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Sinosat 3 (Xinnuo 3) → ZX 5C (ChinaSat 5C) → Eutelsat 3A → Eutelsat 8 West D

Sinosat 3 [CAST]

Xinnuo 3 (Sinosat 3) satellite is a medium capacity communications satellite based on the technologies of the DFH-3 Bus. It was launched into space in May 2007 on a CZ-3A launch vehicle.

In 2010, the satellite was taken over by China Satcom and renamed ZX 5C (ChinaSat 5C).

In July 2011, the satellite was leased to Eutelsat, renamed Eutelsat 3A and moved to the 3° East position as a placeholder for the new Eutelsat 3B satellite. In 2014 it was renamed Eutelsat 8 West D and moved to the 8° West position to operate in an inclined orbit.

It was retired of service andhas been moved to a graveyard orbit above GEO.

Nation: China
Type / Application: Communication
Operator: Sino Satellite Communications
Contractors: CAST
Equipment: 24 Ku-band transponders
Configuration: DFH-3 Bus
Propulsion:
Power: 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime: 15 years
Mass: 2200 kg
Orbit: GEO
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
Sinosat 3 (Xinnuo 3) → ZX 5C (ChinaSat 5C) → Eutelsat 3A → Eutelsat 8 West D 2007-021A 31.05.2007 Xi LC-3 CZ-3A

Launch Sites:

  • Xi =   Xichang Space Center (Songlin), Sichuan, China   China

References:

  • CAST website
Further Sinosat missions:
Further ZX (ChinaSat) missions:
Further Eutelsat missions:

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Last update: 11.06.2025
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