Skynet 5A
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This article documents a current spaceflight. Information may change rapidly as the mission progresses. |
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Skynet 5A is the first in a series of new-generation United Kingdom military communications satellites called Skynet. It was launched aboard an Ariane 5 expendable launch vehicle at 22:03 GMT, on 11 March 2007.
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[edit] Launch
Skynet 5A was one of two payloads orbited by the first Arianespace heavy-lift Ariane 5 mission of 2007. It was joined on the launch, a dual-payload mission, by India's INSAT 4B telecommunications satellite. It was originally planned for launch on the 10th of March, but due to a failure in the launching system, the flight was cancelled.
[edit] Construction
Skynet 5A was built by EADS Astrium, who selected Ariane 5 to orbit all three Skynet 5-series satellites. Their design is based on the new high-power E3000 variant of EADS Astrium's proven Eurostar satellite bus, which has accumulated over 200 years operational life.
[edit] Use
Skynet 5 spacecraft are to provide secure communications services for the British armed forces, North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) and a number of other countries. Each Skynet 5 will have a launch mass of approximately 5 metric tons, and is to operate with a payload power of 5 kilowatts — which is up to four times more than the previous-generation Skynet 4 satellites.
The Skynet 5 platforms will be operated for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence by Paradigm Secure Communications Limited, a commercial organization that is a wholly owned EADS Space Services subsidiary.
