Skynet 4A [Astrium]
Skynet 4 was the third generation of UK Ministry of Defense communications satellites. They provided jam-proof communications service between fixed and mobile land and sea-based ground stations. The payload housed one four-channel SHF transponder and one two-channel UHF transponder. An EHF transponder was available for propagation experiments on Skynet 4A. Built by British Aerospace, the satellite measured 2.1 m by 1.4 m. Solar arrays spanning 16m provided 1,200 W of power.
Skynet 4D, E and F are improved versions, featuring an enhance communication payload.
Nation: | UK |
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Type / Application: | Military communication |
Operator: | MoD |
Contractors: | BAe → Matra Marconi → Astrium |
Equipment: | 4 SHF transponders (all), 2 UHF transponders (all), 2 C-band transponders (#D-F) |
Configuration: | ECS-Bus |
Propulsion: | Star-30E |
Power: | 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries |
Lifetime: | 6 years |
Mass: | 1250 kg (#A-C); 1500 kg (#D-F) |
Orbit: | GEO |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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Skynet 4A | 1990-001A | 01.01.1990 | CC LC-40 | Commercial-Titan-3 [PAM-D2] | with JCSat 2 | |
Skynet 4B | 1988-109A | 11.12.1988 | Ko ELA-2 | Ariane-44LP H10 | with Astra 1A | |
Skynet 4C | 1990-079A | 30.08.1990 | Ko ELA-2 | Ariane-44LP H10 | with Eutelsat-2 F1 | |
Skynet 4D | 1998-002A | 10.01.1998 | CC LC-17B | Delta-7925 | ||
Skynet 4E | 1999-009B | 26.02.1999 | Ko ELA-2 | Ariane-44L H10-3 | with Arabsat 3A | |
Skynet 4F | 2001-005B | 07.02.2001 | Ko ELA-2 | Ariane-44L H10-3 | with SICRAL 1 |