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Changing short description from "communication satellite" to "Communication satellite launched in 2005"
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{{Short description|Communication satellite launched in 2005}}
{| class="infobox bordered" style="width: 25em; text-align: left; font-size: 95%;" align=right
{{Use American English|date=April 2021}}
|+ style="font-size: larger;" | '''Galaxy 26'''
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
|-
{{Infobox spaceflight
! Spacecraft Design
| name = Galaxy 26
| [[Space Systems/Loral]]
| names_list = G-26<br/>Intelsat Americas 6<br/>IA-6<br/>Telstar 6
|-
| image =
! Orbital location
| image_caption =
|[[93rd meridian west|93° West]]
| image_size = 300px
|-
! Launch Date
|02-15-1999
|-
! Vehicle
|[[LS-1300|FS-1300]]
|-
! Design Life
|12 years
|-
! C-band payload
|24 x 36 MHz
|-
! Amp type
|SSPA, 20 watts
|-
! Amp Redundancy
|16 for 12
|-
! Receiver redundancy
|4 for 2
|-
! Coverage
|50 State, Canada, Mexico
|-
! Beacon
|3700.5 MHz (H)
|-
! Beacon
|4199.5 MHz (V)
|-
|}


| mission_type = [[Communications satellite|Communications]]
'''Galaxy 26''' is a [[communications satellite]] owned by [[Intelsat]]. It was built by [[Space Systems/Loral]], as part of its [[LS-1300|FS-1300]] line. Galaxy 26 was formerly known as '''Intelsat Americas 6''' and '''Telstar 6'''. It was launched aboard a [[Proton rocket|Proton-K/DM3]] from [[Baikonur Cosmodrome|Baykonur]] LC81.<ref name = " "> {{cite web
| operator = [[Intelsat]]
| title = Jonathan's Space Report
| COSPAR_ID = 2005-005A
| work = No. 389
| SATCAT = 25626
| url = http://www.planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.389
| website = https://www.intelsat.com
| accessdate=2007-10-10
| mission_duration = 12 years (planned)<br/>9 years (achieved)
}} </ref>


| spacecraft =
It spent most of its operational life at the [[93rd meridian west|93°&nbsp;W]] [[longitude]] orbital slot, serving the [[North America]]n market. Clients included [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], [[CBS]], [[CNN]] and [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]].<ref>[http://www.lyngsat.com/galaxy26.html Lyngsat.com list of channels carried on Galaxy 26]</ref>
| spacecraft_type = [[Galaxy (satellite)|Galaxy]]
| spacecraft_bus = [[SSL 1300|SSL 1300S]]
| manufacturer = [[SSL (company)|Space Systems/Loral]]
| launch_mass = {{cvt|3763|kg}}
| dry_mass = {{cvt|1469|kg}}
| dimensions =
| power = 16 [[Watt|kW]]


| launch_date = 15 February 2005, 05:12:00 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]
==The Dying Bird==
| launch_rocket = [[Proton-K]] / [[Blok DM-03|DM-03]]
| launch_site = [[Baikonur Cosmodrome|Baikonur]], [[Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81|Site 81/23]]
| launch_contractor = [[Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center]]


| entered_service = April 2005
Galaxy 26 had its share of problems since its February 15, 1999 launch. It had lost a backup command and control receiver, the back up computer, and had completely shut off twice.
| disposal_type = [[Graveyard orbit]]
| deactivated = 7 June 2014
| last_contact =


| orbit_reference = [[Geocentric orbit]]
On June 29, 2008, Galaxy 26 had a power failure in one of its solar panels. It lost 15 kilowatts out of a possible 37 kilowatt capacity, which is very important for charging the batteries. <ref>[http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/display_story.cgi?number=264085338 SatNews.com Wattlessness has Afflicted Inteletsat's G26]</ref> Also, there were multiple transponder failures.
| orbit_regime = [[Geostationary orbit]]
| orbit_slot = 93° West
| apsis = gee


| trans_band = 52 [[Transponder (satellite communications)|transponders]]:<br/>24 [[C band (IEEE)|C-band]]<br/>28 [[Ku band|Ku-band]]
Several cable television networks immediately took action to move their feeds to backup satellites in order to keep themselves on air in the event of total failure. Fox News moved operations to Galaxy 16 Transponders 7, 9, and 11, and to AMC 5 Transponder 4K Slot F according to a Fox News internal email. Within a week, CBS had moved all main feeds to Galaxy 25, and all secondary feeds to Galaxy 28, according to an internal email.
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth = 36 [[Hertz|MHz]]
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage = [[Canada]], [[United States]], [[Mexico]]


| programme = [[Intelsat|Intelsat constellation]]
Subsequently, Intelsat moved the satellite to the 50.8E orbital position for use by the [[United States Department of Defense]] for [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] support.
| previous_mission = [[Galaxy 25]]
| next_mission = [[Galaxy 27]]
}}


'''Galaxy 26''' is a [[communications satellite]] owned by [[Intelsat]]. It was built by [[SSL (company)|Space Systems/Loral]], as part of its [[SSL 1300]] [[satellite bus]]. Galaxy 26 was formerly known as '''Intelsat Americas 6''' and '''Telstar 6'''. It was launched aboard a [[Proton-K]] / [[Blok DM-03|DM-03]] from [[Baikonur Cosmodrome]], [[Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81|Site 81/23]].<ref name="JSR">{{cite web
==References==
|url=https://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.389.txt|title=Report # 389|publisher=Jonathan's Space Report|date=18 February 1999|access-date=14 April 2021}}</ref>
{{Reflist}}


It spent most of its operational life at the 93° West [[longitude]] orbital position, serving the [[North America]]n market. Clients included [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], [[CBS]], [[CNN]] and [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]].
==External links==

== The ailing bird ==
Galaxy 26, known as Telstar 6 at the time, had its share of problems since its 15 February 1999 launch. It had lost a backup command and control receiver, the back up computer, and had completely shut off twice. The satellite first shut down on 22 April 2001 causing the Fox network to relocate feeds to Telstar 5 at 97° West. Then on 11 April 2002 it shut down again and went into a very slow spin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mr. Video's Satellite Slates|url=http://www.vidiot.com/SatSlates.html|website=vidiot.com|date=22 April 2001|access-date=14 April 2021}}</ref>

On 29 June 2008, Galaxy 26 had a power failure in one of its solar panels. It lost 15 kilowatts out of a possible 37 kilowatt capacity, which is very important for charging the batteries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wattlessness Has Afflicted Intelsat's Galaxy 26|url=http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/display_story.cgi?number=264085338|publisher=SatNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716010845/http://www.satnews.com/cgi-bin/display_story.cgi?number=264085338|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Also, there were multiple transponder failures.
Several cable television networks immediately took action to move their feeds to backup satellites in order to keep themselves on air in the event of total failure. Fox News moved operations to Galaxy 16 transponders 7, 9, and 11, and to AMC-5 transponder 4K Slot F according to a [[Fox News]] internal email. Within a week, [[CBS]] had moved all main feeds to Galaxy 25, and all secondary feeds to Galaxy 28, according to an internal email.

In February 2009, following an urgent call from the Pentagon's Joint staff, Intelsat moved the satellite to the 50.8° East orbital position for use by the [[United States Department of Defense]] for [[unmanned aerial vehicle]] support.<ref name="intelsat.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.intelsat.com/news/intelsat-repositions-satellite-to-serve-military-units-in-asia-mideast/|title=Intelsat Repositions Satellite to Serve Military|website=intelsat.com|date=24 March 2009|access-date=April 18, 2015}}</ref> This repositioning of the Galaxy-26, which could be reached by U.S. drone operators by using the relay station at [[Ramstein Air Base]], facilitated the rapid expansion of the U.S. drone program.<ref name="theintercept">{{cite web|url=https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/04/17/ramstein/|title=Germany is the Tell-Tale Heart of America's Drone War|publisher=The Intercept|author=Jeremy Scahill|date=17 April 2015|access-date=14 April 2021}}</ref>

== End of mission ==
Galaxy 26 was officially decommissioned on 7 June 2014.<ref name="Intelsat">{{cite web|url=http://www.intelsatgeneral.com/blog/old-satellites-never-die-they-just-fade-away/|title=Old Satellites Never Die, They Just Fade Away|last=Sears|first=Kay|publisher=Intelsat General Corporation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014092717/http://www.intelsatgeneral.com/blog/old-satellites-never-die-they-just-fade-away/|archive-date=October 14, 2016|url-status=dead|date=July 14, 2014|access-date=14 April 2021}}</ref> The satellite was originally scheduled for decommissioning around 15 March 2014, but that date was extended following delays in the launch of two replacement satellites.<ref name="FCC">{{cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=1039286|title=STA Request|date=12 March 2014}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* Gunter's Space Page - information on [http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/telstar-5.htm Galaxy 26]
* Gunter's Space Page - information on [http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/telstar-5.htm Galaxy 26]
*{{satbeams footprint|5279|Galaxy-26 Ku-band North America Beam}}
* {{satbeams footprint|5279|Galaxy-26 Ku-band North America Beam}}
*{{satbeams footprint|5280|Galaxy-26 C-band North America Beam}}
* {{satbeams footprint|5280|Galaxy-26 C-band North America Beam}}

{{Intelsat|state=collapsed}}
{{Orbital launches in 1999}}


[[Category:Communications satellites in geostationary orbit]]
[[Category:Communications satellites in geostationary orbit]]
[[Category:Satellite television]]
[[Category:Satellite television]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 1999]]
[[Category:Spacecraft decommissioned in 2014]]
[[Category:Satellites using the SSL 1300 bus]]

Revision as of 11:29, 27 September 2023

Galaxy 26
NamesG-26
Intelsat Americas 6
IA-6
Telstar 6
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorIntelsat
COSPAR ID2005-005A
SATCAT no.25626
Websitehttps://www.intelsat.com
Mission duration12 years (planned)
9 years (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft typeGalaxy
BusSSL 1300S
ManufacturerSpace Systems/Loral
Launch mass3,763 kg (8,296 lb)
Dry mass1,469 kg (3,239 lb)
Power16 kW
Start of mission
Launch date15 February 2005, 05:12:00 UTC
RocketProton-K / DM-03
Launch siteBaikonur, Site 81/23
ContractorKhrunichev State Research and Production Space Center
Entered serviceApril 2005
End of mission
DisposalGraveyard orbit
Deactivated7 June 2014
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Slot93° West
Transponders
Band52 transponders:
24 C-band
28 Ku-band
Bandwidth36 MHz
Coverage areaCanada, United States, Mexico
 

Galaxy 26 is a communications satellite owned by Intelsat. It was built by Space Systems/Loral, as part of its SSL 1300 satellite bus. Galaxy 26 was formerly known as Intelsat Americas 6 and Telstar 6. It was launched aboard a Proton-K / DM-03 from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 81/23.[1]

It spent most of its operational life at the 93° West longitude orbital position, serving the North American market. Clients included ABC, CBS, CNN and FOX.

The ailing bird

Galaxy 26, known as Telstar 6 at the time, had its share of problems since its 15 February 1999 launch. It had lost a backup command and control receiver, the back up computer, and had completely shut off twice. The satellite first shut down on 22 April 2001 causing the Fox network to relocate feeds to Telstar 5 at 97° West. Then on 11 April 2002 it shut down again and went into a very slow spin.[2]

On 29 June 2008, Galaxy 26 had a power failure in one of its solar panels. It lost 15 kilowatts out of a possible 37 kilowatt capacity, which is very important for charging the batteries.[3] Also, there were multiple transponder failures. Several cable television networks immediately took action to move their feeds to backup satellites in order to keep themselves on air in the event of total failure. Fox News moved operations to Galaxy 16 transponders 7, 9, and 11, and to AMC-5 transponder 4K Slot F according to a Fox News internal email. Within a week, CBS had moved all main feeds to Galaxy 25, and all secondary feeds to Galaxy 28, according to an internal email.

In February 2009, following an urgent call from the Pentagon's Joint staff, Intelsat moved the satellite to the 50.8° East orbital position for use by the United States Department of Defense for unmanned aerial vehicle support.[4] This repositioning of the Galaxy-26, which could be reached by U.S. drone operators by using the relay station at Ramstein Air Base, facilitated the rapid expansion of the U.S. drone program.[5]

End of mission

Galaxy 26 was officially decommissioned on 7 June 2014.[6] The satellite was originally scheduled for decommissioning around 15 March 2014, but that date was extended following delays in the launch of two replacement satellites.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Report # 389". Jonathan's Space Report. 18 February 1999. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Mr. Video's Satellite Slates". vidiot.com. 22 April 2001. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Wattlessness Has Afflicted Intelsat's Galaxy 26". SatNews. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011.
  4. ^ "Intelsat Repositions Satellite to Serve Military". intelsat.com. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
  5. ^ Jeremy Scahill (17 April 2015). "Germany is the Tell-Tale Heart of America's Drone War". The Intercept. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  6. ^ Sears, Kay (14 July 2014). "Old Satellites Never Die, They Just Fade Away". Intelsat General Corporation. Archived from the original on 14 October 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  7. ^ "STA Request". 12 March 2014. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Galaxy_26&oldid=1177385565"