# Eutelsat 10A

> decommissioned geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q278191](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q278191)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eutelsat-10a

## Summary
Eutelsat 10A was a geostationary communications satellite operated by Eutelsat that was manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space. Originally launched as Eutelsat W2A in 2009, it provided telecommunications services from geostationary orbit before being decommissioned in November 2023. The satellite utilized the Spacebus-4000C4 platform and had a launch mass of 5,915 kilograms.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Decommissioned geostationary communications satellite (derelict satellite).
- **Launch Date:** April 3, 2009 (16:24:00 UTC) from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Proton-M rocket equipped with a Briz-M space tug.
- **Manufacturer:** Alcatel Alenia Space (Country of origin: France).
- **Operator:** Eutelsat.
- **Satellite Bus:** Spacebus-4000C4.
- **Mass:** 5,915 kg (launch weight); 2,828 kg (dry weight).
- **Service History:** Entered service on May 19, 2009; decommissioned in November 2023.
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2009-016A; SCN 34710.
- **Aliases:** Eutelsat W2A, E10A, W2A.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Eutelsat 10A launched and by what rocket?
A: Eutelsat 10A was launched on April 3, 2009, using a Proton-M heavy-lift launch vehicle equipped with a Briz-M space tug. It launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200.

### Q: Who built and operated Eutelsat 10A?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space in France and operated by Eutelsat throughout its operational life.

### Q: What is the current status of Eutelsat 10A?
A: Eutelsat 10A is currently classified as a derelict satellite. It was decommissioned in November 2023 after roughly 14 years of service.

## Why It Matters
Eutelsat 10A represents a significant asset in the geostationary communications infrastructure operated by Eutelsat. Weighing nearly 6 tons at launch, it exemplifies the heavy-lift capabilities required to deploy high-capacity telecommunications platforms based on the Spacebus-4000C4 bus. Its propulsion system configuration, which included a S400 thruster alongside four SPT-100 thrusters, highlights the technical complexity required for station-keeping and orbital maneuvering in geostationary orbit.

The satellite's lifecycle—from its launch as "Eutelsat W2A" to its rebranding as "Eutelsat 10A" and eventual decommissioning in late 2023—provides a complete case study of a modern communications satellite's operational lifespan. Its transition to a "derelict satellite" status also underscores the ongoing challenge of space debris management in the geostationary belt.

## Notable For
- **Heavy Payload:** Possessed a substantial launch mass of 5,915 kg.
- **Hybrid Propulsion:** Utilized a combination of a S400 thruster and four SPT-100 thrusters for propulsion.
- **Long Operational Life:** Operated for approximately 14 years before being decommissioned in November 2023.
- **Bus Platform:** Built on the Spacebus-4000C4 platform, a robust bus for communications satellites.
- **Launch Configuration:** Launched via a Proton-M with a specific Briz-M space tug configuration (tail number 99504).

## Body

### Development and Manufacturing
Eutelsat 10A, originally designated **Eutelsat W2A**, was constructed by **Alcatel Alenia Space** in France. It was built upon the **Spacebus-4000C4** satellite bus. The spacecraft was designed to operate in a geostationary orbit as a telecommunications platform.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite had a **launch mass of 5,915 kilograms** and a **dry mass of 2,828 kilograms**. Its power system relied on **two spacecraft solar arrays**.

Its propulsion system was notable for its hybrid configuration, consisting of:
-   1 S400 thruster
-   4 SPT-100 thrusters

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on **April 3, 2009**, at 16:24:00 UTC. The launch vehicle was a **Proton-M** rocket (specifically the 935-04 variant) flying from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200**. It utilized a **Briz-M** space tug (tail number 99504) to assist in reaching its final orbital position.

### Operational History
Eutelsat 10A officially entered service on **May 19, 2009**. It spent its operational life in geostationary orbit providing communications services. The satellite was officially decommissioned in **November 2023**, transitioning into the status of a derelict satellite.

### Identifiers
The satellite is tracked under several international identifiers:
-   **COSPAR ID:** 2009-016A
-   **SCN:** 34710
-   **NSSDCA ID:** 2009-016A

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Eutelsat 10A",
  "description": "A decommissioned geostationary communications satellite manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space and operated by Eutelsat.",
  "url": "https://www.eutelsat.com/en/satellites/eutelsat-10-east.html",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1374648",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutelsat_10A"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Communications Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/eutelsat-w2a.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=34710)
4. [Source](http://www.tbs-satellite.com/tse/online/sat_eutelsat_w2a.html)