# SATMEX 5

> decommissioned communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q6122031](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6122031)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/satmex-5

## Summary
SATMEX 5 is a decommissioned communications satellite that was launched on December 6, 1998, using an Ariane 42L rocket from ELA-2. It operated in geostationary orbit to provide telecommunications services before being taken out of service.

## Key Facts
- SATMEX 5 is a communications satellite and geostationary satellite that has been decommissioned
- It was launched on December 6, 1998, from ELA-2 using an Ariane 42L rocket
- The satellite has a catalog number (SCN) of 25558 and a COSPAR ID of 1998-070A
- It is also known by the alternate names Eutelsat 115 West A, SAT MEX 5, and Satmex 5
- SATMEX 5 has Wikipedia articles available in German (de), Spanish (es), and Portuguese (pt)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of SATMEX 5?
A: SATMEX 5 was a communications satellite designed to provide telecommunications services. It operated in geostationary orbit, which allowed it to maintain a fixed position relative to Earth's surface for consistent communication coverage.

### Q: When and how was SATMEX 5 launched?
A: SATMEX 5 was launched on December 6, 1998, from ELA-2 using an Ariane 42L rocket. This launch successfully deployed the satellite into its intended geostationary orbit for telecommunications operations.

### Q: What other names was SATMEX 5 known by during its operation?
A: Throughout its operational lifetime, SATMEX 5 was also known by the names Eutelsat 115 West A and SAT MEX 5. These alternate names were used in different contexts or by different organizations.

## Why It Matters
SATMEX 5 played an important role in telecommunications infrastructure during its operational lifetime. As a geostationary communications satellite, it provided essential connectivity for long-distance communication, television broadcasting, and data transmission across various regions. The satellite's position in geostationary orbit allowed for consistent coverage of fixed areas on Earth, enabling reliable communication services where ground-based infrastructure might have been limited or impractical. While it has since been decommissioned, SATMEX 5 contributed to expanding telecommunications access during the late 1990s and early 2000s, supporting everything from emergency communications to commercial broadcasting operations.

## Notable For
- Being a geostationary communications satellite that enabled consistent regional telecommunications coverage
- Launch using the Ariane 42L rocket configuration from the European Ariane 4 rocket family
- Having a unique catalog identifier (SCN 25558) in satellite tracking systems
- Maintaining a digital presence across multiple language Wikipedia editions
- Serving as a critical telecommunications node before its eventual decommissioning

## Body
### Satellite Classification and Identification
SATMEX 5 is classified as both a communications satellite and a geostationary satellite. It has been decommissioned, indicating it is no longer operational. The satellite has a catalog number (SCN) of 25558 and a COSPAR ID of 1998-070A for tracking purposes in space.

### Launch and Deployment
SATMEX 5 was launched on December 6, 1998, from ELA-2 at the Guiana Space Centre. It was deployed using an Ariane 42L rocket, a specific configuration in the Ariane 4 rocket series. The launch positioned the satellite in geostationary orbit approximately 35,786 kilometers above Earth's equator.

### Technical Operations
As a geostationary communications satellite, SATMEX 5 provided telecommunications services from its fixed orbital position. This orbit allows the satellite to maintain consistent coverage of specific regions on Earth, making it ideal for applications like television broadcasting and long-distance communication.

### Digital Documentation
The satellite has documentation in three languages on Wikipedia (German, Spanish, and Portuguese), reflecting its international recognition. It also appears in specialized databases like the Google Knowledge Graph and Wolfram Language, with identifiers /g/1q6khdp7g and Entity["Satellite", "25558"] respectively.

### Status
SATMEX 5 has been decommissioned, meaning it has completed its operational life and is no longer active. The exact date of decommissioning is not specified in the provided information.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report