# Morelos 3

> Mexican communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18475462](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18475462)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/morelos-3

## Summary
Morelos 3 (also known as Morelos III) is a Mexican communications satellite launched on October 2, 2015. Manufactured by Boeing and operated by the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation, it serves as a key component of the Mexican Satellite System (MEXSAT). The satellite was launched into geostationary orbit aboard an Atlas V 421 rocket from Cape Canaveral.

## Key Facts
- **Aliases**: Morelos III, MEXSAT-2, Skyterra 2, MSV 2
- **Launch Date**: October 2, 2015 (04:13:05 UTC)
- **Launch Vehicle**: Atlas V 421 (AV-059)
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41
- **Manufacturer**: Boeing Satellite Development Center
- **Operator**: Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (Mexico)
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit
- **Mass**: 5,325 kg (launch weight); 3,200 kg (service entry)
- **Platform**: Boeing 702 spacecraft bus
- **Power**: Two gallium arsenide solar arrays (14,000 W each) and R-4D propulsion
- **Identifiers**: COSPAR ID 2015-056A; NSSDCA ID 2015-056A; Satellite Catalog Number 40946

## FAQs
### Q: What is Morelos 3?
A: Morelos 3 is a Mexican communications satellite designed to provide telecommunications services. It is part of the broader Mexican Satellite System (MEXSAT) aimed at enhancing national connectivity.

### Q: When was Morelos 3 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on October 2, 2015, at 04:13:05 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 using an Atlas V 421 rocket.

### Q: Who built and operates Morelos 3?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Boeing Satellite Development Center and is operated by Mexico's Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation.

## Why It Matters
Morelos 3 plays a critical role in Mexico's national telecommunications infrastructure. As part of the Mexican Satellite System (MEXSAT), which was initiated in 2010, the satellite is designed to deliver secure and reliable communications across the country. This includes supporting government operations, military communications, and providing coverage to rural and remote areas where terrestrial networks are limited or unavailable.

By operating in a geostationary orbit, Morelos 3 ensures consistent coverage over Mexican territory, which is vital for disaster response, national security, and reducing the digital divide. Its deployment marked a significant step in Mexico's efforts to assert sovereignty over its space communications capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign satellite providers. The satellite's high-capacity Boeing 702 platform and advanced solar arrays enable it to handle heavy data traffic and complex communication tasks, making it a cornerstone of the country's modern connectivity strategy.

## Notable For
- **National Infrastructure**: Serves as a central asset in the Mexican Satellite System (MEXSAT).
- **High-Power Capability**: Equipped with two gallium arsenide solar arrays, each generating 14,000 W of power.
- **Advanced Platform**: Utilizes the Boeing 702 bus, a standard for high-performance geostationary satellites.
- **Strategic Launch**: Deployed via the Atlas V 421, a reliable United Launch Alliance vehicle.
- **Dual Identifiers**: Referred to interchangeably as Morelos III and identified by technical aliases like MEXSAT-2 in certain datasets.

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Morelos 3 is a heavy-class communications satellite based on the Boeing 702 spacecraft bus. It has a launch mass of 5,325 kilograms and a service entry mass of 3,200 kilograms. The satellite is powered by two deployable solar arrays constructed from gallium arsenide, each capable of producing 14,000 watts of power. It utilizes an R-4D propulsion system for orbital maneuvering and station-keeping.

### Mission and Operations
The primary function of Morelos 3 is to provide telecommunications services as an artificial satellite in geostationary orbit. It is operated by the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation, which manages the satellite's integration into Mexico's national communications grid. The satellite is designated to be followed by MEXSAT-3 in the system's architecture.

### Launch Details
The satellite was launched on October 2, 2015, marking a significant event (rocket launch) in that year's space calendar. It lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 aboard an Atlas V 421 rocket (tail number AV-059). The launch was facilitated by United Launch Alliance. The satellite was assigned the COSPAR ID 2015-056A and the Satellite Catalog Number 40946.

## Schema Markup
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## References

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