# Eutelsat I F-1

> decommissioned European communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q10492270](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10492270)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutelsat_I_F-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eutelsat-i-f-1

## Summary
Eutelsat I F-1 is a decommissioned European communications satellite that was launched on June 16, 1983, using an Ariane 1 rocket. It operated in geostationary orbit for 13 years before being decommissioned in 1996.

## Key Facts
- Launched on June 16, 1983 at 11:59:03 from ELA-1 using an Ariane 1 rocket (L6)
- Has a mass of 1,158 kilograms
- Was manufactured by British Aerospace using the ECS-Bus spacecraft bus
- Also known as Eutelsat 1 F-1, ECS 1, and European Communications Satellite 1
- Was operated by Eutelsat and served in geostationary orbit
- Had a service life of 13 years (from 1983 to 1996)
- Is classified as a communications satellite, geostationary satellite, and derelict satellite
- Has a COSPAR ID of 1983-058A
- Was followed by Eutelsat I F-2
- Has 3 Wikipedia sitelinks in languages: English, Portuguese, and Swedish

## FAQs
### Q: What was Eutelsat I F-1 used for?
A: Eutelsat I F-1 was a communications satellite designed for telecommunications purposes. It operated in geostationary orbit, providing satellite communication services for Europe.

### Q: How long did Eutelsat I F-1 remain operational?
A: Eutelsat I F-1 remained operational for 13 years, from its launch on June 16, 1983, until its decommissioning in 1996, exceeding its original design life of 7 years.

### Q: What happened to Eutelsat I F-1 after it was decommissioned?
A: After being decommissioned in 1996, Eutelsat I F-1 became a derelict satellite, remaining in its orbit in space without functioning.

### Q: Who manufactured Eutelsat I F-1?
A: Eutelsat I F-1 was manufactured by British Aerospace using the ECS-Bus spacecraft bus design.

### Q: What was the relationship between Eutelsat I F-1 and Eutelsat I F-2?
A: Eutelsat I F-2 was a subsequent satellite in the same series, following Eutelsat I F-1 in operational sequence.

## Why It Matters
Eutelsat I F-1 represents an important milestone in European telecommunications infrastructure development. As one of the early satellites operated by Eutelsat, it helped establish satellite communication capabilities that transformed broadcasting and data transmission across Europe. The satellite exceeded its designed 7-year service life by operating for 13 years, demonstrating the robustness of early satellite technology. Its launch on June 16, 1983, marked an expansion of commercial satellite services in Europe, contributing to the growth of what would become a global satellite communications industry. The satellite's legacy continues through its successors and the infrastructure it helped build.

## Notable For
- Being the first satellite in the Eutelsat I series, establishing the company's satellite communications network
- Exceeding its design life by 6 years (operating 13 years instead of 7)
- Being manufactured by British Aerospace using the ECS-Bus spacecraft bus
- Having multiple aliases including ECS 1, European Communications Satellite 1, and various name variations
- Remaining in geostationary orbit after decommissioning, becoming a derelict satellite

## Body
### Technical Specifications
- Mass: 1,158 kilograms
- Spacecraft bus: ECS-Bus
- Power source: 2 spacecraft solar arrays
- Orbit: Geostationary orbit
- COSPAR ID: 1983-058A
- SCN (Satellite Catalog Number): 14128

### Mission Timeline
- June 16, 1983: Launched from ELA-1 using an Ariane 1 rocket (L6)
- 1983-1996: Operational period (13 years)
- 1996: Decommissioned, becoming a derelict satellite in orbit

### Operator and Ownership
- Operator: Eutelsat
- Manufacturer: British Aerospace
- Launch contractor: Arianespace
- Part of the Eutelsat I series (followed by Eutelsat I F-2)

### Classification
- Instance of: Communications satellite, Geostationary satellite, Derelict satellite
- Satellite of: Geostationary orbit
- Significant events: Rocket launch (1983-06-16), Spacecraft decommissioning (1996)

### Identifiers
- Wikipedia title: Eutelsat I F-1
- Freebase ID: /m/010vvrnn
- SCN: 14128

### Language Coverage
The entity has Wikipedia coverage in 3 languages: English (en), Portuguese (pt), and Swedish (sv).

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Eutelsat I F-1",
  "description": "A decommissioned European communications satellite launched in 1983 and operated by Eutelsat",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutelsat_I_F-1",
  "sameAs": [
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  "additionalType": [
    "Communications satellite",
    "Geostationary satellite",
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}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ecs-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/bae__ecs.htm)