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| Mission type | Militarycommunications |
|---|---|
| Operator | Paradigm Secure Communications EADS Astrium On behalf ofBritishMinistry of Defence |
| COSPAR ID | 2007-007B |
| SATCATno. | 30794 |
| 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 (2007-03-11) |
| Rocket | Ariane 5ECA |
| Launch site | KourouELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geosynchronous |
Skynet 5A is the first in a series of new-generationSkynet military communications satellites, used by theBritishMinistry of Defence.[1] It was launched aboard anAriane 5carrier rocket at 22:03GMT on 11 March 2007.[2][3]
Skynet 5A was one of two payloads orbited by the firstArianespaceAriane 5 launch of 2007. India'sINSAT 4Bcommunications 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.
Skynet 5A was built byEADS Astrium, who also selected Ariane 5 as the carrier rocket to launch all three Skynet 5-series satellites. Their design is based on theEurostar E3000 satellite bus.
Skynet 5A is being used to provide secure communications services for theBritish armed forces andNATO. 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-generationSkynet 4 satellites.
It is operated byParadigm Secure Communications, a commercial organisation which is a wholly owned subsidiary ofEADS Astrium, on behalf of the United Kingdom'sMinistry of Defence.
Skynet 5A is located at 6 degrees East
