DFS Kopernikus-3
DFS-Kopernikus 3 was a communications satellite operated by Deutsche Telekom.Satellite
The DFS-Kopernikus series of satellites debuted in 1989 with the third being launched in 1992. Ordered in 1983 and produced by the GESAT consortium of MBB, Siemens, ANT Nachrichtentechnik, Standard Elektrik Lorenz, and Dornier Systems, DFS spacecraft are smaller than TV-Sat: on-station mass of DFS is 850 kg with a 15.4 m solar array span providing up to 1.5 kW of electrical power. The satellite also used a propulsion system S400.
The communications payload includes ten 14/11-12 GHz transponders with five spares and one experimental 30/20 GHz transponder with one spare. At the end of 1994, DFS 1-3 were stationed at 33.5° East, 28.5° East, and 23.5° East, respectively. Like TV-Sat, the DFS Kopernikus series has been concluded.
DFS 3 was leased to the Greek company Hellas Sat in 2002 as a stop-gap measure. It was retired in February 2003.Launch
DFS-Kopernikus 3 was launched by a Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, United States, at 09:47 UTC on 12 October 1992.
