# Intelsat 26

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q14559257](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14559257)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JCSAT-4)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intelsat-26

## Summary
Intelsat 26 is a communications satellite launched on February 17, 1997, designed to facilitate telecommunications from a geostationary orbit. It was deployed into space using an Atlas II launch vehicle departing from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36. The satellite is formally identified by the COSPAR ID 1997-007A and the SATCOM number 24732.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Intelsat 26 is an instance of a communications satellite, defined as an artificial satellite designed for telecommunications.
*   **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on February 17, 1997.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** It was delivered to orbit by an Atlas II rocket, an American expendable launch system.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36.
*   **Orbit:** The satellite operates from a geostationary orbit.
*   **Identifiers:** It holds the COSPAR ID 1997-007A and the Satcom Number (SCN) 24732.
*   **Nomenclature:** The entity is associated with the Wikipedia title "JCSAT-4" and has a Google Knowledge Graph ID of `/g/12pgcy80n`.
*   **Significant Event:** Its deployment is categorized as a rocket launch event occurring at Cape Canaveral on February 17, 1997.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Intelsat 26 launched?
A: Intelsat 26 was launched on February 17, 1997. The launch took place at Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Intelsat 26?
A: The satellite was launched aboard an Atlas II vehicle. This American expendable launch system was used to place the satellite into its intended trajectory.

### Q: What is the primary function of Intelsat 26?
A: Intelsat 26 functions as a communications satellite. It is an artificial satellite designed specifically for telecommunications purposes.

### Q: What is the orbital location of Intelsat 26?
A: The satellite is positioned in a geostationary orbit, which allows it to match the Earth's rotation and maintain a fixed position relative to the surface.

## Why It Matters
Intelsat 26 serves as a historical marker in the domain of global telecommunications infrastructure. Launched in the late 1990s, the satellite represents the era's reliance on geostationary platforms to maintain continuous connectivity for data and voice transmission. By utilizing the Atlas II expendable launch system—an industry workhorse of that period—the mission highlights the collaboration between satellite operators and American launch providers at Cape Canaveral.

The technical specifications of the satellite, including its precise tracking via COSPAR ID 1997-007A and SCN 24732, illustrate the rigorous standards required for managing space traffic and preventing orbital congestion. Furthermore, the entity's association with the designation "JCSAT-4" in Wikipedia records reflects the complex naming histories and ownership structures common in the commercial space industry, where satellites may be renamed or transferred between fleets (such as the JSAT Corporation and Intelsat) over their operational lifespans. This entry provides essential data for historians and analysts tracking the utilization of the geostationary belt and the launch logs of Cape Canaveral.

## Notable For
*   **Launch System:** Utilized the Atlas II, a prominent American expendable launch system.
*   **Orbital Placement:** Positioned in geostationary orbit to ensure stable telecommunications coverage.
*   **Historical Data:** Serves as a specific point of reference for the year 1997 in space launch chronologies.
*   **Naming Complexity:** The entity is distinctively linked to the title "JCSAT-4" in knowledge bases, indicating a dual-identity or historical rebranding often found in commercial satellite operations.

## Body

### Technical Specifications and Identity
Intelsat 26 is classified structurally and functionally as a **communications satellite**. This classification entails an artificial satellite stationed in space to relay and amplify radio telecommunication signals via a transponder. The satellite creates a communication channel between a source transmitter and a receiver at remote locations on Earth.

Specific identifiers assigned to this object include:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1997-007A (The "A" designates the primary payload of the launch).
*   **Satcom Number (SCN):** 24732 (A unique identifier in the satellite catalog).

### Launch and Deployment
The deployment of Intelsat 26 was executed on **February 17, 1997**. The mission utilized the **Atlas II** launch vehicle, which is characterized as an American expendable launch system. This system was part of the Atlas family of rockets, widely used for both commercial and military payloads.

The launch originated from **Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36** (specifically designated as the start point in mission data). This location is a historic site for Atlas launches. The specific timing and location were recorded as part of a "rocket launch" significant event, pinpointing the object's entry into the space environment.

### Orbital Operations
Upon separation from the launch vehicle, Intelsat 26 was maneuvered into a **geostationary orbit**. This type of orbit allows the satellite to remain fixed over one longitude on the equator, providing a constant line-of-sight to ground stations. This orbit is standard for communications satellites to ensure uninterrupted service coverage. The satellite remains a listed object in international space catalogs, cross-referenced in German, English, Japanese, and Portuguese language databases.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report