- Skynet 5C
Infobox Spacecraft
Organisation = British Ministry of Defence
Major_Contractors =Paradigm Secure Communications /EADS Astrium
Mission_Type = Military communications
Launch =12 June 2008
Carrier_Rocket = Ariane 5ECA
Launch_Site =ELA-3 ,Guiana Space Centre
Mission_Duration = 15 years
NSSDC_ID =
Mass = 4,700 kilograms
Orbit_regime = GSOSkynet 5C is the third and currently final Skynet 5
military communications satellite , to be used by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD). It was launched fromFrench Guiana aboard an Ariane 5ECAcarrier rocket at 22:05:02GMT on12 June 2008 . The launch was originally scheduled for23 May , but was delayed to30 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.It was constructed by
EADS Astrium under a contract toParadigm Secure Communications , who will operate the satellite on behalf of the MoD. Based on theEurostar-3000S satellite bus , it has a mass of 4,700 kilograms, and an expected on-orbit lifetime of 15 years. [ [http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://www.skyrocket.de/space/doc_sdat/skynet-5.htm Skynet 5A, 5B, 5C - Gunter's Space Page] ]ee also
*
Skynet 5A
*Skynet 5B References
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