# SGDC-1

> Brazilian geostationary communication satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q25449060](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25449060)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geostationary_Satellite_for_Defense_and_Strategic_Communications)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sgdc-1

## Summary
SGDC-1 is a Brazilian geostationary communications satellite launched in 2017 to provide broadband internet and strategic communications services across Brazil. It was built by Thales Alenia Space and launched aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from French Guiana. The satellite operates in geostationary orbit with a design life of 18 years.

## Key Facts
- Launched on May 4, 2017, aboard Ariane 5 ECA rocket VA236 from ELA-3 launch site
- Built by Thales Alenia Space using the Spacebus-4000C4 platform
- Weighs 5,735 kg at launch (3,680 kg dry weight)
- Cost approximately 2.78 billion Brazilian reais (2013)
- Operated by Telebras with funding from Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos
- Positioned in geostationary orbit at 35,795.9 km apoapsis and 35,777.1 km periapsis
- Equipped with two solar arrays providing 11 kW of power
- Carries S400 payload and is powered by spacecraft solar array
- Part of the SGDC satellite series for Brazilian communications
- Has a 18-year design life and serves both civilian and military communications needs

## FAQs
### Q: What is SGDC-1's primary purpose?
A: SGDC-1 provides broadband internet access and strategic communications services across Brazil, serving both civilian and military users. It was designed to expand internet coverage to remote areas of the country.

### Q: Who operates SGDC-1?
A: SGDC-1 is operated by Telebras, the Brazilian telecommunications company, with funding support from Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos. The satellite was manufactured by Thales Alenia Space.

### Q: How long is SGDC-1 expected to function?
A: SGDC-1 has a design life of 18 years, meaning it was engineered to provide reliable communications services for nearly two decades from its 2017 launch.

## Why It Matters
SGDC-1 represents a significant milestone in Brazil's space and telecommunications capabilities, marking the country's first geostationary communications satellite. By providing broadband internet access to remote and underserved regions of Brazil, it helps bridge the digital divide and supports economic development across the vast nation. The satellite serves dual purposes, supporting both civilian broadband expansion and strategic military communications, making it a critical piece of national infrastructure. Its deployment demonstrates Brazil's growing technological independence and investment in space-based communications, reducing reliance on foreign satellite services for essential communications infrastructure.

## Notable For
- First Brazilian geostationary communications satellite
- Dual-use capability for both civilian broadband and military communications
- One of the largest and most expensive Brazilian space projects at 2.78 billion reais
- Extended 18-year design life for long-term service provision
- Built by European manufacturer Thales Alenia Space but operated by Brazilian company Telebras

## Body
### Technical Specifications
SGDC-1 was constructed using the Spacebus-4000C4 platform by Thales Alenia Space, a leading European satellite manufacturer. The satellite has a launch mass of 5,735 kilograms and a dry mass of 3,680 kilograms. It is equipped with two solar arrays that generate 11 kilowatts of power, supported by an S400 payload system.

### Launch and Orbital Parameters
The satellite launched on May 4, 2017, aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket (mission VA236) from the ELA-3 launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. It operates in geostationary orbit with an apoapsis of 35,795.9 kilometers and a periapsis of 35,777.1 kilometers. The orbital period is 1,436.1 minutes with an inclination of 0.046 degrees and an eccentricity of 0.0002231.

### Power and Propulsion
SGDC-1's power system consists of two solar arrays providing 11 kW of electrical power. The satellite uses an ESC-A H14.4 space tug with 589 seconds of burn time for orbital maneuvers. The power system is designed to support the satellite's 18-year operational lifetime.

### Mission and Applications
The satellite serves dual purposes: expanding broadband internet access across Brazil, particularly to remote and underserved areas, and providing strategic communications for military and government use. This dual-use capability makes SGDC-1 a critical piece of national infrastructure for both civilian and defense communications.

### Operational Details
Operated by Telebras, the Brazilian telecommunications company, SGDC-1 is part of the broader SGDC satellite program. The project received funding from Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos, a Brazilian development agency. The satellite's 18-year design life ensures long-term service provision for Brazil's communications needs.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/sgdc-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2017-023B)
4. [Source](https://heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=42692)
5. [Source](https://www.satbeams.com/satellites?norad=42692)
6. [Source](https://www.telebras.com.br/telebras-sat/conheca-o-sgdc/)