# Galaxy 23

> geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q5518101](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5518101)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_23)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/galaxy-23

## Summary
Galaxy 23 is a geostationary communications satellite launched in 2003, operated by Intelsat. Originally known as EchoStar IX, it provides telecommunications services from geostationary orbit and is part of a series of satellites designed for long-term operation.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 8, 2003, at 03:30:55 UTC.
- **Operator**: Intelsat (formerly EchoStar).
- **Mass**: 4,737 kg (launch weight), 2,500 kg (dry weight).
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit.
- **Design Life**: 15 years.
- **Manufacturer**: Lanteris Space Systems (using the Lanteris 1300 spacecraft bus).
- **Launch Vehicle**: Zenit-3SL rocket (SL10 variant) with a Blok-DM-SL upper stage.
- **Aliases**: EchoStar IX, EchoStar 9, Telstar 13, Intelsat Americas 13, Galaxy 13i, IA-13.
- **Power Source**: Two spacecraft solar arrays.
- **Predecessor**: EchoStar VIII (retired geostationary communications satellite).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Galaxy 23 used for?
A: Galaxy 23 is a communications satellite designed to provide telecommunications services, including television broadcasting and data transmission, from geostationary orbit.

### Q: When was Galaxy 23 launched?
A: It was launched on August 8, 2003, aboard a Zenit-3SL rocket from the Odyssey launch platform.

### Q: Who operates Galaxy 23?
A: The satellite is operated by Intelsat, a leading global satellite communications provider.

### Q: What was Galaxy 23 originally called?
A: It was originally named EchoStar IX (or EchoStar 9) before being rebranded as Galaxy 23.

### Q: How long was Galaxy 23 designed to operate?
A: The satellite has a design life of 15 years, though operational lifespans can vary based on fuel and system health.

## Why It Matters
Galaxy 23 plays a critical role in global telecommunications infrastructure, enabling reliable broadcast and data services across large geographic areas. As a geostationary satellite, it remains fixed relative to the Earth's surface, allowing continuous coverage for users in its footprint. Its long design life (15 years) ensures stable service over an extended period, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Operated by Intelsat, one of the world's largest satellite fleet operators, Galaxy 23 contributes to a network that supports everything from television broadcasting to emergency communications. The satellite's history—including its rebranding from EchoStar IX—also reflects the evolution of satellite ownership and consolidation in the industry.

## Notable For
- **Long Design Life**: Engineered for 15 years of operation, demonstrating durability in geostationary missions.
- **Multiple Identities**: Operated under several names (EchoStar IX, Telstar 13, Intelsat Americas 13), reflecting changes in ownership and branding.
- **High Mass**: Weighs 4,737 kg at launch, indicating a robust payload capacity for communications equipment.
- **Zenit-3SL Launch**: One of the satellites launched using the Zenit-3SL rocket, a notable carrier for commercial payloads.
- **Part of Intelsat Fleet**: Integrated into Intelsat's global network, enhancing telecommunications reliability.

## Body
### Overview
Galaxy 23 is a geostationary communications satellite launched on August 8, 2003. It was manufactured by Lanteris Space Systems using the Lanteris 1300 spacecraft bus and is operated by Intelsat. The satellite was originally commissioned as EchoStar IX but has since been rebranded multiple times, including as Telstar 13 and Intelsat Americas 13.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**:
  - Launch weight: 4,737 kg.
  - Dry weight: 2,500 kg.
- **Power Source**: Equipped with two solar arrays to generate electrical power.
- **Orbit**: Geostationary, maintaining a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Lanteris 1300, a platform designed for high-capacity communications satellites.
- **Design Life**: 15 years, a standard benchmark for geostationary satellites of its class.

### Launch Details
- **Launch Vehicle**: Zenit-3SL (serial number SL10), an expendable carrier rocket.
- **Upper Stage**: Blok-DM-SL (10L variant), used to place the satellite into geostationary orbit.
- **Launch Site**: Odyssey, a mobile sea-based launch platform.
- **Time of Launch**: 03:30:55 UTC on August 8, 2003.

### Operational History
- **Predecessor**: EchoStar VIII, a retired geostationary communications satellite.
- **Successor**: EchoStar X, which followed in the sequence of EchoStar satellites.
- **Operator Transition**: Originally part of EchoStar's fleet, it was later transferred to Intelsat, reflecting industry consolidation.

### Identifiers
- **COSPAR ID**: 2003-034A.
- **NSSDCA ID**: 2003-034A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 27854.
- **Wikidata Entity**: [Q...] (not provided in source material).

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Galaxy 23",
  "description": "Geostationary communications satellite launched in 2003, operated by Intelsat.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q...",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_23"
  ],
  "additionalType": "CommunicationsSatellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/echostar-9.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=27854)