Series of Israeli communications satellites
AMOS ("Affordable Modular Optimized Satellite") is a series of Israeli communications satellites operated by Israel-based Spacecom. All AMOS satellites were developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) using the AMOS bus satellite bus, except for AMOS-5 which was developed by ISS Reshetnev using the Ekspress bus satellite bus, and AMOS-17 which was developed by Boeing on its BSS-702.
Function.
The six AMOS satellites used five different launch vehicles: Soyuz, Zenit, Proton, Ariane and Falcon 9; and three different launch sites: Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, Centre Spatial Guyanais in French Guiana, and Cape Canaveral in Florida.
The constellation serves a variety of purposes, including direct-to-home broadcasting, broadband internet access, and communication services for governments and businesses. The satellites are strategically positioned to provide coverage to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The AMOS satellites are built to withstand harsh space environments and have an average lifespan of around 15 years.
Other uses.
In addition to its commercial services, the AMOS satellite constellation has also been used for scientific research and military purposes. For example, the AMOS-2 satellite was used to study the effects of space weather on communications systems, while the AMOS-3 satellite has been used to provide secure communication services to the Israeli military.
In addition, it has also been used for military and intelligence operations. The AMOS constellation has also been used for disaster relief efforts, providing emergency communication capabilities in areas affected by natural disasters.
Awards.
The AMOS satellite constellation has received recognition for its contributions to the satellite communication industry, receiving awards such as the “Satellite Executive of the Year Award” in 2014.
AMOS-6 failure.
The AMOS-6 satellite was built by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and contracted to Spacecom, a leading provider of satellite communication services in Israel. The satellite was intended to be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and operate in the geostationary orbit for at least 15 years. It was equipped with advanced technologies, including high-throughput Ka-band and Ku-band transponders, steerable spot beams, and electric propulsion, among others. The satellite was also leased by Facebook, which planned to use it to expand its internet access initiatives in Africa under the name of "Internet.org."
On September 1, 2016, at around 9:00 AM local time, the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the AMOS-6 satellite exploded on the launchpad during a static fire test. The explosion caused extensive damage to the launchpad and surrounding infrastructure, as well as the loss of the payload. The incident was captured on camera and widely circulated on social media, sparking concerns about the safety of space launches and the reliability of private space companies. Following the incident, SpaceX launched an investigation into the cause of the failure and suspended all its launch operations for several months. Spacecom, on the other hand, suffered a significant financial loss due to the destruction of the satellite, which was estimated to be worth around $200 million.
The incident raised questions about the reliability and safety of commercial space launches and the need for more rigorous testing and oversight. It also highlighted the importance of satellite communication for global connectivity and economic development, especially in underserved regions. Since the failure of Amos-6, as of mid-October 2023, SpaceX has completed 235 consecutive successful orbital missions.
References.
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