# Eutelsat 5 West A

> decommissioned geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q448667](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q448667)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutelsat_5_West_A)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eutelsat-5-west-a

## Summary
Eutelsat 5 West A was a geostationary communications satellite operated by Eutelsat that provided television and telecommunications services from the 5° West orbital position. Launched in 2002 and decommissioned in 2023, it was originally known as Stellat 5 and Atlantic Bird 3 before being renamed.

## Key Facts
- Launched on July 5, 2002 at 23:22:00 UTC from ELA-3 using an Ariane 5G launch vehicle (mission V153)
- Operated at the 5° West geostationary orbital position for television and telecommunications services
- Had a launch mass of 4,050 kg and dry mass of 1,805 kg
- Built by Alcatel Space on the Spacebus-3000B3 platform with 2 solar arrays and 1 S400 battery
- Provided service for 20.5 years before decommissioning on January 13, 2023 at 09:57 UTC
- Moved to a graveyard orbit after decommissioning to reduce space debris
- Replaced by Eutelsat 5 West B following its retirement

## FAQs
### Q: What was Eutelsat 5 West A used for?
A: Eutelsat 5 West A was a communications satellite that provided television broadcasting and telecommunications services across Europe, North Africa, and the Americas from its position at 5° West longitude.

### Q: When and how was Eutelsat 5 West A launched?
A: The satellite was launched on July 5, 2002 at 23:22:00 UTC from the ELA-3 launch site in French Guiana using an Ariane 5G rocket as mission V153.

### Q: How long did Eutelsat 5 West A operate?
A: Eutelsat 5 West A operated for 20.5 years, from its service entry in September 2002 until its decommissioning on January 13, 2023, exceeding its original design life of 15 years.

## Why It Matters
Eutelsat 5 West A played a significant role in global communications infrastructure for over two decades, providing essential television and telecommunications services to millions of users across multiple continents. As one of Eutelsat's key satellites at the strategically important 5° West position, it enabled broadcasters to reach audiences in Europe, North Africa, and the Americas, supporting both commercial television networks and telecommunications providers. The satellite's long operational life of 20.5 years demonstrated the reliability of modern satellite technology and provided continuity of service during a period of rapid growth in satellite-based communications. Its successful decommissioning and relocation to a graveyard orbit in 2023 also exemplified responsible space operations practices, helping to mitigate space debris concerns in the increasingly congested geostationary belt.

## Notable For
- Operated for 20.5 years, significantly exceeding its 15-year design life
- Served as a critical communications hub at the prime 5° West orbital slot
- Successfully transitioned through multiple branding identities (Stellat 5, Atlantic Bird 3, Eutelsat 5 West A)
- Demonstrated responsible end-of-life operations by moving to graveyard orbit
- Provided continuous service across three continents for over two decades

## Body
### Technical Specifications
Eutelsat 5 West A was constructed by Alcatel Space using the Spacebus-3000B3 platform, featuring two solar arrays and one S400 battery for power generation and storage. The satellite had a launch mass of 4,050 kg and a dry mass of 1,805 kg, making it a substantial communications platform for its time.

### Mission History
Originally launched as Stellat 5 on July 5, 2002, the satellite began commercial operations in September of the same year. It later operated under the Atlantic Bird 3 designation before being rebranded as Eutelsat 5 West A. The satellite maintained its position at 5° West longitude throughout its operational life, providing consistent coverage for its service area.

### Communications Capabilities
As a geostationary communications satellite, Eutelsat 5 West A provided television broadcasting and telecommunications services across Europe, North Africa, and the Americas. Its position at 5° West made it particularly valuable for serving Western European markets and transatlantic communications links.

### End of Life
After more than two decades of service, Eutelsat 5 West A was decommissioned on January 13, 2023. Following industry best practices for orbital debris mitigation, the satellite was moved to a graveyard orbit, ensuring it would not pose a collision risk to other geostationary satellites. It was subsequently replaced by Eutelsat 5 West B to maintain continuity of service at the 5° West position.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/stellat-5.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://spacenews.com/eutelsat-5-west-a-successfully-retired-in-graveyard-orbit/)
4. [Source](https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=27460)