Skynet 5C

Launch data: Designation  33055 / 08030A Launch date  12 Jun 2008 - 22:05 UT Launch site  Ko, ELA-3 Launch vehicle  Ariane-5ECA (V-183) Mission  Military comsat Geostationary orbit: Perigee / Apogee  35773 x 35813 km Eccentricity   Inclination  0.1 deg Period  1436.1 min

Description:

• Skynet 5C is the third and currently final Skynet 5 military communications satellite, to be used by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD). The satellite carries an X-band communications payload to reach military users throughout a large swath of Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Equipped with 24 super-high-frequency and UHF channels, the satellite will serve as an orbital relay station for secure jam-resistant voice, video and digital communications between commanders and troops deployed around the world

Mission details:

• Arianespace launched Ariane 5ECA vehicle L540 on flight V183 on Jun 12. The EPC stage reached a -1062 x 172 km x 6.8 deg sub-orbit, and the ESC-A stage delivered two satellites to transfer orbit.
• Skynet 5C is an Astrium Eurostar E3000 satellite for Paradigm, the private company which operates the Skynet system for the UK Ministry of Defence.

External links:

• Satellite tracking (n2ya.com): Real time satellite tracking

Astrophilately covers:

Launch cancel Kourou.

Headquarter cancel Paris.