# WildBlue 1
**Wikidata**: [Q2570253](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2570253)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wildblue-1

## Summary
WildBlue 1 is a communications satellite launched on December 8, 2006. It was deployed into orbit using an Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle from the ELA-3 launch site. The satellite is identified by the COSPAR ID 2006-054A and the Satellite Catalog Number 29643.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Communications satellite (artificial satellite designed for telecommunications).
- **Launch Date:** December 8, 2006.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 5 ECA (European launch vehicle).
- **Launch Site:** ELA-3 (Ariane Launch Complex 3).
- **COSPAR ID:** 2006-054A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 29643.
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch occurring on December 8, 2006, at ELA-3.
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/121pk5p5.

## FAQs
### Q: When was WildBlue 1 launched?
A: WildBlue 1 was launched on December 8, 2006.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch WildBlue 1?
A: The satellite was launched aboard an Ariane 5 ECA, a European heavy-lift launch vehicle.

### Q: What type of satellite is WildBlue 1?
A: WildBlue 1 is classified as a communications satellite, designed specifically for telecommunications purposes.

### Q: Where did the launch of WildBlue 1 take place?
A: The launch took place at ELA-3, a launch facility associated with the Ariane rocket program.

## Why It Matters
WildBlue 1 serves as a distinct entry in the catalog of space infrastructure launched during the mid-2000s. As a communications satellite, it represents the ongoing global efforts during this period to expand telecommunications capabilities through space-based assets. Its deployment via the Ariane 5 ECA—a flagship European launch vehicle—highlights the international nature of satellite deployment, where payloads are often launched by carriers from different nations to achieve specific orbital requirements.

The satellite's specific identifiers, such as its COSPAR ID (2006-054A) and Satellite Catalog Number (29643), allow for precise tracking and differentiation within the global registry of space objects. These technical details are essential for air traffic control, space situational awareness, and the management of orbital slots. The mission exemplifies the standard operational procedures of placing high-capacity communications hardware into orbit to support data and voice services.

## Notable For
- Being a dedicated communications satellite launched in late 2006.
- Utilizing the Ariane 5 ECA heavy-lift launch vehicle for deployment.
- Having a specific tracking designation of SCN 29643.
- Launching from the ELA-3 complex, a specialized site for Ariane missions.

## Body

### Mission Profile and Launch
WildBlue 1 was successfully launched on December 8, 2006. The mission utilized the Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle, a variant of the European Ariane 5 rocket designed for geostationary transfer orbit missions. The launch occurred at the ELA-3 (Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 3) facility, a primary launch site for the Ariane rocket family.

### Technical Classification and Identifiers
The object is formally classified as a communications satellite. It is tracked internationally using the following designations:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2006-054A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number:** 29643

These identifiers are referenced in major databases, including Wolfram Language (Entity["Satellite", "29643"]) and the Google Knowledge Graph (/g/121pk5p5).

### Related Entities
The satellite is functionally and historically linked to the class of "communications satellites." Its deployment is also intrinsically linked to the "Ariane 5 ECA" launch vehicle class.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report