Skynet 5A
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| Skynet 5A | |
| Organisation | British Ministry of Defence |
|---|---|
| Major contractors | Paradigm Secure Communications/EADS Astrium |
| Mission type | Military communications |
| Launch date | 11 March 2007 |
| Carrier Rocket | Ariane 5ECA |
| Launch Site | ELA-3, Guiana Space Centre |
| Mission duration | 15 years |
| NSSDC ID | 2007-007A |
| Mass | 4,700 kilograms |
| Orbital elements | |
| Regime | GSO |
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.
Contents |
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 E3000 variant of the Eurostar satellite bus.
[edit] Use
Skynet 5A will be used to provide secure communications services for the British armed forces, NATO, and a number of other countries[which?]. 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 Limited, a commercial organisation which is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS Space Services, on behalf of the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence.
