United Kingdom Skynet military communications spacecraft fleet.
0 forecast rows linked to this constellation.
| Forecast entry | Year | Satellites | Orbit | Vehicle | Manufacturer | Mission | Launch likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 linked spacecraft shown.
No public forecast rows are currently linked to this constellation.
No public forecast rows are currently linked to this constellation.
| active |
| GEO |
| Mar 11, 2007 |
| Skynet 5B | active | GEO | Nov 14, 2007 |
| Skynet 5C | active | GEO | Jun 12, 2008 |
| Skynet 5D | active | GEO | Dec 19, 2012 |
| Skynet 4A | retired | GEO | Jan 1, 1990 |
| Skynet 4B | retired | GEO | Dec 11, 1988 |
| Skynet 4D | retired | GEO | Jan 10, 1998 |
| Skynet 4F | retired | GEO | Feb 7, 2001 |
| Skynet IA | retired | GEO | Nov 22, 1969 |
| Skynet IB | retired | HEO | Aug 19, 1970 |
| Skynet IIA | retired | LEO | Jan 19, 1974 |
| Skynet IIB | retired | GEO | Nov 23, 1974 |
The United Kingdom will spend around 4.2 billion pounds on the next generation of the Skynet military communications constellation.
Skynet 5 has provided hybrid-network-like capabilities for about 20 years with multi-orbit, multi-frequency, and multi-provider connectivity, though it was not originally designed as a hybrid network.
Bylina-MM is a Russian system designed to suppress on-board transponders of communications satellites such as Milstar, Skynet, and Italsat.
Skynet JSAT has selected SpaceX as a partner for the launch services of its communication satellites JSAT-31 and JSAT-32.
Skynet JSAT has signed a contract with SpaceX for the launch services.
JSAT Space Line utilizes ground stations operated by Skynet JSAT in Hokkaido, Ibaraki, and Okinawa, along with two overseas ground stations owned by KSAT.
Skynet JSAT Corporation launched the near-Earth tracking network service 'JSAT Space Line' on October 28, 2025.
The UK Ministry of Defence successfully trialed technology from this collaboration as part of the Skynet 5 and Skynet 6 satcomms projects.
A Long March 3B launched two Smart Skynet-1 (01) satellites from Xichang Satellite Launch Center on 2024-05-08 at 9:43 p.m. Eastern (0143 UTC 2024-05-09).
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation confirmed the launch successfully deployed the Smart Skynet-1 (01) satellites A and B.
SAST envisions Smart Skynet being joined with China’s low Earth orbit communications megaconstellations and geostationary communications satellites to serve all user types and domains.
Smart Skynet-1 (01) satellite B is equipped with an inter-satellite laser link experiment payload.
Tsingshen Tech intends for the completed Smart Skynet constellation to provide personalized network services with no blind spots globally.
Tsingshen Tech plans to expand the Smart Skynet constellation to 16 satellites consisting of two groups and potentially to 32 satellites consisting of four groups.
Smart Skynet-1 (01) satellite A is equipped with a multi-beam high-speed microwave link, an inter-satellite two-way laser link, and an onboard digital processing and forwarding platform.
Smart Skynet-1 (01) satellites A and B were developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology for Shanghai Tsingshen Technology Development Co. Ltd.
Skynet 6 Service Delivery Wrap will provide services necessary to support the current Skynet 5 infrastructure and the successful transition and continuous delivery of service for future Skynet operations.
On 2024-03-01, Babcock confirmed the successful start of operations of SKYNET, the United Kingdom’s constellation of military satellites and ground stations, and the integration of terminals into the Ministry of Defence network.
Lockheed Martin is competing for projects under the ISTARI program and is competing with Airbus in the $7,000,000,000 Skynet 6 strategic communications satellite program.
e2E is part of a consortium developing the U.K.’s Skynet 6 military satellite communications program.