# Eutelsat 117 West B

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q20055456](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20055456)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutelsat_117_West_B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eutelsat-117-west-b

## Summary
Eutelsat 117 West B is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Eutelsat Americas. Manufactured by Boeing Satellite Development Center and launched in 2016, it provides telecommunications services and supports the Wide Area Augmentation System. The satellite is also known by its alias, Satmex 9.

## Key Facts
- **Class:** Communications satellite; Artificial satellite of the Earth.
- **Operator:** Eutelsat Americas.
- **Manufacturer:** Boeing Satellite Development Center.
- **Launch Date:** June 15, 2016 (14:29).
- **Launch Vehicle:** Falcon 9 Full Thrust (Core B1024).
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.
- **Mass:** 1,963 kilograms.
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit.
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2016-038B; SATCAT (SCN) 41589.
- **Aliases:** SATMEX-9, Eutelsat 117W B, Satmex 9.

## FAQs
### Q: When and how was Eutelsat 117 West B launched?
A: Eutelsat 117 West B launched on June 15, 2016, at 14:29. It was deployed using a SpaceX Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket (Core B1024) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.

### Q: Who built and operates Eutelsat 117 West B?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Boeing Satellite Development Center using a Boeing 702 spacecraft bus. It is currently operated by Eutelsat Americas.

### Q: What is the purpose of Eutelsat 117 West B?
A: It functions as a communications satellite designed for telecommunications. Additionally, it is part of the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS).

## Why It Matters
Eutelsat 117 West B serves a critical role in both commercial telecommunications and aeronautical safety infrastructure. As a high-capacity communications satellite operating in geostationary orbit, it provides essential services for Eutelsat Americas (formerly Satmex), expanding connectivity across the Americas. Its construction on the Boeing 702 platform represents a significant technical capability, utilizing dual solar arrays to power its 1,963 kg mass.

Beyond commercial data and voice services, the satellite is a vital component of the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). This system is crucial for air navigation, as it improves the accuracy, integrity, and availability of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. By hosting a payload for WAAS, Eutelsat 117 West B directly contributes to the safety and efficiency of air travel across North America. The satellite's launch aboard a Falcon 9 Full Thrust also marks it as part of the early operational history of SpaceX's reusable rocket era, specifically utilizing the B1024 core.

## Notable For
- **Dual-Functionality:** Serves both commercial telecommunications markets and the safety-critical Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS).
- **Heritage:** Originally designated Satmex 9, reflecting its origins under the Mexican satellite operator Satmex before its integration into Eutelsat Americas.
- **Technology:** Utilizes the Boeing 702 spacecraft bus, a high-power platform for geostationary satellites.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Was orbited by a Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket (Flight 26), a key vehicle in the development of reusable launch technology.

## Body

### Technical Specifications
Eutelsat 117 West B is a heavy-class telecommunications satellite with a total mass of 1,963 kilograms. It was constructed by the Boeing Satellite Development Center based on the Boeing 702 spacecraft bus. The satellite's power system consists of two spacecraft solar arrays designed to generate sufficient electricity for its operational lifespan.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on June 15, 2016, at 14:29 UTC. The mission, designated Falcon 9 Flight 26, lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. The launch provider was SpaceX, utilizing a Falcon 9 Full Thrust rocket identified by the core number B1024. Following the launch, the satellite was positioned in a geostationary orbit.

### Operational Context
Managed by Eutelsat Americas, the satellite is cataloged under the international designator COSPAR ID 2016-038B and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 41589. It is integrated into the Wide Area Augmentation System infrastructure, fulfilling a strategic role in navigation signal correction.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/eutelsat-117-west-b.htm)
2. SATCAT
3. Jonathan's Space Report