COSPAR ID 2007-007B Contractor Arianespace Launch mass 4,700 kg Mission duration 15 years Rocket Ariane 5 | Launch site Kourou ELA-3 Reference system Geocentric Launch mass 4,700 kg Launch date 11 March 2007 Manufacturer Astrium | |
Mission type Military communications Operator Paradigm Secure Communications
EADS Astrium
On behalf of British Ministry of Defence Similar Skynet 5C, Spaceway‑3, TDRS‑9, TDRS‑10, TDRS‑7 | ||
Skynet 5a anchor station launch at speedcat teleport adelaide
Skynet 5A is the first in a series of new-generation Skynet military communications satellites, used by the British Ministry of Defence. It was launched aboard an Ariane 5 carrier rocket at 22:03 GMT on 11 March 2007.
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Ariane 5 liftoff skynet 5a insat 4b
Launch
Skynet 5A was one of two payloads orbited by the first Arianespace Ariane 5 launch of 2007. India's INSAT 4B communications satellite was launched on the same rocket.
It was originally planned for launch on 10 March, but due to a problem with a sensor controlling the launch pad water deluge system, the launch was delayed one day.
Construction
Skynet 5A was built by EADS Astrium, who also selected Ariane 5 as the carrier rocket to launch all three Skynet 5-series satellites. Their design is based on the Eurostar E3000 satellite bus.
Use
Skynet 5A will be used to provide secure communications services for the British armed forces, NATO, and a number of other countries. Skynet 5A had a launch mass of 4.7 tonnes, and operates with a payload power of 5 kilowatts, four times more than the previous-generation Skynet 4 satellites.
It is operated by Paradigm Secure Communications, a commercial organisation which is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS Astrium, on behalf of the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence.
Skynet 5A is located at 6 degrees East