PAS-22

AsiaSat 3 was a communications satellite of Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited ( AsiaSat short ) from Hong Kong.

He led - not originally intended - the first commercial mission to Earth's moon by.

On 24 December 1997, the satellite was launched from a Russian Proton rocket from Baikonur. However, the satellite missed the intended geostationary orbit and remained in a 365 x 35989 km x 51.6 ° transfer orbit. The operating company was the satellite with the insurance write off as a loss.

Later, the manufacturer " Hughes Global Systems " (HGS ) acquired the rights to the non-usable satellites. He let the engine and ignite the satellite The satellite flew on 13 May 1998 and on June 7, twice in 1998 close to the moon over. By this swing-by maneuvers of the satellite on the return flight to Earth on June 19, 1998 but the intended geostationary orbit could reach. However, a large part of the 1700 kg has been consumes fuel. This first commercial lunar mission with two flybys was without scientific value. Therefore, the satellite was not equipped.

The operator called to the satellite in HGS -1 and sold it in April 1999 at PanAmSat, which operates it as PAS -22 at 60 ° West.

See also: List of unmanned space missions

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