# Hot Bird 13E

> geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q474258](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q474258)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hot-bird-13e

## Summary
Hot Bird 13E is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Eutelsat, launched on March 11, 2006, as part of the Hot Bird series. It serves as a direct-broadcast satellite, providing satellite TV services for home reception. The satellite has a launch mass of 4,100 kilograms and a dry mass of 1,740 kilograms, and was manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space using the Spacebus-3000B3 platform.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Direct-broadcast satellite and geostationary satellite
- **Operator**: Eutelsat
- **Launch Date**: March 11, 2006, at 22:33 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 5 ECA (Flight V170)
- **Launch Site**: ELA-3, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana
- **Manufacturer**: Alcatel Alenia Space
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Spacebus-3000B3
- **Mass**: 4,100 kg (launch weight), 1,740 kg (dry weight)
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array (2 arrays, 10 kW capacity) and S400 (1 unit)
- **Service Life**: 15 years (design life)
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit
- **Aliases**: Hot Bird 7A, Eurobird 9A, Eutelsat 9A, Hotbird 7A
- **COSPAR ID**: 2006-007B
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2006-007B

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite is Hot Bird 13E?
A: Hot Bird 13E is a geostationary communications satellite designed for direct-broadcast services, providing satellite TV broadcasts for home reception.

### Q: Who operates Hot Bird 13E?
A: The satellite is operated by Eutelsat, a leading satellite communications company.

### Q: When was Hot Bird 13E launched?
A: Hot Bird 13E was launched on March 11, 2006, at 22:33 UTC from ELA-3, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

### Q: What is the mass of Hot Bird 13E?
A: The satellite has a launch mass of 4,100 kilograms and a dry mass of 1,740 kilograms.

### Q: What spacecraft bus was used for Hot Bird 13E?
A: The satellite was built using the Spacebus-3000B3 platform by Alcatel Alenia Space.

## Why It Matters
Hot Bird 13E plays a crucial role in the global satellite communications infrastructure, providing direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting services. As part of Eutelsat’s Hot Bird series, it supports television and radio broadcasting across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The satellite’s geostationary orbit ensures continuous coverage, making it essential for delivering high-quality entertainment and news content to millions of households. Its launch on the Ariane 5 ECA rocket highlights the reliability of European space technology. With a design life of 15 years, Hot Bird 13E contributes to the resilience of satellite communications, ensuring uninterrupted service for its users.

## Notable For
- **First in Series**: One of the first satellites in Eutelsat’s Hot Bird series, designed for direct-broadcast services.
- **High-Capacity Payload**: Equipped with advanced communications equipment to support multiple TV and radio channels.
- **Reliable Launch**: Successfully launched aboard the Ariane 5 ECA, a proven European launch vehicle.
- **Long Operational Life**: Designed for 15 years of service, ensuring sustained coverage.
- **Multi-Array Solar Power**: Utilizes two spacecraft solar arrays and an S400 unit for robust power generation.

## Body
### Overview
Hot Bird 13E is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Eutelsat, launched on March 11, 2006. It is part of the Hot Bird series, which specializes in direct-broadcast services for television and radio. The satellite was built by Alcatel Alenia Space using the Spacebus-3000B3 platform, a reliable and versatile spacecraft bus.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: The satellite has a launch mass of 4,100 kilograms and a dry mass of 1,740 kilograms.
- **Power**: Hot Bird 13E is powered by two spacecraft solar arrays, each capable of generating 10 kilowatts, and an S400 unit.
- **Orbit**: Positioned in a geostationary orbit, it provides continuous coverage over Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
- **Service Life**: Designed for a 15-year operational life, ensuring long-term service reliability.

### Launch Details
- **Launch Vehicle**: The satellite was launched aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket, Flight V170, from ELA-3, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
- **Launch Date**: March 11, 2006, at 22:33 UTC.
- **COSPAR ID**: 2006-007B
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2006-007B

### Operational Role
Hot Bird 13E supports direct-to-home broadcasting, delivering television and radio services to millions of subscribers. Its geostationary position ensures stable and uninterrupted service, making it a critical component of the global satellite communications network. The satellite’s advanced payload and robust design contribute to its effectiveness in providing high-quality entertainment and news content.

### Historical Context
Hot Bird 13E is one of several satellites in Eutelsat’s Hot Bird series, which have been instrumental in expanding satellite TV services across Europe and beyond. Its launch and operation reflect the advancements in satellite technology and the growing demand for direct-broadcast services. The satellite’s successful deployment underscores the reliability of European space technology and Eutelsat’s commitment to providing high-quality communications services.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/hotbird-7a.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report