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Skynet

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Status: Operational 1974. First Launch: 1974-01-19. Last Launch: 1974-11-23. Number: 2 . Gross mass: 129 kg (284 lb).

NATO 1 British military communications satellite. Military communications. Military communication satellite built by Philco Ford Space & Reentry Systems Division for NATO, USA. Launched 1970-1971. Used Skynet-1 Bus.

• Skynet contract award. - . Spacecraft: Skynet.

  Space Systems Division awarded the Space and Reentry Systems Division of Philco-Ford Corporation a contract for the development and production of the spacecraft for the United Kingdom's Skynet. Two spin-stabilized, synchronous, station-keeping satellites were to be produced. Thrust Augmented Thor/Delta boosters and launch services would be procured from NASA by Space Systems Division to place the satellite into orbit. When operational, both Skynet satellites would form part of the larger United States Initial Defense Satellite Communication System Program (IDSCS).

• Communications satellite system for NATO. - . Spacecraft Bus: Skynet. Spacecraft: NATO 1.

  The Department of Defense directed SAMSO to procure a communications satellite system for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Essentially, the NATO system was a duplication of the British Skynet communications satellite system developed and built by Philco-Ford.

• Two-satellite communications system for NATO. - . Spacecraft Bus: Skynet. Spacecraft: NATO 1.

  After completion of an agreement between the Defense Department and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), SAMSO initiated procurement of a two-satellite communications system for NATO. Philco-Ford Corporation was selected to build the two satellites that would be nearly identical to those produced for the United Kingdom's Skynet program.

• Skynet 1A - . Mass: 243 kg (535 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: MoD. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Skynet. Spacecraft: NATO 1. Completed Operations Date: 1980-01-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 4250 . COSPAR: 1969-101A. Apogee: 35,894 km (22,303 mi). Perigee: 35,682 km (22,171 mi). Inclination: 13.90 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  Skynet IA, the first of two Skynet military communications satellite built for the United Kingdom by the Philco-Ford Corporation, was launched from Cape Canaveral aboard a NASA Long Tank Thrust Augmented Thor/Delta (DSV-3L). The satellite was turned over to the United Kingdom on 30 January 1970, providing the United Kingdom with its first operational military communications satellite system. The Skynet satellites were designed to be usable with the Initial Defense Satellite Communication System (IDSCS) satellites of the United States. Over Indian Ocean. Military communications. Previously registered by the United States in A/AC.105/INF.220: 1969-101A, orbital data 276 x 36716 km x 28.0 deg, category C. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Indian Ocean at 41 deg E in 1969-1972?; ??? 1972-1977; over the Americas at 100-110 deg W in 1977-1998 As of 26 August 2001 located at 104.51 deg W drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 106.94W drifting at 0.015W degrees per day.

• NATO 1 - . Payload: NATO IIA. Mass: 243 kg (535 lb). Nation: NATO. Agency: NATO. Program: NATO. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Skynet. Spacecraft: NATO 1. Completed Operations Date: 1977-01-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 4353 . COSPAR: 1970-021A. Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Perigee: 35,768 km (22,225 mi). Inclination: 13.40 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min.

  The first of two communications satellites built for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by the Philco-Ford Corporation under a SAMSO contract was launched from Cape Canaveral aboard a NASA Long Tank Thrust Augmented Thor/ Delta booster. Inserted into synchronous orbit on 23 March, the satellite was turned over to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Forces Europe (SHAFE) on 19 May. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 18 deg W in 1970-1972; over the Americas at 100-110 deg W in 1977-1998 As of 3 September 2001 located at 101.97 deg W drifting at 0.023 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 100.55W drifting at 0.016W degrees per day.

• Skynet II begun. - . Spacecraft: Skynet. The British government, assisted by Air Force Systems Command's Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO), began development of Skynet II, an advanced satellite communications system..

• Skynet 1B - . Mass: 243 kg (535 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: MoD. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Skynet. Spacecraft: NATO 1. USAF Sat Cat: 4493 . COSPAR: 1970-062A. Apogee: 37,460 km (23,270 mi). Perigee: 278 km (172 mi). Inclination: 25.90 deg. Period: 665.40 min.

  The second of two British Skynet I communication satellites (Skynet B) was launched from Cape Canaveral for U.S. Air Force and United Kingdom aboard a NASA Long Tank Thrust Augmented Thor/ Delta (DSV-3M) space booster. The spacecraft was placed in a transfer orbit prior to firing of the apogee kick motor that was to put it into a synchronous orbit over Kenya. Contact with Skynet B was lost during the firing of the apogee kick motor on 22 August and was not regained. The Skynet I satellites were part of the Initial Defense Satellite Communication System (TDSCS) program which was managed for the United Kingdom by SAMSO, with NASA providing launch vehicles and services. AKM failure left in unusable orbit. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

• Skynet Ii contracts - . Spacecraft: Skynet. The British government announced the contractual awards for acquisition of Skynet II, a more advanced satellite communications system. As with Skynet I, SAMSO participated actively in the development .

• NATO 2 - . Payload: NATO IIB. Mass: 243 kg (535 lb). Nation: NATO. Agency: NATO. Program: NATO. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Skynet. Spacecraft: NATO 1. Completed Operations Date: 1984-06-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 4902 . COSPAR: 1971-009A. Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Inclination: 13.90 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  The second NATO military communications satellite (NATO IIB) was launched by NASA aboard a Thrust Augmented Thor/Delta booster. Developed for NATO under SAMSO program management, the spacecraft was first placed in a transfer orbit and then moved into an acceptable synchronous orbit on 4 February. Although numerous difficulties were experienced prior to launch, the satellite achieved its stationary orbit and has performed successfully since then. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 26 deg W in 1971-1975?; over the Americas at 105 deg W in 1976-1983; over the Americas at 110 deg W in 1983; over the Americas at 105 deg W in 1983-1998 As of 5 September 2001 located at 104.88 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 105.24W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.

• Skynet 2A - . Mass: 129 kg (284 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: MoD. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Skynet. Decay Date: 1974-01-25 . USAF Sat Cat: 7096 . COSPAR: 1974-002A. Apogee: 1,803 km (1,120 mi). Perigee: 104 km (64 mi). Inclination: 37.50 deg. Period: 104.10 min. The first of two British satellites-Skynet IIA-was launched from the Eastern Test Range. The payload was lost.

• Skynet 2B - . Payload: Skynet 2A. Mass: 129 kg (284 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: MoD. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Skynet. Completed Operations Date: 1992-01-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 7547 . COSPAR: 1974-094A. Apogee: 35,822 km (22,258 mi). Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Inclination: 12.20 deg. Period: 1,436.90 min.

  A Thor-Delta launched from the Eastern Test Range lifted the second of two Skynet II (Skynet IIB) defense communications satellite for the United Kingdom into an elliptical transfer orbit. Two days later, a firing of the satellite's apogee boost motor placed the satellite in a near circular orbit prior to final positioning in a synchronous orbit over the Indian Ocean. The first Skynet II satellite, Skynet IIA, was lost in January 1974 due to a booster failure after launch from Cape Canaveral. Military communications. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Indian Ocean at 50-55 deg E in 1975-1977; drifting As of 3 September 2001 located at 18.23 deg E drifting at 0.206 deg W per day. As of 2007 Feb 27 located at 54.93E drifting at 0.393E degrees per day.

• NATO satellite IIB fails. - . Spacecraft Bus: Skynet. Spacecraft: NATO 1. All user access on NATO satellite IIB was terminated because of the failure of the last traveling wavetube amplifier. The satellite was moved to 107 degrees West longitude on 31 October 1976..

• Skynet 4B - . Mass: 1,433 kg (3,159 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: MoD. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. Completed Operations Date: 1988-06-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 19687 . COSPAR: 1988-109A. Apogee: 35,967 km (22,348 mi). Perigee: 35,933 km (22,327 mi). Inclination: 7.50 deg. Period: 1,444.40 min.

  British military communications; 1 deg W. Military communications. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg W in 1989-1990; 53 deg E in 1990-1998 As of 4 September 2001 located at 60.05 deg E drifting at 2.136 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 126.32E drifting at 2.116W degrees per day.

• Skynet 4A - . Payload: Skynet 4A [PAM-D2] / JCSat 2 [Orbus-7S]. Mass: 1,463 kg (3,225 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: MoD. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. USAF Sat Cat: 20401 . COSPAR: 1990-001A. Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Inclination: 5.50 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  British military communications; 6 deg E. Military communications. Expected life approx 7 years. Owner/operator: Ministry of Defence, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 6 deg E in 1990; 29 deg E in 1991; 65 deg E in 1991; 34 deg W in 1992-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 34.01 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 63.46W drifting at 4.595W degrees per day.

• Skynet 4C - . Mass: 1,463 kg (3,225 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: MoD. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. USAF Sat Cat: 20776 . COSPAR: 1990-079A. Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Inclination: 2.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  UK military communications; 1 deg W. United Kingdom military communications satellite. Owner/operator: UK Ministry of Defence. Expected operational life 10 years. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 1 deg W in 1990-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 0.97 deg W drifting at 0.002 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 1.27W drifting at 0.000W degrees per day.

• Skynet 4D - . Mass: 1,490 kg (3,280 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: MoD. Manufacturer: Martin. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. USAF Sat Cat: 25134 . COSPAR: 1998-002A. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 3.90 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. Geostationary at 52.8 degrees E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 53 deg E in 1998-1999; moving As of 4 September 2001 located at 34.00 deg W drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 34.33W drifting at 0.016W degrees per day..

• Skynet 4E - . Mass: 1,490 kg (3,280 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: MoD. Manufacturer: Stevenage. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. USAF Sat Cat: 25639 . COSPAR: 1999-009B. Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 7.20 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Skynet 4E was a SHF/UHF military communications satellite for the UK Ministry of Defense. Dry mass was 759 kg; it used a Thiokol Star 30 solid apogee motor. Stationed at 53 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 53 deg E in 1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 52.91 deg E drifting at 0.000 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 53.02E drifting at 0.005E degrees per day.

• Skynet 4F - . Mass: 2,596 kg (5,723 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: MoD. Manufacturer: Alenia. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. USAF Sat Cat: 26695 . COSPAR: 2001-005B. Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Inclination: 2.90 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Skynet 4F was a communications satellite for the UK Ministry of Defense, and the last of the venerable ECS (European Communications Satellite) class of satellites built by Astrium/Stevenage. It carried a Thiokol Star 30 apogee motor and its mass was 1489 kg full, 830 kg dry - a dry mass more than twice the first OTS. The spacecraft carried a total of eight transponders in the SHF-, UHF-, and S-bands to provide secure communications after parking over either 1 deg-E or 6 deg-W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 6 deg E in 2001 As of 5 September 2001 located at 8.77 deg E drifting at 0.284 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 6.01E drifting at 0.004E degrees per day.

• Skynet 5A - . Payload: Eurostar 3000S. Mass: 4,635 kg (10,218 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: Paradigm. Manufacturer: EADS Astrium. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Eurostar 3000. USAF Sat Cat: 30794 . COSPAR: 2007-007B. Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. Skynet 5A was launched by Paradigm Secure Communications as part of its turnkey contract to provide a secure communications satellite network to the British military and NATO..

• Skynet 5B - . Payload: Eurostar 3000S. Mass: 4,635 kg (10,218 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: Paradigm. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Eurostar 3000. USAF Sat Cat: 32294 . COSPAR: 2007-056B. Apogee: 35,789 km (22,238 mi). Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. Skynet 5B was designed to provide communications services in the SHF and UHF bands to the UK Ministry of Defence..

• Skynet 5C - . Payload: Eurostar 3000S. Mass: 4,638 kg (10,225 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: Arianespace. Program: Skynet. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Eurostar 3000. USAF Sat Cat: 33055 . COSPAR: 2008-030A. Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Inclination: 0.60 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.