COSPAR ID 2012-075A Rocket Ariane 5ECA VA211 Launch mass 4,800 kg Launch date 19 December 2012 Manufacturer Astrium | Mission duration 15 years Launch site Kourou ELA-3 Launch mass 4,800 kg Bus Eurostar | |
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Mission type Military communications Operator Astrium Services
On behalf of British Ministry of Defence Similar Mexsat‑3, Skynet 5C, Luch 5B, HYLAS 2, EchoStar XVI | ||
Arianespace flight va 211 skynet 5d and mexsat bicentenario satellites
Skynet 5D is a military communications satellite operated by Airbus Defence and Space on behalf of the British Ministry of Defence. It was the last of four Skynet 5 satellites to be launched.
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Spacecraft
The Skynet 5D spacecraft was constructed by Astrium, based on the Eurostar 3000S satellite bus. It had a mass at launch of approximately 4,800 kilograms (10,600 lb), and is designed to operate for at least 15 years. Its 34-metre (112 ft) solar arrays will generate a minimum of 6 kilowatts to power its UHF and X-band communications systems. The satellite's payload includes jamming countermeasures.
Launch
Skynet 5D was launched by an Ariane 5ECA carrier rocket flying from ELA-3 at Kourou. The launch occurred at 21:49 UTC on 19 December 2012. Skynet 5D was one of two satellites aboard the rocket, the other being Mexsat Bicentenario, which was located below it; Skynet 5D was mounted atop a Sylda 5 adaptor.
Orbit
The launch placed Skynet 5D into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, from which was planned to raise itself into geostationary orbit. The spacecraft was expected to be placed at a longitude of 25 degrees East.