[1] It was launched aboard an Ariane 5 carrier rocket at 22:03 GMT on 11 March 2007.

[2][3] Skynet 5A was one of two payloads orbited by the first Arianespace Ariane 5 launch of 2007.

India's INSAT 4B communications satellite was launched on the same rocket.

Skynet 5A is being used to provide secure communications services for the British armed forces and NATO.

It is operated by Paradigm Secure Communications, a commercial organisation which is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS Astrium, on behalf of the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence.