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.
![]() A CGI impression of Skynet 5D in orbit | |
Mission type | Military communications |
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Operator | Astrium Services On behalf of British Ministry of Defence |
COSPAR ID | 2012-075A ![]() |
SATCAT no. | 39034![]() |
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 |
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]
The Ministry of Defence described the satellite as having a "key role in gathering intelligence on operations", as well as communications.[4]
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.[5] 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]
The launch placed Skynet 5D into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, from which was planned to raise itself into geostationary orbit.[5] The spacecraft was expected to be placed at a longitude of 25 degrees East.[2]
Skynet satellites | |
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Skynet 1 |
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Skynet 2 |
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Skynet 4 |
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Skynet 5 |
← 2011 · Orbital launches in 2012 · 2013 → | |
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Launches are separated by dots ( • ), payloads by commas ( , ), multiple names for the same satellite by slashes ( / ). Cubesats are smaller. Crewed flights are underlined. Launch failures are marked with the † sign. Payloads deployed from other spacecraft are (enclosed in parentheses). |
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