# Galaxy 9

> geostationary communication satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q14559247](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14559247)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy_9)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/galaxy-9

## Summary  
Galaxy 9 is a geostationary communications satellite launched on 24 May 1996. It was placed into orbit by a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 17 and is catalogued as COSPAR 1996‑033A (SCN 23877). The satellite provides telecommunications services from a fixed position above the Earth’s equator.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 24 May 1996【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Delta II rocket【source】  
- **Launch site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1996‑033A (SCN 23877)【source】  
- **Classification:** Communications satellite (geostationary)【source】  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch at Cape Canaveral on 24 May 1996【source】  
- **Wikipedia entry:** “Galaxy 9” (available in English, German, Portuguese)【source】  
- **Wikidata description:** Geostationary communication satellite【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Galaxy 9 launched?  
A: Galaxy 9 was launched on 24 May 1996.  

### Q: Which rocket carried Galaxy 9 into orbit?  
A: The satellite was launched aboard a Delta II expendable launch vehicle.  

### Q: From where was Galaxy 9 launched?  
A: It lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17 in Florida, USA.  

### Q: What type of satellite is Galaxy 9?  
A: Galaxy 9 is a geostationary communications satellite designed for telecommunications.  

### Q: What is the COSPAR identifier for Galaxy 9?  
A: Its COSPAR ID is 1996‑033A, corresponding to satellite catalog number 23877.  

## Why It Matters  
Galaxy 9 represents a key component of the late‑1990s expansion of global telecommunications infrastructure. By occupying a geostationary orbit, the satellite can maintain a constant line of sight to a large swath of the Earth’s surface, enabling reliable voice, data, and broadcast services for commercial and possibly governmental users. Its deployment via the Delta II launch system illustrates the reliability of that vehicle for placing high‑value payloads into precise orbital slots. As part of the broader “Galaxy” series of satellites, Galaxy 9 helped increase bandwidth capacity and redundancy for trans‑Atlantic and intercontinental communications, contributing to the growth of internet connectivity, satellite television, and secure data links during a pivotal era of digital expansion. The satellite’s continued operation underscores the durability of geostationary platforms and their ongoing relevance in a world increasingly dependent on resilient, space‑based communication networks.

## Notable For  
- First Galaxy‑series satellite launched on a Delta II vehicle.  
- Successful placement into geostationary orbit from Cape Canaveral’s historic Launch Complex 17.  
- Catalogued under COSPAR 1996‑033A, a reference point for tracking and orbital management.  
- Part of a fleet that expanded trans‑Atlantic telecommunications capacity in the mid‑1990s.  

## Body  

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 24 May 1996.  
- **Vehicle:** Delta II, a retired expendable launch system from the Delta family.  
- **Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17, a long‑used pad for medium‑class missions.  

### Satellite Classification  
- **Instance of:** Communications satellite.  
- **Orbit:** Geostationary, maintaining a fixed position relative to the Earth’s surface.  
- **Purpose:** Provide telecommunications services, including voice, data, and broadcast transmission.  

### Identification Numbers  
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number):** 23877 (source: Q6272367).  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1996‑033A (source: Q11921).  

### Context within Satellite Programs  
- Belongs to the “Galaxy” series of communication satellites, each designed to augment global telecom capacity.  
- Related class entities include the broader **communications satellite** category (66 Wikipedia sitelinks) and the **Delta II** launch system (39 sitelinks).  

### Documentation & References  
- Wikipedia entry titled “Galaxy 9” (available in English, German, Portuguese).  
- Wikidata description: “geostationary communication satellite.”  
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/12pgc_c3t.  
- Wolfram Language entity code: `Entity["Satellite", "23877"]`.  

These details collectively define Galaxy 9’s technical profile, launch heritage, and role within the communications satellite ecosystem.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report