BSAT-2c

BSAT-2c

BSAT-2c

Japanese communications satellite

BSAT-2c, was a geostationary communications satellite operated by B-SAT and was designed and manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation on the STAR-1 platform. It was stationed on the 110° East orbital slot along its companion BSAT-2a from where they provided redundant high definition direct television broadcasting across Japan.[4][5][6]

Quick Facts Mission type, Operator ...

The original companion for BSAT-2a was BSAT-2b, but a launch failure during its launch during July 2001, meant that it was not possible to commission it into service. Thus, during October of the same year BSAT-2c was ordered and launched in June 2003. It was retired in August 2013.[7]

Satellite description

BSAT-2c was designed and manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation on the STAR-1 satellite bus for B-SAT. It had a launch mass of 1,275 kg (2,811 lb), a dry mass of 535 kg (1,179 lb), and a 10-year design life.[8] As all four STAR-1 satellites, it had a solid rocket Star 30CBP apogee kick motor for orbit raising, plus 200 kg (440 lb) of propellant for its liquid propellant station keeping thrusters.[5][2][9]

It measured 3.7 m × 2.5 m × 2 m (12.1 ft × 8.2 ft × 6.6 ft) when stowed for launch. Its dual wing solar panels could generate 2.6 kW of power at the beginning of its design life, and it span was 11.5 m (38 ft) when fully deployed.[8]

It had a single Ku band payload with four active transponders plus four spares with a TWTA output power of 130 Watts.[4][8]

History

In March 1999, B-SAT ordered from Orbital Sciences Corporation two satellites based on the STAR-1 platform: BSAT-2a and BSAT-2b.[7] This was the second order of the bus and the first since Orbital had acquired CTA Space Systems, the original developer.[2] During 2001, BSAT-2a was successfully launched, but BSAT-2b was orbited into an incorrect orbit and was considered lost. In October of the same year, B-SAT contracted Orbital for a near copy replacement of the lost spacecraft, called BSAT-2c.

BSAT-2c was launched aboard an Ariane 5G at 22:38 UTC, June 11, 2003, from Guiana Space Center ELA-3.[10] It rode on the lower berth below Optus C1.[8] On July 15, BSAT-2c was commissioned into service starting the broadcast of digital signals.[1][7]

B-SAT ended the broadcast of analog television in July 2011. During August 2013, BSAT-2c was sent to a graveyard orbit and decommissioned.[7][4]

References

  1. [1]
    "BSAT 2C". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. April 27, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  2. [2]
    Richmond, Christopher W. (2008). "The Growth of Orbital Sciences and the Market for Small GEO Satellites" (PDF). Space Japan Review (English Version) (55). AIAA JFSC. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  3. [3]
    "BSAT-2C". n2yo.com. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  4. [4]
    "BSAT-2 Series" (PDF). Orbital ATK. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  5. [5]
    Krebs, Gunter Dirk (April 17, 2016). "BSat 2c". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  6. [6]
    "BSat 2C". Satbeams. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  7. [7]
    "沿革" [History]. Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  8. [8]
    "Launch Kit V-161" (PDF). Arianespace. June 4, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 11, 2004. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  9. [9]
    Wade, Mark. "Star Bus". Astronautix.com. Encyclopaedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  10. [10]
    Ray, Justin (June 11, 2003). "Ariane 5 rocket launches double cargo with success". Space Flight Now. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
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