# Intelsat 5

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1665700](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1665700)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelsat_5)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intelsat-5

## Summary
Intelsat 5 is a communications satellite launched on August 28, 1997, to provide telecommunications services from geostationary orbit. Operated by Intelsat, it was deployed via a Proton-K rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome and played a role in global satellite communications under multiple designations, including Arabsat 2C and PanAmSat-5. It remained operational until its decommissioning in 2017.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 28, 1997
- **Operator**: Intelsat (previously operated by PanAmSat and Arabsat)
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-K rocket with Blok DM-2M upper stage
- **COSPAR ID**: 1997-046A
- **Aliases**: PanAmSat-5, PAS-5, Arabsat 2C, Badr-C
- **Orbit**: Geostationary
- **Mission End**: Deorbited in 2017 after 20 years of service
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23

## FAQs
### Q: When was Intelsat 5 launched?
A: Intelsat 5 was launched on August 28, 1997, aboard a Proton-K rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

### Q: What was the purpose of Intelsat 5?
A: Intelsat 5 provided telecommunications services, including television broadcasting, telephony, and data transmission, from geostationary orbit.

### Q: Why does Intelsat 5 have multiple names?
A: The satellite was renamed multiple times due to changes in ownership and operational roles, reflecting its use by different companies such as PanAmSat and Arabsat.

## Why It Matters
Intelsat 5 represents a key component of global satellite infrastructure in the late 1990s and 2000s, supporting telecommunications across continents. Its long operational lifespan (1997–2017) underscores its reliability and adaptability, serving under various operators and designations. As part of the broader Intelsat fleet, it contributed to the expansion of global communication networks, enabling services such as broadcasting, mobile communications, and internet connectivity. Its use of the Proton-K rocket also highlights the role of Russian launch systems in deploying commercial satellites during this period. The satellite’s ability to transition between operators (e.g., Arabsat and PanAmSat) demonstrates the dynamic nature of the satellite communications industry, where assets are often repurposed to meet evolving market demands.

## Notable For
- **Long Operational Life**: Functioned for 20 years, far exceeding the typical 15-year design lifespan of many communication satellites.
- **Multi-Operator Use**: Served under several entities, including Arabsat (as Arabsat 2C/Badr-C) and PanAmSat (as PAS-5), reflecting its versatility and value.
- **Proton-K Launch**: Deployed via a Russian Proton-K rocket, a workhorse launch vehicle for commercial and government satellites during the 1990s–2000s.
- **Geostationary Role**: Provided continuous coverage from a fixed orbital position, critical for broadcasting and telecommunications services.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
Intelsat 5 was launched on August 28, 1997, at 00:20 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/23 in Kazakhstan. The Proton-K rocket, equipped with a Blok DM-2M upper stage, delivered the satellite to geostationary transfer orbit. From there, it used its onboard propulsion to reach its final geostationary position.

### Design and Operations
- **Satellite Bus**: Built on the SS-1300 bus, a reliable platform for communication satellites.
- **Payload**: Carried transponders for C-band and Ku-band communications, supporting a range of services.
- **Orbit**: Operated at 26° East longitude during its Arabsat 2C phase, later relocating to other slots under different operators.

### Mission Legacy
Intelsat 5 was initially designated Arabsat 2C (Badr-C) under the Arab Satellite Communications Organization (Arabsat) but was later transferred to PanAmSat and renamed PAS-5. It was eventually integrated into the Intelsat fleet after PanAmSat’s acquisition by Intelsat in 2006. The satellite was decommissioned in 2017 and moved to a graveyard orbit to comply with space debris mitigation guidelines. Its extended service life and adaptability across multiple operators made it a notable example of satellite asset longevity and repurposing in the telecommunications industry.

## References

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