Superbird-B2
NamesSuperbird-4
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorSpace Communications Corporation /
SKY Perfect JSAT
COSPAR ID2000-012A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.26095
Mission duration13 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSuperbird-4
Spacecraft typeSuperbird
BusHS-601 HP
ManufacturerHughes Space and Communications
Launch mass4,057 kg (8,944 lb) [1]
Dry mass2,460 kg (5,420 lb)
Power5.5 kW
Start of mission
Launch date18 February 2000, 01:04 UTC
RocketAriane 44LP H10-3 (V127)
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude162° East
Transponders
Band29 transponders:[2]
23 Ku-band
6 Ka-band
Coverage areaJapan
 

Superbird-B2, also known by its pre-launch designation Superbird-4, is a Japanese communications satellite which is operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group. It was originally built and launched for the Space Communications Corporation (SCC), which merged with JSAT Corporation (JSAT) in October 2008.[3] It was constructed by Hughes Space and Communications and is based on the HS-601 HP satellite bus.

Satellite

Space Communications Corporation (SCC) of Tokyo, Japan, ordered its second spacecraft from Hughes Space and Communications (HSC), on 6 April 1998.[2] It was built at the Los Angeles plant, California, United States.

Launch

Launch occurred on 18 February 2000, at 01:04 UTC.[4] The launch was contracted by Arianespace, and used an Ariane 44LP H10-3 launch vehicle flying from ELA-2 at the Centre Spatial Guyanais. Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 162° East, from where it provides communications services to Japan. It is equipped with thirty five transponders. Currently, the J-Alert (Japanese emergency warning system) is broadcast via Superbird-B2.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Superbird 4 (Superbird B2)". Gunter's Space Page. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b Ray, Justin (18 February 2000). "Ariane 4 rocket launches Japan's Superbird 4". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Superbird-B2". JSAT Corporation. Archived from the original on 28 November 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  4. ^ McDowell, Jonathan (29 February 2000). "Issue 421". Jonathan's Space Report. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
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