Garuda 1 Satellite
The Garuda-1 satellite is the communications link between a User Terminal and the Network Control
Centre (NCC) for signalling, a User Terminal and a Gateway for voice and signalling, the NCC
and the respective Gateway for signalling, and between one Gateway and another for signalling.
The Garuda-1 satellite has 2 L-band antennae with a diameter of 12 m to communicate with User Terminals (Asia Pacific coverage area with 140 spotbeams). The satellite has an in-orbit lifetime of 14 years, and will spend the first 3.7 years in an ‘inclined’ orbit. With a dry mass of approximately 2,700 kg, it has a dual power source, namely a solar array that converts solar energy into electricity, and a battery, used when the solar array is in the earth’s shadow. The satellite’s initial orbit is 123° East longitude, plus or minus 0.3° North and South, and it will be stable at 0° (the equator) when their age is more than 3.7 years.
| Vehicle | Lockheed Martin A2100AXX. Orbital Slot 123° East |
| Capacity | 11,000 circuits transmitting at 73 dBW EIRP |
| Life Span | 14 years |
| Launch | February 2000 The Garuda 1 satellite will operate on C-band and L-band frequencies for handheld mobile telecommunications services direct to end users. |