# PSN 5

> retired Indonesian (formerly Chinese) geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q14559260](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14559260)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/psn-5

## Summary
PSN 5 (formerly known as Sinosat 1) is a retired geostationary communications satellite that was manufactured by Aérospatiale and originally operated by Chinese entities before being transferred to Indonesia. Launched on July 18, 1998, aboard a Long March 3B rocket, the satellite served for over two decades—initially for China and later for PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara—before being decommissioned in 2019. It is currently classified as a derelict satellite.

## Key Facts
- **Primary Entity Type**: Geostationary communications satellite (retired/derelict).
- **Launch Date**: July 18, 1998, at 09:20 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Long March 3B (Flight Y4).
- **Launch Site**: Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
- **Manufacturer**: Aérospatiale.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Spacebus-3000A.
- **Mass**: 2,840 kg (launch weight); 1,600 kg (dry weight).
- **Design Life**: 15 years.
- **Operator History**: Sino Satellite Communications (1998–2010), China Satellite Communications (2010–2012), and PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (2012–2019).
- **Country of Service**: People's Republic of China (1998–2012); Indonesia (2012–2019).
- **Alternate Names**: Sinosat 1, Xinnuo 1, Intelsat APR1, ZX 5B, Zhongxing 5B, ChinaSat 5B, PSN V.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the original purpose of PSN 5?
A: Originally launched as Sinosat 1, the satellite was designed to provide telecommunications services for the People's Republic of China. It was operated by Sino Satellite Communications until 2010 and later by China Satellite Communications until 2012.

### Q: When did PSN 5 become an Indonesian satellite?
A: The satellite was transferred to Indonesian ownership in 2012. It was operated by PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara under the name PSN 5 (or PSN V) until it was retired in 2019.

### Q: What is the current status of the satellite?
A: As of its retirement in 2019, PSN 5 is classified as a derelict satellite. It remains in geostationary orbit but is nonfunctional and abandoned.

## Why It Matters
PSN 5 represents a significant case study in the lifecycle of geostationary satellites, illustrating the transfer of orbital assets between nations. Built by Aérospatiale on the robust Spacebus-3000A platform, the satellite exceeded its 15-year design life, operating for 21 years from launch in 1998 to retirement in 2019. Its history highlights the cooperation between Chinese and Indonesian telecommunications sectors, showcasing how aging satellite infrastructure can be repurposed to serve different markets before eventually becoming space debris. Its launch also marked a specific milestone in the Long March 3B program (flight Y4), contributing to the expansion of China's orbital launch capabilities.

## Notable For
- **International Transfer**: Transitioned from being a Chinese national satellite (Sinosat 1) to an Indonesian commercial satellite (PSN 5).
- **Extended Service Life**: Operated for 21 years, exceeding its 15-year design criterion by six years.
- **Multiple Identities**: Known by at least seven different names (including Intelsat APR1 and ChinaSat 5B) throughout its operational history.
- **Specific Launch Configuration**: Launched on the Long March 3B Y4 vehicle.

## Body

### Development and Specifications
PSN 5 was constructed by the French manufacturer Aérospatiale using the Spacebus-3000A satellite bus. It had a launch mass of 2,840 kg and a dry mass of 1,600 kg. The spacecraft was equipped with two solar arrays for power generation and an S400 propulsion system. It was assigned the COSPAR ID 1998-044A and the SATCAT number (SCN) 25404.

### Launch and Early Operations
The satellite was successfully launched on July 18, 1998, at 09:20 UTC from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. It was delivered to orbit by a Long March 3B rocket (serial Y4). At the time of launch, the satellite was known as Sinosat 1 (or Xinnuo 1) and was owned by the People's Republic of China.

### Operational History
The satellite's operational life was divided into two distinct phases based on ownership:
*   **Chinese Operations (1998–2012)**: Initially operated by Sino Satellite Communications Co., Ltd. and later by China Satellite Communications Co., Ltd.
*   **Indonesian Operations (2012–2019)**: In 2012, the satellite was acquired by the Indonesian operator PT Pasifik Satelit Nusantara and renamed PSN 5 (also referred to as PSN V). It provided communications services for the region until the end of its service life in 2019.

### Current Status
Following its retirement in 2019, the satellite was decommissioned. It is currently categorized as a derelict satellite, remaining in a geostationary orbit but no longer functional.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "PSN 5",
  "description": "A retired Indonesian geostationary communications satellite, formerly known as Sinosat 1, launched in 1998 and decommissioned in 2019.",
  "identifier": [
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "COSPAR ID",
      "value": "1998-044A"
    },
    {
      "@type": "PropertyValue",
      "name": "SATCAT",
      "value": "25404"
    }
  ],
  "additionalType": "Communications Satellite"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sinosat-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=25404)