# Arabsat-6A

> Saudi Arabian communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18484685](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18484685)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabsat-6A)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arabsat-6a

## Summary

Arabsat-6A is a communications satellite.

## Summary
Arabsat-6A is a Saudi Arabian geostationary communications satellite manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Weighing approximately 6,460 kilograms, it was launched on April 11, 2019, atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from the Kennedy Space Center. The satellite is operated by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology to provide telecommunications services.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** April 11, 2019
- **Launch Vehicle:** Falcon Heavy (operated by SpaceX)
- **Launch Site:** Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
- **Manufacturer:** Lockheed Martin
- **Spacecraft Bus:** A2100
- **Mass:** 6,460 kilograms (14,242 lbs)
- **Operator:** King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit
- **COSPAR ID:** 2019-021A
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 44186
- **Country:** Saudi Arabia
- **Successor:** Hellas Sat 4

## FAQs
### Q: When and how was Arabsat-6A launched?
A: Arabsat-6A launched on April 11, 2019, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. It lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

### Q: Who built and operates Arabsat-6A?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Lockheed Martin, utilizing the A2100 spacecraft bus. It is operated by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.

### Q: What is the purpose of Arabsat-6A?
A: Arabsat-6A is a communications satellite designed to provide telecommunications services from a geostationary orbit.

## Why It Matters
Arabsat-6A represents a significant milestone in Saudi Arabian space capabilities and global satellite communications. As a heavy-lift payload weighing over six metric tons, its successful deployment demonstrated the commercial viability of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket for large geostationary satellites. The satellite's construction on the modern A2100 bus by Lockheed Martin highlights advanced aerospace engineering standards utilized for long-duration space missions.

The satellite plays a critical role in expanding communication infrastructure for the Arab region and beyond. Operated by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, it enhances the capacity for secure and reliable data, video, and voice services. Furthermore, its launch from the historic Kennedy Space Center marks a collaboration between US aerospace manufacturers and Middle Eastern operators to advance global connectivity.

## Notable For
- **Heavy Payload:** With a mass of 6,460 kg, it is a notably heavy satellite, requiring a high-performance launch vehicle.
- **Falcon Heavy Mission:** It served as a key commercial payload for the Falcon Heavy launch vehicle, contributing to the rocket's operational flight history (specifically referenced as "Falcon Heavy Flight 2" in commons categories).
- **Advanced Platform:** It utilizes the Lockheed Martin A2100 bus, a configurable satellite platform known for high power and reliability.
- **Strategic Operation:** It is a major asset operated by Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Arabsat-6A is a sophisticated spacecraft constructed by Lockheed Martin. It is based on the **A2100 spacecraft bus**, a modular platform designed for geostationary communications. The satellite has a total mass of **6,460 kilograms**, placing it in the class of heavy geostationary satellites. It is identified by the international designator **COSPAR ID 2019-021A** and Satellite Catalog Number **44186**.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully launched on **April 11, 2019**. The mission was contracted to **SpaceX**, which utilized a **Falcon Heavy** launch vehicle. The launch took place at **Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A** in Florida. This event is categorized as a significant rocket launch in the satellite's timeline.

### Operational Context
Arabsat-6A functions as a **communications satellite** positioned in **geostationary orbit**. It is officially a product of **Saudi Arabia** and is managed by the **King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology**. In the sequence of satellite deployments, Arabsat-6A was followed by **Hellas Sat 4**, another geosynchronous communications satellite.

### Identifiers and Aliases
The satellite is also known by its Arabic alias **عربسات-٦ أيه**. It is referenced in various knowledge bases including the Google Knowledge Graph (ID: /g/1pz2tvw_t) and maintains a presence across multiple Wikipedia language editions (Arabic, German, English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian).

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/arabsat-6a.htm)