| trans_band = 44 transponders:<br/>28 C-band<br/>16 Ku-band
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth =
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage = Asia
| programme = AsiaSat constellation
| previous_mission = AsiaSat 2
| next_mission = AsiaSat 3S
| programme2 = PanAmSat constellation
| previous_mission2 = PAS 6B
| next_mission2 = PAS 9
AsiaSat 3, previously known as HGS-1 and then PAS-22, was a geosynchronous communications satellite, which was salvaged from an unusable geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) by means of the Moon's gravity.
Launch of AsiaSat 3
AsiaSat 3 was launched for AsiaSat of Hong Kong to provide communications and television services in Asia by a Proton-K / DM-2M launch vehicle on 24 December 1997, destined for an orbital position at 105.5° East. However, a failure of the Blok DM-2M fourth stage left it stranded in a highly inclined (51.6°) and elliptical orbit, although still fully functional. It was declared a total loss by its insurers.
HGS-1
thumb|upright=1.0|left|Animation of AsiaSat 3 / HGS-1 trajectory around [[Earth from 24 December 1997 to 30 June 1998<br/><br/><br/>]]
The satellite was transferred to Hughes Global Services Inc., which was then a subsidiary of Hughes Space and Communications, with an agreement to share any profits with the consortium of 27 insurers. by Hughes Chief Technologist Jerry Salvatore. This maneuver removed only 40° of orbital inclination and left the satellite in a geosynchronous orbit, whereas the Belbruno maneuver would have removed all 51° of inclination and left it in geostationary orbit.
Although Hughes did not end up using the low-energy transfer trajectory, the insight to use a lunar swingby was key to the spacecraft rescue. According to Cesar Ocampo, Hughes had not considered this option until it was contacted by Ridenoure, although the Hughes engineers involved in the lunar flyby operations have stated that they were already working on the lunar swingby mission design before being contacted by him.
See also
- AMC-14