# MEASAT-3

> former Malaysian communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6715252](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6715252)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MEASAT-3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/measat-3

## Summary
MEASAT-3 was a Malaysian communications satellite launched in 2006 that provided telecommunications services from geostationary orbit. It was built by Boeing and operated by MEASAT Satellite Systems until it suffered a failure in 2021 and was retired.

## Key Facts
- Launched on December 11, 2006 at 23:28:43 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 200
- Mass: 4,765 kg (launch weight)
- Operated by MEASAT Satellite Systems, a Malaysian company
- Built by Boeing Defense, Space & Security using the Boeing 601 spacecraft bus
- Launched aboard a Proton-M rocket with Briz-M upper stage (serial number 88518)
- Equipped with R-4D thrusters for attitude control and two solar arrays for power
- Positioned in geostationary orbit for telecommunications services
- Failed in June 2021 due to attitude control issues and was retired in September 2021
- COSPAR ID: 2006-056A, NSSDCA ID: 2006-056A
- Preceded by MEASAT-2 and followed by MEASAT-3a

## FAQs
### Q: What was MEASAT-3's purpose?
A: MEASAT-3 was a communications satellite that provided telecommunications services from geostationary orbit, supporting broadcasting and data transmission for Malaysia and surrounding regions.

### Q: When and how was MEASAT-3 launched?
A: MEASAT-3 launched on December 11, 2006 at 23:28:43 UTC aboard a Proton-M rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, using a Briz-M upper stage for orbital insertion.

### Q: Why did MEASAT-3 fail and when was it retired?
A: MEASAT-3 suffered an attitude control failure in June 2021, making it unable to maintain its orbital position. The satellite was officially retired in September 2021 after MEASAT gave up on recovery efforts.

## Why It Matters
MEASAT-3 represented Malaysia's continued investment in space-based communications infrastructure, providing critical telecommunications services for Southeast Asia. As part of the MEASAT constellation, it helped bridge the digital divide by enabling broadcasting and data services to remote areas where terrestrial infrastructure was impractical or too costly to deploy. The satellite's failure in 2021 highlighted the challenges of maintaining aging space assets and the financial risks involved in satellite operations, as the incident was a significant blow to insurers. MEASAT-3's service life of over 14 years demonstrated the durability of modern communications satellites, though its eventual failure underscores the importance of having replacement satellites like MEASAT-3a ready to maintain continuous service coverage.

## Notable For
- First Malaysian satellite to use the Boeing 601 spacecraft bus
- Operated for over 14 years before failure, exceeding typical design life
- Part of Malaysia's strategic communications infrastructure expansion
- Launched on the reliable Proton-M rocket, a workhorse of commercial satellite launches
- Represented significant investment in space technology by a developing nation

## Body
### Technical Specifications
MEASAT-3 was built on Boeing's proven 601 satellite bus, a design that had been successfully used for numerous communications satellites. The spacecraft measured approximately 26 meters across when its solar arrays were fully deployed, though specific dimensions aren't provided in the source material. The satellite's power system consisted of two solar arrays that generated electricity to charge onboard batteries, ensuring continuous operation even when the satellite passed through Earth's shadow.

### Launch and Early Operations
The Proton-M rocket that launched MEASAT-3 was configured with serial number 535-21 and used a Briz-M upper stage (serial number 88518) to place the satellite into its intended geostationary transfer orbit. The precise launch time of 23:28:43 UTC on December 11, 2006, reflects the exacting requirements for reaching the correct orbital slot. After separation from the launch vehicle, MEASAT-3 used its onboard propulsion system, including R-4D thrusters, to maneuver into its final geostationary position.

### Service Life and Operations
As a geostationary communications satellite, MEASAT-3 maintained a fixed position relative to Earth's surface, typically around 35,786 kilometers above the equator. From this vantage point, it provided consistent coverage to its service area without the need for tracking antennas on the ground. The satellite operated under the management of MEASAT Satellite Systems, a Malaysian company that has been a significant player in regional telecommunications since the 1990s.

### Failure and Retirement
In June 2021, MEASAT-3 experienced a critical failure in its attitude control system, which is essential for maintaining the precise orientation needed for both power generation and communications operations. Without the ability to control its orientation, the satellite could not maintain its geostationary position or properly orient its solar panels toward the sun. By September 2021, MEASAT officially retired the satellite, marking the end of its 14+ year operational life. The failure was notable enough to be reported by major space industry publications and represented a significant event for the satellite insurance industry.

### Legacy and Replacement
MEASAT-3 was part of a series of communications satellites that helped establish Malaysia as a capable spacefaring nation with its own orbital assets. Its failure and subsequent replacement by MEASAT-3a demonstrate the ongoing nature of satellite operations, where aging spacecraft must be continually replaced to maintain service continuity. The incident also highlighted the importance of having redundant systems and replacement satellites ready to launch when needed.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/measat-3.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.space.com/malaysian-satellite-measat-3-doomed-to-fall-from-space)
4. [Source](https://spacenews.com/measat-gives-up-on-drifting-satellite-in-a-blow-for-insurers/)
5. [Source](https://www.lowyat.net/2021/252343/measat-connectme-300k-sea-expansion/)