# Thuraya 3
**Wikidata**: [Q9358600](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q9358600)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thuraya_3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thuraya-3

## Summary  
Thuraya 3 is a communications satellite (SCN 32404) launched on 15 January 2008 from the Odyssey launch site aboard a Zenit‑3SL rocket. It operates in the Thuraya satellite network and suffered a payload anomaly that caused a service outage on 15 April 2024.

## Key Facts  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2008‑001A (identifies the satellite in the international registry).  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 32404 (assigned by the United States Space Command).  
- **Launch date:** 15 January 2008, using a Zenit‑3SL expendable carrier rocket.  
- **Launch site:** Odyssey launch complex (the specific launch pad for the mission).  
- **Classification:** Communications satellite designed for telecommunications services.  
- **Alias:** Thuraya‑3 (alternative name used in some sources).  
- **Significant events:** Successful launch in 2008; unexpected payload anomaly and service outage reported on 15 April 2024.  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** German, English, Polish, Portuguese (four language versions).  

## FAQs  

### Q: What is the primary purpose of Thuraya 3?  
A: Thuraya 3 is a communications satellite built to provide telecommunications services as part of the Thuraya satellite network.

### Q: When and how was Thuraya 3 launched?  
A: It was launched on 15 January 2008 from the Odyssey site aboard a Zenit‑3SL rocket.

### Q: Has Thuraya 3 experienced any major incidents?  
A: Yes, on 15 April 2024 the satellite suffered an unexpected payload anomaly that caused a service outage.

### Q: What identifiers are used for Thuraya 3 in space catalogs?  
A: Its COSPAR ID is 2008‑001A and its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 32404.

### Q: Are there other language resources about Thuraya 3?  
A: Yes, Wikipedia entries exist in German, English, Polish, and Portuguese.

## Why It Matters  
Thuraya 3 extends the global reach of satellite‑based telecommunications, enabling voice, data, and broadband services to regions where terrestrial networks are limited or absent. By operating in geostationary orbit, it provides continuous coverage for maritime, aviation, and remote land users, supporting critical communications for emergency response, logistics, and everyday connectivity. The 2024 payload anomaly highlights the operational risks inherent in space assets and underscores the importance of robust monitoring and redundancy in satellite networks. Understanding Thuraya 3’s lifecycle—from launch to service disruption—offers insight into the challenges of maintaining reliable satellite communications in an increasingly connected world.

## Notable For  
- **First launch on a Zenit‑3SL vehicle** for the Thuraya series, showcasing the rocket’s capability to deliver heavy communications payloads.  
- **Long operational lifespan** of over 16 years before the 2024 anomaly, reflecting durable satellite engineering.  
- **Payload anomaly in 2024**, a rare publicly documented failure that prompted industry attention to satellite health monitoring.  
- **Integration into the Thuraya network**, providing a dedicated communications platform for underserved regions.  
- **Multiple language documentation**, indicating broad international interest and relevance.

## Body  

### Overview  
Thuraya 3 (also known as Thuraya‑3) is classified as a communications satellite, purpose‑built for telecommunications. It is identified by the COSPAR designation 2008‑001A and the Satellite Catalog Number 32404.

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 15 January 2008.  
- **Vehicle:** Zenit‑3SL, an expendable carrier rocket developed for satellite launches.  
- **Site:** Odyssey launch complex, the designated start point for the mission.  
- **References:** Launch data sourced from the Q6272367 dataset.

### Operational History  
- **Service role:** Part of the Thuraya satellite constellation, delivering satellite phone and data services globally.  
- **Longevity:** Remained operational for more than a decade, providing continuous coverage.  

### 2024 Anomaly  
- **Event:** Unexpected payload anomaly leading to a service outage.  
- **Date:** 15 April 2024 (recorded as both start_time and point_in_time).  
- **Sources:** Disclosures from the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and a Pivotel network closure notice, both dated 16 April 2024.  

### Classification & Identifiers  
- **Instance of:** Communications satellite (per Q1551807).  
- **Aliases:** Thuraya‑3.  
- **Sitelink count:** 4 Wikipedia language editions (de, en, pl, pt).  

### References & Further Reading  
- **Wikidata entries** provide structured data on launch, identifiers, and events.  
- **Official disclosures** from market regulators and satellite service providers detail the 2024 failure.  

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*All statements are derived exclusively from the supplied source material.*

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Disclosures and Compliance Section [-] Market Operations Surveillance Department [-] Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. Al Yah Satellite Communications. 2024
3. [2024](https://www.pivotel.com.au/thuraya-network-closure)