# W Series

> former fleet of Eutelsat geostationary communications satellites

**Wikidata**: [Q7958504](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7958504)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W_series_(satellites))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/w-series-q7958504

## Summary
The W Series was a former fleet of geostationary communications satellites operated by Eutelsat, launched between 1998 and 2012. It was part of Eutelsat's geostationary satellite network, providing telecommunications services before being decommissioned.

## Key Facts
- **Operator**: Eutelsat
- **Inception**: 1998
- **Decommissioned**: 2012
- **Type**: Geostationary communications satellites
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit
- **Aliases**: Eutelsat W Series
- **Instance of**: Spacecraft fleet
- **Subclass of**: Communications satellite, geostationary satellite

## FAQs
### Q: What was the W Series?
A: The W Series was a fleet of geostationary communications satellites operated by Eutelsat, launched between 1998 and 2012. It was designed for telecommunications services before being decommissioned in 2012.

### Q: Who operated the W Series satellites?
A: The W Series satellites were operated by Eutelsat, a European telecommunications satellite operator.

### Q: When were the W Series satellites launched?
A: The W Series satellites were launched between 1998 and 2012, with the fleet being decommissioned in 2012.

### Q: What type of orbit did the W Series satellites use?
A: The W Series satellites were geostationary, meaning they remained fixed over a specific point on Earth's equator.

### Q: What was the purpose of the W Series satellites?
A: The W Series satellites were designed for telecommunications, providing communication services before being decommissioned in 2012.

## Why It Matters
The W Series played a significant role in Eutelsat's geostationary satellite network, providing essential telecommunications services. Launched in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the satellites were part of Eutelsat's efforts to expand its coverage and capacity in the geostationary orbit. The decommissioning of the W Series in 2012 marked the end of an era for this fleet, as Eutelsat transitioned to newer satellite technologies. Despite its retirement, the W Series contributed to the development of satellite communications, ensuring reliable connectivity for various applications, including broadcasting, internet services, and telephony.

## Notable For
- **First geostationary fleet**: One of the first dedicated geostationary satellite fleets by Eutelsat.
- **Telecommunications pioneer**: Provided early telecommunications services in the geostationary orbit.
- **Legacy system**: Served as a foundational part of Eutelsat's satellite network before being replaced by newer models.

## Body
### Overview
The W Series was a fleet of geostationary communications satellites operated by Eutelsat. Launched between 1998 and 2012, the satellites were designed to provide telecommunications services in the geostationary orbit. The fleet was decommissioned in 2012, marking the end of its operational life.

### Operator and Inception
- **Operator**: Eutelsat, a European telecommunications satellite operator.
- **Inception**: The W Series was launched starting in 1998, with the final satellites launched in the early 2000s.
- **Decommissioning**: The fleet was decommissioned in 2012, transitioning to newer satellite technologies.

### Orbit and Function
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit, allowing the satellites to remain fixed over a specific point on Earth's equator.
- **Function**: Designed for telecommunications, the W Series provided communication services, including broadcasting, internet, and telephony.

### Legacy
- **Historical significance**: The W Series was part of Eutelsat's early efforts to establish a robust geostationary satellite network.
- **Technological role**: The satellites contributed to the development of satellite communications, ensuring reliable connectivity for various applications.