Astrium and Paradigm and Thales Alenia Space complete their satellite launch for Skynet-5 and Turksat-3A. Astrium has now completed the Skynet 5 military satellite communications fleet with the successful launch of Skynet-5C, which is the third Skynet-5 satellite, from Kourou, French Guiana. Paradigm, part of Astrium Services, as owner and operator of the Skynet-5 system, is responsible for delivering secure communications services as part of a service provision contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) until 2020. Following the successful launches of Skynet-5A in March of 2007, and Skynet-5B in November of 2007, Paradigm is already providing enhanced secure services to the UK MoD. Astrium Space Transportation is prime contractor for the Ariane 5 system, responsible for the delivery of fully integrated and tested launch vehicles to Arianespace.
The Turksat-3A communication satellite built by Thales Alenia Space was also successfully launched on June 12th by the Ariane 5 ECA from the Kourou site, in French Guiana. The Turksat-3A satellite will enable Turksat to provide telecommunication services as well as direct TV broadcasting services across Turkey, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. With the help of its switchable transponders, Turksat-3A will act as a bridge between Europe and Asia. Turksat 3A’s Turkey coverage has been specially designed to provide very efficient gain for broadband applications like VSAT services giving customers low-cost, up-link opportunities.
Astrium Satellites is responsible for the Skynet-5 satellites and the complete communications system. Following launch, Skynet-5C, designed and built by Astrium Satellites, will now undergo a period of intensive in-orbit testing of satellite and payload before moving to its operational position at 17.8° W. Skynet-5C is the third satellite that completes the new constellation to meet the UK MoD’s milsatcoms requirements. Skynet-5C is currently in its low Earth orbit (LEO) phase, which began with partial deployment of the solar panels. Skynet-5C will then reach its geostationary orbit, followed by the deployment of the UHF receivers and transmitters, and a full testing program will commence before the first operations begin. Paradigm, Astrium Satellites, Serco, Logica, EADS DS and the MoD have worked together to make the project a success for all the stakeholders.
Based on Thales Alenia Space Spacebus 4000B2, the Turksat-3A is fitted with 24 Ku-band transponders with beginning of life power of about 8 kW. Positioned at 42° E, Turksat 3A will join the four other satellites manufactured by Thales Alenia Space for Turkey over the past 10 years, those being Turksat-1A, Turksat-1B, Turksat-1C, and Turksat-2A (Eurasiasat).
François Auque, CEO of Astrium, said: “Completing the Skynet 5 fleet with the successful launch of Skynet 5C is a remarkable milestone and I congratulate the combined teams across Astrium. We are already providing significantly enhanced services to the UK Ministry of Defence with Skynet satellites 5A and 5B, through our subsidiary Paradigm, and Skynet 5C is the pinnacle achievement for this program. It’s a triple success for Astrium. As prime contractor for the launcher Ariane 5, for the satellites, and also for the services provided, we have proved that Astrium is well and truly capable of providing a world-class secure military communications system from start to finish.” Malcolm Peto, Managing Director of Paradigm said: “The Skynet 5 program has been carefully planned for more than 10 years with meticulous detail given to delivering the best possible milsatcom services to the UK Ministry of Defence. This latest success will ensure we continue to provide our customers with nothing but the best – and I would like to thank all the individuals who contributed to this fantastic achievement.”
