Skynet 4C & Eutelsat 2F1

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

22:46:00

Thursday August 30, 1990

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Flight V38.

Eutelsat 2F1

Wiki

In 1990 Eutelsat began the deployment of the second generation Eutelsat spacecraft procured directly from Aerospatiale and based on the Spacebus-2000 design. Each Eutelsat 2 spacecraft supports 16 transponders (with eight spares) operating at 14/11 GHz and 50 W output power. In orbit, the spacecraft spans 22.4 m across the two rectangular solar arrays which generate up to 3.5 kW. Eutelsat 2 employs two 1.6 m diameter multifeed reflectors, one on each side of the spacecraft bus.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

1,878 kilograms

Skynet 4C

Wiki

Skynet is a family of military communications satellites, now operated by Astrium Services on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence, which provide strategic communication services to the three branches of the British Armed Forces and to NATO forces engaged in coalition tasks. The satellites were operated by Paradigm Secure Communications until October 2012 when the organisation was rebranded to Astrium Services.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

1,250 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 44LP

Active 1988 to 2001

European Space Agency logo

Manufacturer

ESA

Rocket

Diameter: 3.8m

Height: 58.72m

Payload to Orbit

GTO: 4,220 kg

Liftoff Thrust

5,800 Kilonewtons

Stages

3

Strap-ons

4

Launch Site

ELA-2

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

16 days

Stats

Ariane 4


10th

Mission

4th

Mission of 1990

European Space Agency


29th

Mission

4th

Mission of 1990

1990


83rd

Orbital launch attempt