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 designed, built, owns, and operates the Skynet 5 MILSATCOM constellation for the UK Ministry of Defence.
Airbus has used Viasat’s UHF SATCOM technology within the Skynet satellite network since 2012.
Airbus awarded Viasat’s UK entity an $8,500,000 (GBP 6.7 million) contract to upgrade the Ultra High Frequency satellite communications Network Control Stations delivering the UHF Skynet capability to the UK Ministry of Defence.
Airbus delivered Skynet 5 as a full-service outsource contract that reduced technical and service risks for the UK Ministry of Defence and extended satellite lifespans beyond design life.
The Skynet 5 program used legacy Skynet 4 satellites and a fully refurbished ground network before launching Skynet 5A–5D.
Teams from across the space and ground segments in Airbus worked closely with UK Ministry of Defence counterparts to keep the Skynet 6A program on track.
The Skynet 5 program has provided the UK Ministry of Defence with military communications services supporting global operations since 2003.
Airbus was awarded the Skynet 6A contract in July 2020.
Airbus built the four Skynet 5 satellites, which were launched as Skynet 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D between 2007 and 2012, and all remain operating in orbit.
Complete Skynet 6A satellite integration will take place at Airbus facilities in the UK.
Complete integration of the Skynet 6A satellite will take place at Airbus facilities in the UK.
The Skynet program phase that led to Skynet 5 commenced by using legacy Skynet 4 satellites and augmenting them with a fully refurbished ground network before launching Skynet 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D.
The Skynet 5 program reduced or removed many technical and service risks for the UK Ministry of Defence while delivering secure satellite communications to UK forces.
The Skynet 5 program has provided the UK Ministry of Defence with military communications services supporting global operations since 2003 under a full service outsource contract provided by Airbus.
Airbus was awarded the Skynet 6A contract in July 2020.
Teams from across Airbus’ space and ground segments worked closely with UK Ministry of Defence counterparts to keep the Skynet 6A program on track.
Airbus Defence and Space will build the Skynet-6A satellite in the United Kingdom and arrange a 2025 launch.
The U.S. Space Force Space and Missile Systems Center and the U.K. Ministry of Defence conducted a demonstration of the Protected Tactical Waveform over the Skynet satellite system on 2020-07-13.
Skynet-6A is based on the Eurostar Neo platform and is expected to provide communications services for the British military until at least 2040.
Airbus manages the Skynet-5 network and its management contract expires in 2022.