Skynet 5A
| Mission type | Military communications |
|---|---|
| Operator |
Paradigm Secure Communications EADS Astrium On behalf of British Ministry of Defence |
| COSPAR ID | 2007-007B |
| Mission duration | 15 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | EADS Astrium |
| Launch mass | 4,700 kilograms (10,400 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 11 March 2007 |
| Rocket | Ariane 5ECA |
| Launch site | Kourou ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geosynchronous |
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.
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