astronomy

Nimiq-4

Nimiq-4 is a astronomy topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Nimiq-4 rather than just read about it. In short: Nimiq-4 is a Canadian geosynchronous communications satellite. It was launched aboard a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle at 21:48:00 UTC on 19 September 2008.

Key takeaways

Nimiq-4 belongs to astronomy; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Nimiq-4 to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Nimiq-4 from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Nimiq-4 is a Canadian geosynchronous communications satellite. It was launched aboard a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle at 21:48:00 UTC on 19 September 2008. It was positioned at 82.0° West longitude, and operated by Telesat Canada.

Spacecraft The satellite was constructed by EADS Astrium, using a Eurostar-3000S bus. It is powered by two solar panels, with a span of 39 m (128 ft), producing 12 kW of power. The launch mass of the satellite is 4,850 kg (10,690 lb), with fuel. It carries 40 transponders, 32 of which operate in the Ku-band, and 8 which operate in the Ka-band. It provides digital HDTV to Canada and United States.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Nimiq-4

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Nimiq-4 claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In astronomy, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Nimiq-4 before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Nimiq-4 ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Nimiq-4

In research: Nimiq-4 appears in astronomy research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Nimiq-4 in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Nimiq-4 is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Communications satellite stubs, Communications satellites in geostationary orbit, Nimiq satellites, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Nimiq-4 outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Nimiq-4 in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Nimiq-4 means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Nimiq-4 out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Nimiq-4 in simple terms?

Nimiq-4 is a Canadian geosynchronous communications satellite. It was launched aboard a Proton-M / Briz-M launch vehicle at 21:48:00 UTC on 19 September 2008.

Why does Nimiq-4 matter?

Because it connects several astronomy ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Nimiq-4?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Nimiq-4.