# Galaxy 17

> Intelsat geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q5518104](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5518104)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_17)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/galaxy-17

## Summary
Galaxy 17 is an Intelsat geostationary communications satellite launched on May 4, 2007. It was manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space and designed with a 15-year service life to provide telecommunications services.

## Key Facts
- Galaxy 17 was launched on May 4, 2007 at 22:29 UTC from ELA-3 aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket
- It has a launch mass of 4100 kg and a dry weight of 1749 kg
- The satellite was manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space and uses a Spacebus-3000B3 spacecraft bus
- It is powered by spacecraft solar arrays providing 9500W total power and an S400 engine
- Galaxy 17 has a COSPAR ID of 2007-016B and a design service life of 15 years
- The satellite operates in geostationary orbit and is operated by Intelsat
- It uses an ESC-A H14.4 space tug (engine number 536) for orbital maneuvers

## FAQs
### Q: What is Galaxy 17?
A: Galaxy 17 is an Intelsat geostationary communications satellite launched in 2007 to provide telecommunications services including television broadcasting and broadband internet across North America.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Galaxy 17?
A: Galaxy 17 was launched aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Centre on May 4, 2007.

### Q: How powerful is Galaxy 17?
A: Galaxy 17 is equipped with spacecraft solar arrays providing 9500W of total power and uses an S400 engine as part of its propulsion system.

### Q: Who manufactured Galaxy 17?
A: Galaxy 17 was manufactured by Alcatel Alenia Space, a French aerospace company, using the Spacebus-3000B3 spacecraft bus platform.

## Why It Matters
Galaxy 17 represents a critical component of global telecommunications infrastructure, enabling satellite television, broadband internet, and other communication services across North America. As a geostationary satellite, it remains in a fixed position relative to Earth's surface, providing continuous coverage to ground stations and receiving equipment. The satellite's 15-year design life ensures sustained service for years, making it a valuable asset in maintaining reliable communication networks. By complementing terrestrial infrastructure, Galaxy 17 helps bridge connectivity gaps in regions where traditional networks may be limited or unreliable, supporting everything from broadcasting to emergency communications.

## Notable For
- Having substantial power capacity with 9500W from solar arrays, making it capable of handling multiple communication transponders
- Utilizing an ESC-A H14.4 space tug (engine number 536) for precise orbital positioning throughout its operational life
- Being part of the Spacebus-3000B3 spacecraft bus platform, known for its reliability and versatility in telecommunications
- Launching alongside the Astra 1L satellite on the same Ariane 5 mission, demonstrating efficient launch capacity utilization
- Having a significant mass (4100 kg launch weight) that supports a robust communications payload and extended operational capability

## Body

### Overview
Galaxy 17 is a communications satellite operated by Intelsat, designed to provide telecommunications services from geostationary orbit. It was constructed by Alcatel Alenia Space using the Spacebus-3000B3 spacecraft bus platform.

### Technical Specifications
- **Launch Mass**: 4100 kg (launch weight criterion)
- **Dry Weight**: 1749 kg
- **Power Systems**: Spacecraft solar arrays providing 9500W total power and one S400 engine
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Spacebus-3000B3
- **Propulsion**: ESC-A H14.4 space tug (engine number 536)

### Mission Parameters
- **Launch Date**: May 4, 2007 at 22:29 UTC
- **Launch Site**: ELA-3, Guiana Space Centre
- **Launch Vehicle**: Ariane 5 ECA (flight number V176)
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit
- **Service Life**: 15 years (design life)
- **Country of Origin**: France
- **Operator**: Intelsat (United States)

### Identifiers
- **COSPAR ID**: 2007-016B
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2007-016B
- **Freebase ID**: /m/02q_s1f
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 31307

### International Presence
The satellite's information is available in multiple languages including German (de), English (en), Polish (pl), and Portuguese (pt), reflecting its global importance in the telecommunications industry.

### Related Entities
Galaxy 17 belongs to the class of communications satellites and geostationary satellites, and was launched using the Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle class.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/galaxy-17.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](http://www.tbs-satellite.com/tse/online/sat_galaxy_17.html)