with the Spanish-manufactured primary antenna led Matra Marconi to procure an Aerospatiale antenna for Hispasat 1B. The spacecraft design life was 10 years. From its position over the Atlantic Ocean, it was capable of servicing not only Europe but also North and South America.
Launch Date: 1992-09-10
Launch Vehicle: Ariane 4
Launch Site: Kourou, French Guiana
Mass: 2194 kg
Nominal Power: 3200 W
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office