Skynet-5D Military Communications Satellite Launched

20/12/2012 by Paul Fiddian - Armed Forces International's Lead Reporter

UK Armed Forces communications are set to be further enhanced after the Skynet-5D military satellite launch on 19 December 2012.

With three Skynet satellites already in orbit, Skynet-5D will link up UK Armed Forces personnel deployed around the world. They include troops in Afghanistan and the Falklands Islands and personnel onboard countless Royal Navy ships presently sailing the seas.

Manufactured by EADS Astrium, Skynet-5D takes its design cue from Astrium's Eurostar E3000 satellite. It weighs approximately 4,700 kilograms, boasts extensive solar panelling and generates around five kilowatts in power. Its top speed is some 6,000 miles an hour and, during its space deployment, Skynet-5D is set to cover a distance of close to 800 million miles.

Skynet Military Satellite

The three previous Skynet military satellite launches took place between 2007 and 2008. The Skynet-5D launch occurred at 2149 hours on 19 December and involved an Ariane 5-ECA rocket.

UK Armed Forces personnel get guaranteed internet services all year round but any spare capacity is then gives to other militaries, predominantly the US and other NATO partners.

It's believed that Skynet-5D will be the last satellite of its kind sent into orbit. However, given the significance of communications among armed forces the world over, it's highly likely that satellite capability will be drawn on for some time yet.

Military Communications Technology

While Skynet's predominantly a military communications technology, it also has civilian applications, as Astrium Services Simon Kershaw explained.

"Using Skynet, we also support something called the High Integrity Telecommunication System (HITS) for the UK Cabinet Office", he said in comments quoted by the BBC. "HITS is a civil-response, national-disaster-response capability. The network runs from police strategic command centres across the UK into the crisis management centres, and into government as well. And we still fly three of the old Skynet-4 satellites, one of which is now 22 years old - not bad for a design life of eight years.

"Skynet-4C is now in such an inclined orbit that we offer several hours of coverage over the South Pole each day. It's a niche and unique capability for what is a geostationary satellite."