# Ciel-1

> retired geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16061377](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16061377)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EchoStar_V)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ciel-1

## Summary
Ciel-1, also known by aliases such as EchoStar V and Ciel I, is a retired geostationary communications satellite. Launched in 1999, it operated for nearly a decade, providing telecommunications services before being decommissioned to a graveyard orbit in 2009.

## Key Facts
*   Ciel-1 is also known by aliases including EchoStar V, EchoStar 5, Sky 1A, MCI 1, and Ciel I.
*   It was launched on September 23, 1999, at 06:02:02 UTC, from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36.
*   The satellite was launched using an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle (AC-155).
*   Ciel-1 was initially operated by EchoStar from September 1999 to March 2005, and subsequently by Ciel Satellite Group from March 2005 to July 2009.
*   It is classified as a communications satellite, a geostationary satellite, and a derelict satellite.
*   The satellite had a launch weight of 3602 kilograms and a dry weight of 1500 kilograms.
*   Designed for a service life of 12 years, it operated for approximately 9.8 years.
*   Ciel-1 was manufactured by Lanteris Space Systems and utilized a Lanteris 1300 spacecraft bus.
*   It was decommissioned in July 2009, moving to a graveyard orbit.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Ciel-1?
A: Ciel-1, also known as EchoStar V, is a retired geostationary communications satellite. It was launched in 1999 and provided telecommunications services before its decommissioning in 2009.

### Q: When was Ciel-1 launched?
A: Ciel-1 was launched on September 23, 1999, from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36.

### Q: Who operated Ciel-1 during its service life?
A: Ciel-1 was initially operated by EchoStar from 1999 to 2005. From March 2005 until its decommissioning in July 2009, it was operated by the Ciel Satellite Group.

### Q: What was the purpose of Ciel-1?
A: Ciel-1 was a communications satellite designed for telecommunications, operating from a geostationary orbit.

### Q: What happened to Ciel-1 after its operational life?
A: Ciel-1 was decommissioned in July 2009 and moved to a graveyard orbit, where it remains as a derelict satellite.

## Why It Matters
Ciel-1 played a significant role in global telecommunications as a geostationary communications satellite for nearly a decade. Its operational history, including a change in operators from EchoStar to Ciel Satellite Group, illustrates the dynamic nature of satellite ownership and leasing within the commercial space industry. The satellite's eventual decommissioning to a graveyard orbit highlights the critical practice of space asset lifecycle management, ensuring non-functional satellites are moved out of active operational orbits to mitigate the growing problem of space debris. As a retired asset, Ciel-1 represents a past component of the infrastructure that supported satellite-based communication services, contributing to the evolution of satellite technology and operational protocols.

## Notable For
*   Operating under multiple names and aliases, including EchoStar V, EchoStar 5, Sky 1A, MCI 1, and Ciel I.
*   Being leased and operated by two different entities, EchoStar and Ciel Satellite Group, during its operational lifetime.
*   Its decommissioning to a graveyard orbit in 2009, marking its transition to a derelict satellite status.
*   Being launched by an Atlas IIAS, an American expendable launch system.

## Body

### Overview
Ciel-1, also known by aliases such as EchoStar V, EchoStar 5, Sky 1A, MCI 1, and Ciel I, is a retired geostationary communications satellite. Originating from the United States, it is classified as a communications satellite, a geostationary satellite, and a derelict satellite.

### Technical Specifications
*   **Manufacturer**: Lanteris Space Systems
*   **Spacecraft Bus**: Lanteris 1300
*   **Mass**:
    *   Launch weight: 3602 kilograms
    *   Dry weight: 1500 kilograms
*   **Power**: Powered by 2 spacecraft solar arrays.
*   **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit.
*   **Service Life**:
    *   Design life: 12 years
    *   Actual service life: 9.8 years

### Operational History
Ciel-1 was launched on September 23, 1999, at 06:02:02 UTC. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36, utilizing an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle (AC-155).

*   **Operators**:
    *   **EchoStar**: Operated Ciel-1 from its launch in September 1999 until March 2005.
    *   **Ciel Satellite Group**: Leased and operated Ciel-1 from March 2005 until its decommissioning in July 2009.

*   **Significant Events**:
    *   **1999-09-23**: Rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36.
    *   **2005-03-00**: Leased to Ciel Satellite Group.
    *   **2009-07-00**: Spacecraft decommissioning to a graveyard orbit.

### Classification and Relationships
Ciel-1 is considered part of the EchoStar fleet of communications satellites. In its operational sequence, it followed EchoStar IV and was subsequently followed by BermudaSat-1 and Ciel-2.

### Identifiers
*   **SCN**: 25913
*   **COSPAR ID**: 1999-050A
*   **NSSDCA ID**: 1999-050A
*   **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/1s048b1nh
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Entity["Satellite", "25913"]

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Ciel-1",
  "description": "retired geostationary communications satellite",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EchoStar_V"
  ],
  "additionalType": [
    "https://schema.org/Satellite",
    "https://schema.org/CommunicationsSatellite"
  ]
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/echostar-5.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](http://www.tbs-satellite.com/tse/online/sat_echostar_5.html)
4. [Source](https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=25913)