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 |
Airbus has been awarded the Skynet Design Support Contract (SDSC) to provide Design Authority reach back for the UK’s SKYNET 5 and SKYNET 6A military satellite communications systems.
SKYNET 5 was procured under a private finance initiative arrangement that commenced in 2003.
The SDSC will provide post-design services to the UK Ministry of Defence and its future service providers to support the transition from SKYNET 5 towards a MOD-owned contractor-operated system under SKYNET 6.
Airbus and Northrop Grumman signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop and foster a strategic partnership in military satellite communications for the United Kingdom’s future wideband SKYNET military satellite communications program.
SKYNET 6A was designed and manufactured at Airbus Defence and Space UK’s Stevenage and Portsmouth sites.
Airbus selected the National Satellite Test Facility at Harwell in Oxfordshire to carry out the comprehensive test campaign for the UK Ministry of Defence’s SKYNET 6A.
SKYNET 6A is a geostationary telecommunications satellite that will provide secure communications services for the UK armed forces following its launch in 2025.
SKYNET 6A will be the first SKYNET military satellite to be entirely designed, built, and tested in the UK.
SKYNET 6A is a geostationary telecommunications satellite that will provide secure communications services for the United Kingdom’s armed forces following its launch in 2025.
Airbus selected the National Satellite Test Facility at Harwell in Oxfordshire to carry out the comprehensive test campaign for the UK Ministry of Defence’s SKYNET 6A satellite.
SKYNET 6A is designed and manufactured at Airbus Defence and Space UK’s Stevenage and Portsmouth sites.
SKYNET 6A will be the first SKYNET MILSATCOM satellite to be entirely designed, built, and tested in the United Kingdom.
Airbus has worked with Blacktree for more than 15 years under the UK’s SKYNET 5 secure milsatcom program.
Babcock and its partners bring the capabilities of established commercial and military satellite operators to deliver Skynet SDW solutions.
The Skynet contract awarded to Babcock is a six-year contract commencing in March 2023.
Skynet 6A, the first sixth-generation Skynet satellite, is scheduled to launch in 2025.
The Skynet contract forms part of the UK Ministry of Defence’s £6 billion Skynet 6 program.
Babcock International Group Plc has been awarded the contract to manage and operate Skynet, the UK Ministry of Defence’s military satellite communications system.
Skynet provides vital communications to the UK Armed Forces wherever they are.
Since 2016 Speedcast has provided secure hosting and maintenance services at its Australian teleport facility for access to the SKYNET system.