# AMC-9

> retired commercial broadcast communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16061254](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16061254)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC-9)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/amc-9

## Summary
AMC-9 was a commercial broadcast communications satellite that operated in a geostationary orbit. Launched in 2003, it provided telecommunications services for over 14 years before suffering a significant anomaly in 2017. The satellite is now retired and has been moved to a graveyard orbit, classifying it as a derelict satellite.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** June 6, 2003, at 22:15:15
- **Status:** Retired / Derelict
- **Final Operator:** SES S.A. (2011–2017)
- **Classifications:** Communications satellite, geostationary satellite, derelict satellite
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K rocket
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200
- **Manufacturer:** Alcatel Space
- **Launch Mass:** 4,100 kg
- **Design Life:** 15 years
- **Decommissioned:** November 2017, following a major anomaly

## FAQs
### Q: What happened to the AMC-9 satellite?
A: On June 17, 2017, AMC-9 experienced a significant anomaly that caused it to lose its stable orientation and drift from its orbital position. Following the event, the operator successfully moved the satellite to a graveyard orbit, and it was officially decommissioned in November 2017.

### Q: Who operated AMC-9?
A: The satellite was operated by several entities throughout its life. It was initially operated by SES Americom (2003–2009), followed by SES World Skies (2009–2011), and finally by SES S.A. until its retirement in 2017.

### Q: When was AMC-9 launched?
A: AMC-9 was launched on June 6, 2003, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200 in Kazakhstan.

## Why It Matters
AMC-9 is a significant example of the full lifecycle of a modern communications satellite, from its successful launch and long operational service to its eventual failure and responsible disposal. Its 14.5-year service life highlights the durability of its Spacebus-3000B3 platform. The major anomaly it suffered in 2017, and the subsequent successful effort to regain control and move it into a graveyard orbit, serves as an important case study in satellite end-of-life management and the mitigation of space debris. While the satellite did not complete its full 15-year design life, its controlled decommissioning prevented it from becoming a hazard to other operational satellites in the valuable geostationary orbit.

## Notable For
- **Significant Anomaly:** Experienced a major, unexpected anomaly in June 2017 that ended its operational life.
- **Responsible Decommissioning:** Despite the severe anomaly, its operator was able to re-establish contact and successfully maneuver it into a safe graveyard orbit.
- **International Launch:** Although a US-operated satellite manufactured in France, it was launched from Kazakhstan on a Russian Proton-K rocket.
- **Long Service:** Provided reliable commercial broadcast communications for 14.5 years, nearly fulfilling its entire 15-year design life.

## Body
### Design and Specifications
- **Manufacturer:** Alcatel Space
- **Country of Origin:** France
- **Spacecraft Bus:** Spacebus-3000B3
- **Mass:**
    - Launch weight: 4,100 kg
    - Dry weight: 1,663 kg
- **Power:** Powered by two spacecraft solar arrays.
- **Design Life:** 15 years

### Launch and Orbit
- **Launch Date:** June 6, 2003
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-K
- **Upper Stage / Space Tug:** Briz-M
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit

### Operational History and Decommissioning
AMC-9 was a commercial communications satellite providing service for over a decade.
- **Operators:**
    - SES Americom (2003–2009)
    - SES World Skies (2009–2011)
    - SES S.A. (2011–2017)
- **Service Life:** The satellite operated for 14.5 years.
- **2017 Anomaly:** On June 17, 2017, the satellite suffered a significant event that led to its retirement.
- **Decommissioning:** In November 2017, AMC-9 was officially decommissioned and moved into a graveyard orbit, where it is now considered a derelict satellite.

### Identifiers
- **Aliases:** AMC 9, GE-12, Americom 9
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 27820
- **COSPAR ID:** 2003-024A
- **NSSDCA ID:** 2003-024A

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/amc-9.htm)
2. [Source](https://www.orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/quarterly-news/pdfs/odqnv22i1.pdf)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/library/hoosf_16e.pdf)