FAS | Space | Guide | UK | Military | Comm |||| Index | Search |

SKYNET 4

Although the follow-on Skynet 3 system never materialized, the current Skynet 4 series of spacecraft was successfully deployed during 1988-1990. Built under the direction of British Aerospace and derived from its earlier OTS and CS satellites, Skynet 4 satellites are 3-axis stabilized with an initial on-orbit mass of slightly less than 800 kg. The spacecraft bus dimensions are 1.4 m by 1.9 m by 2.1 m with a 1.2 kW solar array span of 16 m. The communications payload includes three X-band transponders and two UHF transponders.

The current Skynet 4 constellation consists of three spacecraft: Skynet 4A (launched 1 January 1990) located near 326 degrees E, Skynet 4B (launched 11 December 1988) located near 53 degrees E, and Skynet 4C (launched 30 August 1990) located near 1 degrees W. Skynets 4B and 4C were launched by Ariane, whereas Skynet 4A was launched by the U.S. Titan 3. With design lifetimes of only seven years, two more Skynet spacecraft are scheduled for launch later in this decade: 4D and 4E in 1997-1998. A variant of the Skynet 4 spacecraft has also been flown under the NATO 4 series. A pan-European military communications system, perhaps as Skynet 5, is under consideration for launch soon after the turn of the century (References 417-419).

REFERENCES

417. P.B. de Selding, "Britain Splits Skynet 4 Contract Between Delta, Ariane", Space News, 28 February - 6 March 1994, p. 10.

418. M. Williamson, "What Future for UK Military Satcoms", Space, March-April 1995, pp. 19-21.

419. "British Consider Joint Military Satellite Projects, Space News, 6-12 February 1995, p. 2.

Sources and Resources

• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

FAS | Space | Guide | UK | Military | Comm |||| Index | Search |