# ABS-6

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q5700993](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5700993)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/abs-6

## Summary
ABS-6 is a geostationary communications satellite currently operated by Agility Beyond Space. Originally launched on September 26, 1999, the spacecraft was initially known as LMI-1 (Lockheed-Martin Intersputnik) and later as ABS 1. It was deployed using a Proton-K rocket with a Blok DM-2M upper stage from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** It is an artificial satellite designed for telecommunications (instance of: communications satellite).
*   **Operator:** The satellite is operated by Agility Beyond Space.
*   **Launch Date:** It was launched on September 26, 1999.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The launch was conducted using a Proton-K carrier rocket.
*   **Launch Site:** The craft departed from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23.
*   **Orbit:** ABS-6 resides in a geostationary orbit.
*   **COSPAR ID:** Its international designator is 1999-053A.
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** It is tracked under SCN 25924.
*   **Aliases:** The entity has been identified historically as LMI-1, Lockheed-Martin Intersputnik, and ABS 1.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the original name of the satellite ABS-6?
A: The satellite was originally named LMI-1, which stands for Lockheed-Martin Intersputnik. It has also been referred to as ABS 1.

### Q: When and where was ABS-6 launched?
A: ABS-6 was launched on September 26, 1999, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23.

### Q: What rocket was used to deploy ABS-6?
A: The satellite was deployed using a Proton-K carrier rocket equipped with a Blok DM-2M space tug.

## Why It Matters
ABS-6 serves as a notable example of the transition and rebranding often seen in the commercial space sector. Originally launched as a joint venture indicated by the name "Lockheed-Martin Intersputnik" (LMI-1), its eventual rebranding to ABS 1 and later ABS-6 under the operator Agility Beyond Space highlights the fluidity of satellite asset ownership and fleet management over decades.

The satellite's deployment marks a specific technical configuration in launch history. The use of the Proton-K rocket, a heavy-lift launch vehicle of Soviet/Russian origin, in combination with the Blok DM-2M space tug, was essential for inserting the satellite into its geostationary orbit. Launched in late 1999, ABS-6 represents the era of geostationary expansions around the turn of the millennium. Its continued tracking via specific identifiers like the COSPAR ID (1999-053A) and Satellite Catalog Number (25924) allows global space agencies and telecommunications entities to manage orbital slots and avoid space debris collisions.

## Notable For
*   **Multiple Identities:** Distinct for having operated under several names (LMI-1, ABS 1, ABS-6) reflecting changes in corporate ownership or branding.
*   **Launch Configuration:** Notable for its utilization of the Proton-K launch vehicle combined with the Blok DM-2M upper stage.
*   **Launch Site Specificity:** Launched from Site 81/23 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, a specific pad used for heavy-lift launches.
*   **Longevity:** A telecommunications satellite that has been in orbit since 1999.

## Body
### Identity and Classification
ABS-6 is formally classified as a communications satellite. It is operated by Agility Beyond Space, a company managing satellite fleet resources. The satellite is listed in space catalogs under the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 25924 and the COSPAR international designator 1999-053A.

### Historical Aliases
The satellite has undergone several name changes throughout its lifecycle, indicating shifts in operator branding or asset transfers. It is historically recognized as:
*   LMI-1
*   Lockheed-Martin Intersputnik
*   ABS 1

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on September 26, 1999. The mission utilized a Proton-K carrier rocket, a system formerly used by the Soviet and Russian space programs for heavy payloads. To achieve the necessary trajectory for its operational life, the launch included a Blok DM-2M space tug.

The launch originated from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically from Site 81/23. This event is cataloged as a significant rocket launch event in space history databases. Following the launch, the satellite was positioned in a geostationary orbit, where it maintains a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface for telecommunications relay.

### Data Sources
Key technical and historical data regarding ABS-6 is derived from Wikidata and the Satellite Database (referenced as Q6272367), with corroboration from the operator's fleet overview. It possesses a Google Knowledge Graph ID (/g/11b6b49vpc) and is represented in the Wolfram Language as `Entity["Satellite", "25924"]`.

## References

1. [Source](https://absatellite.com/satellite-fleet/satellite-fleet-overview/)
2. Jonathan's Space Report