# AMOS-3

> Israeli commercial communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q14979](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14979)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMOS-3_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/amos-3

## Summary
AMOS-3 is an Israeli commercial communications satellite launched in 2008. It provides telecommunications services from geostationary orbit and is part of the AMOS satellite series operated by Spacecom. The satellite was manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd, with its payload developed by Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: April 28, 2008, from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Zenit-3SLB rocket (SB60.1)  
- **Mass**: 1,263 kg (launch weight), 837 kg (dry weight)  
- **Operator**: Spacecom  
- **Manufacturer**: Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd (bus), Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio (payload)  
- **Orbit**: Geostationary  
- **Spacecraft Bus**: AMOS  
- **Follows**: AMOS-2  
- **Followed By**: AMOS-5  
- **COSPAR ID**: 2008-022A  

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of AMOS-3?  
A: AMOS-3 is a commercial communications satellite designed to provide telecommunications services, including broadcasting and data transmission, from geostationary orbit.  

### Q: Who operates AMOS-3?  
A: The satellite is operated by Spacecom, an Israeli satellite communications company.  

### Q: What rocket launched AMOS-3?  
A: It was launched aboard a Zenit-3SLB rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45 on April 28, 2008.  

## Why It Matters  
AMOS-3 plays a critical role in Israel's satellite communications infrastructure, enabling broadcasting, internet, and data services across Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. As part of the AMOS series, it represents Israel's advancements in satellite technology and commercial space ventures. Its geostationary positioning ensures stable, continuous coverage for telecommunications providers and broadcasters. The collaboration between Israeli and European manufacturers (Israel Aerospace Industries, Thales Alenia Space, and Telespazio) highlights international partnerships in space technology.  

## Notable For  
- One of Israel's key commercial communications satellites, succeeding AMOS-2.  
- Features a payload developed by leading European aerospace firms (Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio).  
- Launched aboard a Zenit-3SLB rocket, a variant of the USSR-developed Zenit series.  

## Body  
### Launch and Deployment  
- **Launch Date**: April 28, 2008, at 05:00 UTC.  
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45 (Kazakhstan).  
- **Rocket**: Zenit-3SLB (SB60.1) with Blok-DM-SLB upper stage.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass**:  
  - Launch weight: 1,263 kg  
  - Dry weight: 837 kg  
- **Power**: Solar arrays (2 panels).  
- **Orbit**: Geostationary (~4°W longitude).  

### Manufacturers and Components  
- **Bus**: AMOS platform by Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.  
- **Payload**: Built by Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio.  

### Operational History  
- Entered service in June 2008.  
- Part of Spacecom's fleet, providing commercial telecom services.  

### Related Satellites  
- Preceded by AMOS-2.  
- Succeeded by AMOS-5 (launched 2011).

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/amos-3.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=32794)