Intelsat 605
| Company type | Satellite operator |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
Area served | Global |
| Products | Communications satellites |
Intelsat 605, originally designated Intelsat VI F-5, was a communications satellite managed by Intelsat. It was launched in 1991 as the fourth unit among five Intelsat VI satellites constructed by Hughes Aircraft utilizing the HS-389 platform.
The launch occurred at 23:15:13 UTC on 14 August 1991, using an Ariane 4 44L vehicle (flight V45) from the Kourou's ELA-2 launch complex. Initially, the spacecraft was inserted into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, after which it employed two liquid-propellant R-4D-12 thrusters to achieve its designated geostationary orbit by 20 August 1991.
Operating in geostationary orbit, Intelsat 605 maintained a perigee and apogee consistent with zero inclination. The payload comprised 38 IEEE C band transponders alongside ten Ku band units. At launch, its mass was , and it was engineered for a mission duration of approximately 13 years.
Throughout its service life, the satellite occupied several orbital positions: beginning at 21.5°W in late 1991; relocating to 24.5°W from July 1992 until November 1997; shifting to 27.5°W through March 2003; moving to 32.9°E until October 2004; briefly stationed at 77°W during late 2004 to early 2005; and ultimately positioned at 174°E from April 2005 until its retirement in January 2009.
Upon conclusion of its operational period, Intelsat 605 was transferred to a graveyard orbit.