Skynet 5D

Skynet 5D
Mission type Military communications
Operator Astrium Services
On behalf of British Ministry of Defence
COSPAR ID 2012-075A
SATCAT no. 39034Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration 15 years
Spacecraft properties
Bus Eurostar 3000S
Manufacturer Astrium
Launch mass 4,800 kilograms (10,600 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date 19 December 2012, 21:49 (2012-12-19UTC21:49Z) UTC
Rocket Ariane 5ECA VA211
Launch site Kourou ELA-3
Contractor Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Geostationary
Longitude 53° East

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.

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.[1] Its 34-metre (112 ft) solar arrays will generate a minimum of 6 kilowatts[2] to power its UHF and X-band communications systems. The satellite's payload includes jamming countermeasures.[3]

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.[4] 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.[2]

Orbit

The launch placed Skynet 5D into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, from which was planned to raise itself into geostationary orbit.[4] The spacecraft was expected to be placed at a longitude of 25 degrees East.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Skynet 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "A Satellite Launch for the British MoD and Mexico" (PDF). Arianespace. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 November 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  3. ↑ "Skynet-5D: Military satellite's classified tech". BBC News. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  4. 1 2 Bergin, Chris (19 December 2012). "Ariane 5 ECA launches Skynet 5D and Mexsat 3/Bicentenario". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved 21 December 2012.


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