# Intelsat 15

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q195783](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q195783)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelsat_15)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intelsat-15

## Summary  
Intelsat 15 is a United States‑operated communications satellite built by Orbital Sciences Corporation. Launched on 30 November 2009 aboard a Zenit‑3SLB rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome, it was placed in geostationary orbit to provide satellite‑television services for a planned 15‑year lifespan.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 30 November 2009 (Zenit‑3SLB, Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45).  
- **Operator:** Intelsat (U.S. communications satellite company).  
- **Manufacturer:** Orbital Sciences Corporation.  
- **Mass at launch:** 2 550 kg.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2009‑067A.  
- **Spacecraft number (SCN):** 36106 (Wolfram Language entity code).  
- **Intended service life:** 15 years (estimated, expected).  
- **Primary mission goal:** Satellite television broadcasting.  
- **Orbit type:** Geostationary orbit (satellite of geostationary orbit).  
- **Aliases:** IS‑15, Intelsat 15.

## FAQs  

### Q: When was Intelsat 15 launched?  
**A:** Intelsat 15 was launched on 30 November 2009.

### Q: What is the primary purpose of Intelsat 15?  
**A:** Its main goal is to deliver satellite‑television services from geostationary orbit.

### Q: Who operates and built Intelsat 15?  
**A:** The satellite is operated by Intelsat and was manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation.

### Q: How long is Intelsat 15 expected to operate?  
**A:** It has an estimated service life of 15 years.

### Q: What launch vehicle placed Intelsat 15 into orbit?  
**A:** A Zenit‑3SLB rocket launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 45.

## Why It Matters  
Intelsat 15 expands the global capacity for satellite‑based television distribution, a critical component of modern media consumption, especially in regions lacking robust terrestrial infrastructure. By occupying a geostationary slot, it provides continuous, reliable coverage to a broad footprint, enabling broadcasters to reach audiences across continents without interruption. Its deployment on a Zenit‑3SLB illustrates international collaboration in space launch services, leveraging Ukrainian‑origin rockets for U.S. communications assets. The satellite’s 15‑year design life ensures a long‑term return on investment, supporting Intelsat’s strategy to maintain a resilient, high‑throughput network that underpins both commercial and emergency communications. As part of the broader Intelsat fleet, Intelsat 15 contributes to the redundancy and flexibility essential for global connectivity, reinforcing the role of space‑based platforms in the worldwide information ecosystem.

## Notable For  
- **First use of a Zenit‑3SLB launch vehicle for an Intelsat satellite** from Baikonur Cosmodrome.  
- **High launch mass** of 2 550 kg, reflecting a robust payload for television broadcasting.  
- **Designed for a 15‑year operational lifespan**, exceeding many earlier communications satellites.  
- **Operated by a major U.S. satellite operator (Intelsat)**, highlighting cross‑national manufacturing and launch partnerships.  
- **Assigned unique identifiers** such as COSPAR 2009‑067A and SCN 36106, facilitating precise tracking in space‑object catalogs.

## Body  

### Overview  
Intelsat 15 is classified as a communications satellite whose primary function is to deliver satellite‑television services. It belongs to the class of artificial satellites designed for telecommunications.

### Launch Details  
- **Date & Time:** 30 November 2009.  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Zenit‑3SLB, a Ukrainian‑origin expendable carrier rocket.  
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 45, Kazakhstan.  
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch recorded as a notable event on the launch date.

### Technical Specifications  
- **Manufacturer:** Orbital Sciences Corporation (U.S.).  
- **Launch Mass:** 2 550 kg.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2009‑067A.  
- **Spacecraft Number (SCN):** 36106 (Wolfram Language entity code).  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/080mw9z.  
- **Service Life:** Expected 15 years (estimation).  

### Mission Profile  
- **Operator:** Intelsat, a leading global satellite services provider.  
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit, allowing the satellite to remain fixed relative to a point on Earth.  
- **Goal:** Provide satellite‑television broadcasting, supporting both commercial broadcasters and potentially emergency communication services.  

### Operational Context  
Intelsat 15 is part of Intelsat’s extensive fleet, contributing to the company’s capacity to deliver reliable, high‑throughput communications across the globe. Its placement in geostationary orbit ensures continuous coverage of its service region, a critical attribute for television distribution that requires uninterrupted signal delivery.

### Legacy and Impact  
The satellite’s deployment demonstrates the viability of using Zenit‑3SLB rockets for high‑value commercial payloads, reinforcing the collaborative nature of modern space operations. Its long‑term service expectancy aligns with industry trends toward extended mission durations, maximizing return on investment and supporting sustained connectivity for end‑users worldwide.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013