Astrium has successfully launched the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Skynet 5D satellite system into orbit onboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from the Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana, South America.
Representing the fourth satellite of the Skynet 5 project, the spacecraft was placed into space 27 minutes after lift off, and is now scheduled to move into a geostationary position at 36,000km altitude using its own propulsion system, as reported by the BBC News.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Expected to be in a 53° East orbital slot in 2013, the satellite joins three previously launched Skynet 5 spacecraft to provide beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communication capabilities to UK troops in Afghanistan, the Falklands, Cyprus and on ships at sea.
MOD Defence Equipment and Support organisation networks head colonel Mike Griffiths said the Skynet programme is designed to deliver vital support to the deployed British Armed Forces worldwide.
”The launch of this latest satellite will deliver additional global communications capacity to support our operations,” Griffiths added.
UK defence secretary Philip Hammond said: ”These satellites provide essential secure communication channels for our armed forces in Afghanistan and allow all three services to communicate with each other.”
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataDuring its orbit mission, the 5t-satellite is expected to travel at speeds of 10,000km/hr, while also covering approximately 1.2 billion kilometres.
Based on Astrium’s successful Eurostar E3000 series, the Skynet 5 satellites are designed to enable the Royal Air Force, UK Army and Royal Navy to rapidly transmit additional data between command centres and make use of next-generation weapons, such as Reaper drones.
The programme includes production of four satellites, namely Skynet 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, as part of a £4bn Private Finance Initiative programme with the MoD, which started in 2007.
Skynet 5A was launched by an Ariane 5 rocket in March 2007, followed by Skynet 5B in November 2007 and Skynet 5C in June 2008.
Image: The Skynet 5D satellite lifts off from French Guiana in South America, Photo: S Martin. © ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE / Optique vidéo du CSG.
