SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 Skynet 6A
Falcon 9 Block 5
Status
TBD
Date
31 DEC 2027
00:00
Mission Overview
The Skynet 6A gap-filler military communications satellite built by Airbus Defence and Space to cover the gap between the Britisch Skynet-5 network and its successor. Skynet 6A was solesourced from Airbus Defence and Space in 2017, but was not fully funded until July 2020. Aibus will build the Skynet-6A satellite in the United Kingdom and arrange a 2025 launch. RAL Space, a U.K. national laboratory, will test the all-electric satellite at its facility in Harwell. Skynet-6A, based on the Eurostar-Neo platform, is expected to provide communications services for the British military until at least 2040.
Rocket
Falcon 9 Block 5
Mission Type
Communications
Orbit
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Stages
2
Livestream
Not availableRocket Details
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
Height
70 m
Diameter
3.65 m
Launch Mass
549 T
Thrust
7,607 kN