AMC-8 (GE-8) (26639)

COSPAR: 2000-081B | Alt Name: GE 8

Image
AMC-8 (GE-8) Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

December 20, 2000

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA3

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 5G

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

26639

International Designator

2000-081B

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:59:33 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

6.16°

Right Ascension

72.35°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

251.16°

Period

1452.32 min

Mean Motion

0.99 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

AMC-8 (GE-8)

Alternative Name

GE 8

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

AMCG

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 26639U 00081B   26184.99969807 -.00000226  00000-0  00000-0 0  9994
2 26639   6.1630  72.3546 0003546 251.1648 274.9444  0.99151884 93355

Source: Celestrak

Summary
AMC-8 (also known as GE-8) is a communication satellite owned by AMCG and manufactured by LMCSS. It was launched on December 20, 2000, from ELA3 at the FRGUI launch site using an Ariane 5G launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 4.1 meters in length and 3.6 meters in diameter with a span of 14.5 meters. It carries 24 C-band transponders as its equipment payload. The dry mass is recorded at 919 kilograms, while the launch mass was 2015 kilograms. AMC-8 has two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply. Its designed lifetime is 15 years, though it achieved a lifespan of 22 years. The satellite's shape is described as a box with two panels, and its country of origin is the US.
Physical Characteristics

Length

4.1

Diameter

3.6

Span

14.5

Dry Mass

919

Launch Mass

2015

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

25.1189

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

GE 8

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

LMCSS

Life Expectancy

15 years (design); 22 years (#8 reached)

Bus

A2100A

Configuration

A2100A

Motor

Leros 1C

Equipment

24 C-band transponders

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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