Skynet 5C

Mission type	Military communications
Operator	Paradigm Secure Communications EADS Astrium On behalf of British Ministry of Defence
COSPAR ID	2008-030A
SATCAT no.	33055
Mission duration	15 years
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	EADS Astrium
Launch mass	4,700 kilograms (10,400 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	12 June 2008 (2008-06-12)
Rocket	Ariane 5ECA
Launch site	Kourou ELA-3
Contractor	Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Geosynchronous

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.^[1] 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.^[2]

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.^[3]

Skynet 5C is located at 17.8 degrees West.^[4]