ARIANESPACE
Ariane 5 ECA | Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3
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Dec 19, 2012 at 21:49 UTC
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Source
PADAriane Launch Area 3
SITEGuiana Space Centre, French Guiana →ORBITGeostationary Transfer Orbit
TYPECommunications
MISSION OVERVIEW
Skynet 5D is a military communications satellite operated by Astrium Services on behalf of the British Ministry of Defence. It operates in a geostationary orbit at 25 degrees East. Mexsat-3 is part of the MEXSAT telecommunications network and occupies 114.9 degrees West. It provides broadband, high quality telephony and much more for Mexico.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Ariane 5 ECAAGENCY
ArianespaceMISSION
Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Ariane Launch Area 3LAUNCH SITE
Guiana Space Centre, French GuianaCOUNTRY
FRA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 781afd38-b228-4130-9750-6e62b8408efd
Reported date: Dec 19, 2012 at 21:49 UTC
Last synced: 2 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Ariane 5 ECA →
MANUFACTURER
ArianeGroup
VARIANT
ECA
FLIGHTS
73
SUCCESSES
71
SUCCESS RATE
97.3%
Ariane 5 is a heavy-lift launch vehicle, part of the Ariane rocket family.
LAUNCH VIDEOS
ARTICLES & COVERAGE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Ariane 5 ECA | Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3 launch?
The Ariane 5 ECA | Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3 is scheduled for Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 9:49 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3?
The Ariane 5 ECA | Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3 mission uses the Ariane 5 ECA rocket, manufactured by ArianeGroup. The Ariane 5 ECA has flown 73 times with a 97.3% success rate.
Where is the Ariane 5 ECA | Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3 launching from?
The launch takes place from Ariane Launch Area 3 at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.
What orbit is Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3 going to?
The Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3 mission is targeting Geostationary Transfer Orbit.
Who is launching Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3?
The Ariane 5 ECA | Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3 is operated by Arianespace.
Can I watch the Ariane 5 ECA | Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 29, 2026 00:02 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 00:02 UTC
Launch date set: Dec 19, 2012 at 21:49 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Arianespace
Mar 29, 2026 00:02 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 2 minutes ago
●Launch Library 22 minutes ago
Launch ID: 781afd38-b228-4130-9750-6e62b8408efd
●Open-Meteo Weather1 hour ago
Pad weather at 5.24, -52.77
Mission Profile
Skynet 5D & Mexsat-3 was a Ariane 5 ECA mission operated by Arianespace that lifted off from Ariane Launch Area 3, Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana on December 19, 2012. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Transfer Orbit. The launch was a success.