Skynet 5C

{{Infobox spaceflight

| name = Skynet 5C

| image = Skynet-5 satellite.jpg

| image_caption =

| mission_type = Military communications

| operator = Paradigm Secure Communications
EADS Astrium
On behalf of British Ministry of Defence

| website =

| COSPAR_ID =

| SATCAT =

| mission_duration = 15 years

| spacecraft_bus =

| manufacturer = EADS Astrium

| dry_mass =

| launch_mass = {{convert|4700|kg|lb}}

| power =

| launch_date = {{start-date|12 June 2008}}

| launch_rocket = Ariane 5ECA

| launch_site = Kourou ELA-3

| launch_contractor = Arianespace

| entered_service =

| disposal_type =

| deactivated =

| orbit_epoch =

| orbit_reference = Geocentric

| orbit_regime = Geosynchronous

| orbit_periapsis =

| orbit_apoapsis =

| orbit_inclination =

| orbit_period =

| apsis = gee

}}

Skynet 5C is the third of four Skynet 5 military communications satellites to be used by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD).

Launch

It was launched from French Guiana aboard an Ariane 5ECA carrier rocket at 22:05:02 GMT on 12 June 2008.{{cite news|title=Successful dual launch for Arianespace: Skynet 5C and Turksat 3A in orbit; 25th successful launch in a row for Ariane 5|date=June 12, 2008|url=https://www.arianespace.com/press-release/successful-dual-launch-for-arianespace-skynet-5c-and-turksat-3a-in-orbit-25th-successful-launch-in-a-row-for-ariane-5/|publisher=Arianespace|access-date=March 18, 2023}} The launch was originally scheduled for 23 May, but was delayed to 30 May, and then delayed again due to software problems with the carrier rocket. Originally built as a ground spare satellite, the decision to launch was made in 2007. Arianespace provided launch services.

Spacecraft

It was constructed by EADS Astrium under a contract to its subsidiary company Paradigm Secure Communications, who will operate the satellite on behalf of the MoD. Based on the Eurostar E3000 satellite bus, it has a mass of 4,700 kilograms, and an expected on-orbit lifetime of 15 years.{{cite web|last=Krebs|first=Gunter D. |title=Skynet 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D|website=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=March 18, 2023|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/skynet-5.htm}}

Skynet 5C is part of a constellation of communications satellites for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense that supports nuclear hardened and protected military X-band and UHF frequency capabilities.{{cite web|title=What is Skynet? A look at Britain's military communications satellites|author=George Allison|date=May 21, 2018|url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/what-is-skynet-a-look-at-britains-military-communications-satellites/

|website=ukdefencejournal.org.uk|access-date=March 18, 2023}}

Skynet 5C is located at 17.8 degrees West.{{cite web|url=https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=33055|title=Satbeams - Skynet 5C|website=satbeams.com|access-date=March 18, 2023}}

References

Category:Communications satellites in geostationary orbit

Category:Military satellites of the United Kingdom

Category:Spacecraft launched in 2008

Category:Satellites using the Eurostar bus

Category:Spacecraft launched by Ariane rockets