# Galaxy 27

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q5518103](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5518103)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_27)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/galaxy-27

## Summary
Galaxy 27 is a communications satellite designed for telecommunications, originally launched as Telstar 7 on September 25, 1999. It operated in a geostationary orbit, providing services under various names including Intelsat Americas 7, before being retired in 2016.

## Key Facts
*   Galaxy 27 was launched on September 25, 1999, at 06:29 UTC.
*   It is a communications satellite operating in geostationary orbit.
*   The satellite was manufactured by Lanteris Space Systems and built on a Lanteris 1300 spacecraft bus.
*   It had a launch mass of 3790 kilograms.
*   Originally known as Telstar 7, it was later renamed Intelsat Americas 7 (IA 7) in July 2003 and then Galaxy 27 (G-27, G27) in February 2007.
*   The primary operator of the satellite was Intelsat.
*   It was launched aboard an Ariane 44LP rocket from the ELA-2 launch site.
*   Galaxy 27 was powered by two spacecraft solar arrays and R-4D thrusters.
*   Its service was retired in 2016.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Galaxy 27?
A: Galaxy 27 is a communications satellite that was launched in 1999. It operated in geostationary orbit to provide telecommunications services.

### Q: When was Galaxy 27 launched?
A: Galaxy 27 was launched on September 25, 1999, at 06:29 UTC.

### Q: Who operated Galaxy 27?
A: The satellite was operated by Intelsat, though it underwent several name changes during its operational life.

### Q: What were Galaxy 27's previous names?
A: Galaxy 27 was originally launched as Telstar 7. It was later known as Intelsat Americas 7 before being renamed Galaxy 27 in 2007.

### Q: When was Galaxy 27 retired from service?
A: Galaxy 27 was retired from service in 2016.

## Why It Matters
Galaxy 27 played a significant role in global telecommunications for over a decade and a half. As a geostationary communications satellite, it provided crucial infrastructure for broadcasting, internet, and other telecommunication services by maintaining a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface. Its operational history, marked by multiple name changes and transfers of ownership (from Telstar 7 to Intelsat Americas 7, and finally Galaxy 27), reflects the dynamic and evolving landscape of the satellite communications industry. The satellite's long service life, from its launch in 1999 until its retirement in 2016, underscores its reliability and the sustained demand for its capabilities in connecting people and businesses across vast distances. Its journey from initial launch to eventual retirement highlights the lifecycle of complex space assets and their continuous contribution to modern connectivity.

## Notable For
*   **Multiple Identity Changes**: Operated under three distinct names during its service life: Telstar 7, Intelsat Americas 7, and Galaxy 27.
*   **Long Operational Lifespan**: Provided telecommunications services for 17 years, from its launch in 1999 until its retirement in 2016.
*   **Operator Transfer**: Transferred to Intelsat in July 2003, leading to its renaming as Intelsat Americas 7.
*   **Geostationary Orbit**: Maintained a geostationary orbit, a critical characteristic for continuous telecommunications coverage.

## Body

### Overview
Galaxy 27 is a communications satellite, classified as an artificial satellite designed for telecommunications and a geostationary satellite. It is also known by its aliases: Intelsat Americas 7, IA 7, Telstar 7, G-27, and G27. Its Wikidata description identifies it as a communications satellite.

### Launch and Operations
Galaxy 27 was launched on September 25, 1999, at 06:29 UTC. The launch took place from the ELA-2 site using an Ariane 44LP rocket, specifically flight V121 / L489d.
Initially, the satellite was known as Telstar 7. A significant event in its operational history was the transfer to Intelsat in July 2003, at which point it was renamed Intelsat Americas 7. On February 1, 2007, it underwent another name change, becoming Galaxy 27. The satellite's service was officially retired in 2016.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite had a launch mass of 3790 kilograms. It was manufactured by Lanteris Space Systems and utilized a Lanteris 1300 spacecraft bus. Galaxy 27 was powered by two spacecraft solar arrays and R-4D thrusters. It operated in a geostationary orbit.

### Identifiers
*   **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number)**: 25922
*   **COSPAR ID**: 1999-052A
*   **NSSDCA ID**: 1999-052A
*   **Freebase ID**: /m/02pshjt
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code**: Entity["Satellite", "25922"]

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/telstar-5.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report