# Syracuse 4A

> French military communication satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q25427652](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25427652)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/syracuse-4a

## Summary
Syracuse 4A is a French military communication satellite launched on October 24, 2021, as part of the Syracuse 4 constellation. It is designed for secure telecommunications and operates in geostationary orbit, providing critical military communications for the French armed forces.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Military satellite and communications satellite
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit
- **Launch date**: October 24, 2021
- **Launch vehicle**: Ariane 5 ECA+ (flight VA255)
- **Launch site**: ELA-3, Guiana Space Centre
- **Operator**: Direction générale de l'Armement (DGA)
- **Manufacturer**: Thales Alenia Space
- **Spacecraft bus**: Spacebus-Neo-100
- **Mass**: 3,852 kg (launch weight)
- **Power source**: Spacecraft solar array (2) and PPS-5000 (4)
- **Design life**: 15 years
- **Part of**: Syracuse 4 satellite constellation
- **Aliases**: Comsat NG 1, Comsat-NG 1

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Syracuse 4A satellite used for?
A: Syracuse 4A is a French military communication satellite designed to provide secure telecommunications for the French armed forces, operating in geostationary orbit.

### Q: Who operates the Syracuse 4A satellite?
A: The satellite is operated by the Direction générale de l'Armement (DGA), the French military procurement agency.

### Q: What is the launch date of Syracuse 4A?
A: Syracuse 4A was launched on October 24, 2021, aboard an Ariane 5 ECA+ rocket from ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Centre.

### Q: What is the design life of Syracuse 4A?
A: The satellite has a design life of 15 years, ensuring long-term operational capability for military communications.

### Q: What is the mass of Syracuse 4A at launch?
A: Syracuse 4A has a launch mass of 3,852 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
Syracuse 4A is a critical component of France's military communications infrastructure, providing secure and reliable satellite-based communication for the French armed forces. As part of the Syracuse 4 constellation, it ensures continuous connectivity for defense operations, intelligence gathering, and command and control functions. The satellite's geostationary orbit allows for uninterrupted coverage, enhancing France's strategic capabilities in both domestic and international defense scenarios. Its advanced design and robust power systems ensure long-term operational reliability, reinforcing France's position as a key player in military space technology.

## Notable For
- **Military-grade communications**: Designed specifically for secure military telecommunications.
- **Geostationary orbit**: Provides continuous coverage for critical defense operations.
- **Part of Syracuse 4 constellation**: Enhances France's military satellite network.
- **Long design life**: 15-year operational lifespan for sustained service.
- **Advanced spacecraft bus**: Utilizes the Spacebus-Neo-100 platform for reliability.

## Body
### Overview
Syracuse 4A is a French military communication satellite launched on October 24, 2021, as part of the Syracuse 4 constellation. It is operated by the Direction générale de l'Armement (DGA) and manufactured by Thales Alenia Space. The satellite is designed to provide secure telecommunications for the French armed forces, operating in geostationary orbit.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 3,852 kg (launch weight)
- **Power source**: Spacecraft solar array (2) and PPS-5000 (4)
- **Spacecraft bus**: Spacebus-Neo-100
- **Design life**: 15 years
- **Launch vehicle**: Ariane 5 ECA+ (flight VA255)
- **Launch site**: ELA-3, Guiana Space Centre

### Mission and Operation
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit
- **Operator**: Direction générale de l'Armement (DGA)
- **Aliases**: Comsat NG 1, Comsat-NG 1
- **Part of**: Syracuse 4 satellite constellation

### Historical Context
- **Launch date**: October 24, 2021
- **Significant event**: Launched alongside SES-17 on an Ariane 5 ECA+ rocket

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Syracuse 4A",
  "description": "French military communication satellite launched in 2021 as part of the Syracuse 4 constellation.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse_4A"],
  "additionalType": ["MilitarySatellite", "CommunicationsSatellite", "GeostationarySatellite"]
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/syracuse-4a.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report