# Intelsat 901

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1665707](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1665707)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelsat_901)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intelsat-901

## Summary  
Intelsat 901 is a communications satellite operated by Intelsat. It was launched on 9 June 2001 from the ELA‑2 launch site aboard an Ariane 44L rocket. The satellite is identified in the Space‑Track catalog as object 26824 and carries the COSPAR designation 2001‑024A.

## Key Facts  
- **Operator:** Intelsat 【source】  
- **Launch date:** 9 June 2001 【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Ariane 44L (Ariane 4 series) 【source】  
- **Launch site (start point):** ELA‑2, French Guiana 【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2001‑024A 【source】  
- **Space‑Track catalog number (SCN):** 26824 【source】  
- **Instance of:** communications satellite 【source】  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0j_67qm 【source】  
- **Wikipedia language editions:** English, German, French, Polish, Portuguese 【source】  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch at ELA‑2 on 9 June 2001 【source】

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Intelsat 901 launched?  
**A:** Intelsat 901 was launched on 9 June 2001.  

### Q: Which company operates Intelsat 901?  
**A:** The satellite is operated by the global satellite services provider Intelsat.  

### Q: What launch vehicle carried Intelsat 901 into orbit?  
**A:** It was launched aboard an Ariane 44L rocket, part of the Ariane 4 family.  

### Q: What is the COSPAR identifier for Intelsat 901?  
**A:** Its COSPAR ID is 2001‑024A.  

### Q: Where was Intelsat 901 launched from?  
**A:** The launch took place at the ELA‑2 launch complex in French Guiana.  

## Why It Matters  
Intelsat 901 is a key element of the Intelsat satellite constellation, a network that underpins global telecommunications, broadcasting, and data services. By providing reliable space‑based relay capabilities, the satellite enables voice, video, and internet connectivity across continents, supporting everything from international news broadcasts to corporate communications and maritime links. Its deployment in 2001 expanded Intelsat’s capacity at a time when demand for broadband and satellite TV was rapidly growing, helping to bridge gaps where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or absent. The successful launch aboard an Ariane 44L also demonstrated the continued viability of the Ariane 4 series for delivering high‑value payloads, reinforcing Europe’s role in the commercial launch market. As part of a broader fleet, Intelsat 901 contributes to redundancy and coverage, ensuring uninterrupted service for customers worldwide and illustrating the strategic importance of satellite assets in the modern information economy.

## Notable For  
- First Intelsat satellite launched on an Ariane 44L vehicle.  
- Carries the Space‑Track catalog number 26824, uniquely identifying it in orbital tracking databases.  
- Part of the 2001‑024A COSPAR series, marking its entry into the international satellite registry.  
- Operated by Intelsat, a leading global satellite communications provider.  
- Launched from the historic ELA‑2 site, a key launch complex for European missions.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Intelsat 901 is classified as a **communications satellite**. Its primary purpose is to relay telecommunications signals, supporting voice, data, and broadcast services across its coverage area.

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 9 June 2001.  
- **Vehicle:** Ariane 44L, a four‑engine variant of the Ariane 4 launch system.  
- **Site:** ELA‑2 launch complex, French Guiana.  
- **Significant event:** Recorded as a rocket launch at ELA‑2 on the launch date.  

### Operator and Mission  
- **Operator:** Intelsat, a multinational satellite services company.  
- The satellite contributes to Intelsat’s global network, enhancing capacity for international communications and broadband distribution.

### Technical Identification  
- **COSPAR ID:** 2001‑024A, used for international tracking and cataloguing.  
- **Space‑Track Catalog Number (SCN):** 26824, referenced in the United States Space‑Track database.  
- **Freebase ID:** /m/0j_67qm, linking to legacy structured data sources.  

### Classification and Context  
- Listed under the **instance of** “communications satellite” in Wikidata.  
- Related class: **communications satellite** (artificial satellite designed for telecommunications).  
- Related launch vehicle class: **Ariane 44L** (rocket in the Ariane 4 series).  

These details collectively define Intelsat 901’s role, origin, and technical identity within the broader satellite communications ecosystem.

## References

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