Skynet 5D was lowered into place over Mexsat Bicentenario on Tuesday encapsulated in an ogive-shaped payload fairing. Skynet 5D is the fourth Astrium-built satellite in the Skynet 5 series and is riding as the upper passenger in Ariane 5’s payload "stack," scheduled to be deployed first in the launch sequence.

The Skynet 5D relay platform aims to reinforce and extend the operational services provided by the current three Skynet 5 satellites in orbit and will be positioned over the Middle East at 50 degrees East.

Skynet 5D is equipped with larger fuel tanks, designed to allow it to be repositioned more frequently to meet operational needs. The satellite aims to extend the total commercially-owned X-band to over 2 GHz of high powered beams across the world. Astrium Services also signed a multi-million dollar contract with Harris CapRock earlier this year to provide additional UHF capacity on Skynet 5D for military and government customers worldwide.