AMC-21, or Americom-21, is a communications satellite operated by SES Americom. It was launched in August 2008 and is expected to remain in service for approximately 15 years. It is currently located at 125° West longitude.

Spacecraft and mission design

AMC-21 is based on a STAR-2 platform that provides 4.4 kilowatts of power for the communications payload. The platform will support a 15-year on-orbit mission life. It carries 24 J band (IEEE Ku band) transponders, which will be used to broadcast television signals to Canada the Caribbean, Mexico, and the United States.

Manufacture and launch

Thales Alenia Space was the prime contractor for AMC-21, and provided the satellite's communications payload. The STAR-2 bus was subcontracted to Orbital Sciences Corporation, as were integration and testing of the satellite. As prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space delivered the completed satellite to SES Americom.

AMC-21 was launched, along with the Superbird 7 satellite, by an Ariane 5ECA rocket on 14 August 2008. The satellite separated from the carrier rocket in a geosynchronous transfer orbit. An onboard IHI-500N engine then raised it to an operational geosynchronous orbit and placed it at a longitude of 125° West of the Greenwich Meridian. After successful completion of in-orbit testing, SES Americom took operational control of AMC-21 in September 2008.

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