# Eutelsat I F-5

> decommissioned European communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16061292](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16061292)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutelsat_I_F-5)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eutelsat-i-f-5

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Eutelsat I F-5**:

---

## Summary  
Eutelsat I F-5 was a decommissioned European communications satellite launched in 1988. It operated in geostationary orbit for 12 years, providing telecommunications services before being retired in 2000. The satellite was part of the ECS (European Communications Satellite) series and was manufactured by British Aerospace.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date**: July 21, 1988, at 23:12 UTC from ELA-1 (Guiana Space Centre).  
- **Launch vehicle**: Ariane 3 (Flight V24).  
- **Mass**: 1,158 kilograms.  
- **Operator**: Eutelsat.  
- **Orbit**: Geostationary.  
- **Design life**: 7 years (actual service life: 12 years).  
- **Manufacturer**: British Aerospace (based on the ECS-Bus platform).  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1988-063B.  
- **Decommissioned**: 2000.  
- **Preceded by**: Eutelsat I F-4.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Eutelsat I F-5?  
A: It was a communications satellite designed for telecommunications services, part of the European Communications Satellite (ECS) program.  

### Q: How long did Eutelsat I F-5 remain operational?  
A: It exceeded its 7-year design life, operating for 12 years before being decommissioned in 2000.  

### Q: What rocket launched Eutelsat I F-5?  
A: It was launched aboard an Ariane 3 rocket (Flight V24) from the Guiana Space Centre.  

## Why It Matters  
Eutelsat I F-5 was a key satellite in Europe's early telecommunications infrastructure, providing reliable communication services during its operational life. Its extended service beyond the design life demonstrated the durability of British Aerospace's ECS-Bus platform. As part of the Eutelsat network, it contributed to the expansion of satellite-based communications in Europe, paving the way for modern geostationary satellite systems. Its decommissioning in 2000 marked the end of an era for early European satellite technology.  

## Notable For  
- **Extended service life**: Operated for 12 years, far beyond its 7-year design life.  
- **Part of the ECS series**: A foundational program for European satellite communications.  
- **Geostationary orbit**: Provided consistent coverage for telecommunications.  
- **Manufactured by British Aerospace**: Built on the proven ECS-Bus platform.  

## Body  
### Launch and Deployment  
- Launched on July 21, 1988, aboard Ariane 3 (Flight V24).  
- Shared launch with INSAT-1C.  
- Deployed into geostationary orbit.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass**: 1,158 kg.  
- **Power source**: Solar array with 2 panels.  
- **Spacecraft bus**: ECS-Bus.  
- **Operator**: Eutelsat.  

### Operational History  
- Active from 1988 to 2000.  
- Provided telecommunications services across Europe.  
- Decommissioned after 12 years of service.  

### Legacy  
- Preceded by Eutelsat I F-4.  
- Contributed to the growth of the Eutelsat satellite fleet.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Eutelsat I F-5",
  "description": "Decommissioned European communications satellite launched in 1988.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutelsat_I_F-5"
  ],
  "additionalType": [
    "Communications Satellite",
    "Geostationary Satellite",
    "Derelict Satellite"
  ]
}

## 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)