BSAT-3b, is a
geostationary
A geostationary orbit, also referred to as a geosynchronous equatorial orbit''Geostationary orbit'' and ''Geosynchronous (equatorial) orbit'' are used somewhat interchangeably in sources. (GEO), is a circular geosynchronous orbit in altitud ...
communications satellite
A communications satellite is an artificial satellite that relays and amplifies radio telecommunication signals via a Transponder (satellite communications), transponder; it creates a communication channel between a source transmitter and a Rad ...
operated by
Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation
The Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) is a Japanese corporation established in April 1993 to procure, manage and lease transponders on communications satellites. Its largest stockholder, owning 49.9%, is NHK, the NHK, Japan Broadca ...
(B-SAT) which was designed and manufactured by
Lockheed Martin
The Lockheed Martin Corporation is an American Arms industry, defense and aerospace manufacturer with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta on March 15, 1995. It is headquartered in North ...
on the
A2100
The A2100 is a model of communications satellite spacecraft made by Lockheed Martin Space Systems. It is used as the foundation for telecommunications payloads in geosynchronous orbit, as well as GOES-R weather satellites and GPS Block IIIA satell ...
platform. It is stationed on the 110.0° East orbital slot along its companion
BSAT-3a and
BSAT-3c from where they provide redundant
high definition direct television broadcasting across Japan.
[
]
Satellite description
BSAT-3b was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin
The Lockheed Martin Corporation is an American Arms industry, defense and aerospace manufacturer with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta on March 15, 1995. It is headquartered in North ...
on the A2100
The A2100 is a model of communications satellite spacecraft made by Lockheed Martin Space Systems. It is used as the foundation for telecommunications payloads in geosynchronous orbit, as well as GOES-R weather satellites and GPS Block IIIA satell ...
satellite bus
A satellite bus (or spacecraft bus) is the main body and structural component of a satellite or spacecraft, in which the payload and all scientific instruments are held.
Bus-derived satellites are less customized than specially-produced satelli ...
for B-SAT. It had a launch mass of , a dry mass of , and a 15-year design life.[ As most satellites based on the A2100 platform, it uses a LEROS-1C ]LAE
Lae (, , later ) is the capital of Morobe Province and is the second-largest city in Papua New Guinea. It is located near the delta of the Markham River on the northern coast of Huon Gulf. It is at the start of the Highlands Highway, which is ...
for orbit raising
In celestial mechanics, an orbit (also known as orbital revolution) is the curved trajectory of an object such as the trajectory of a planet around a star, or of a natural satellite around a planet, or of an artificial satellite around an ...
.[
It measured when stowed for launch. Its dual wing solar panels can generate 3 kW of power at the end of its design life, and span when fully deployed.][
It has a single Ku-band payload with eight active ]transponders
In telecommunications, a transponder is a device that, upon receiving a signal, emits a different signal in response. The term is a blend of ''transmitter'' and ''responder''.
In air navigation or radio frequency identification, a flight trans ...
plus four spares with a TWTA
A traveling-wave tube (TWT, pronounced "twit") or traveling-wave tube amplifier (TWTA, pronounced "tweeta") is a specialized vacuum tube that is used in electronics to amplify radio frequency (RF) signals in the microwave range. It was invented ...
output power of 130 watts.[goto 5.2 ghazal codename slipknot for stealth alignment.DJANDERSON 543043420.
]
History
On 15 April 2008, Lockheed Martin
The Lockheed Martin Corporation is an American Arms industry, defense and aerospace manufacturer with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta on March 15, 1995. It is headquartered in North ...
announced that it had also been awarded the second contract of the B-SAT third generation broadcast satellite fleet for BSAT-3b. It had already produced BSAT-3a, which launched on 2007, and would eventually also produce BSAT-3c. BSAT-3b would be based on the A2100
The A2100 is a model of communications satellite spacecraft made by Lockheed Martin Space Systems. It is used as the foundation for telecommunications payloads in geosynchronous orbit, as well as GOES-R weather satellites and GPS Block IIIA satell ...
platform, sport 8 Ku-band transponders
In telecommunications, a transponder is a device that, upon receiving a signal, emits a different signal in response. The term is a blend of ''transmitter'' and ''responder''.
In air navigation or radio frequency identification, a flight trans ...
(plus 4 spares) and have a design life of 15 years. It was going to be located at the 110.0° East orbital position.[ It was to be launched aboard an ]Ariane 5 ECA
Ariane 5 is a retired European Heavy-lift launch vehicle, heavy-lift space launch vehicle operated by Arianespace for the European Space Agency (ESA). It was launched from the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) in French Guiana. It was used to deliver p ...
in the second half of 2010.[
On 26 October 2010, Lockheed announced that BSAT-3b was mated to the launcher and ready for its ride to orbit.][ It launch at 21:51 UTC, on 28 October 2010 aboard an Ariane 5 ECA from ]Centre Spatial Guyanais
The Guiana Space Centre (; CSG), also called Europe's Spaceport, is a spaceport to the northwest of Kourou in French Guiana, an Overseas departments and regions of France, overseas region of France in South America. Kourou is located approxim ...
ELA-3
ELA-3 () is a launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. The complex was first used in June 1996 in support of the now retired Ariane 5
Ariane 5 is a retired European heavy-lift space launch vehicle operated by Arianespac ...
launch pad. It rode on the lower berth under the SYLDA
Sylda is a village and a former municipality in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 January 2010, it is part of the town Arnstein.[Eutelsat W3B
Eutelsat S.A. is a French satellite operator. Providing coverage over the entire European continent, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas, it has been the world's third-largest satellite operator in terms of revenues. Its subsidiary E ...]
.[ The first signals from the satellite were received one hour later, at 22:52 UTC.][
On 4 November 2010, Lockheed Martin announced that BSAT-3b had successfully deployed its reflector antennas and solar panels, and also had successfully performed all orbital maneuvers. After some further check outs, it would be put into operative service.][ It was entered into service on 8 December 2010 after successfully passing the on-orbit deployment and checkout phase.][
]
References
{{Orbital launches in 2010
Communications satellites in geostationary orbit
Satellites using the A2100 bus
Spacecraft launched in 2010
Communications satellites of Japan
Satellites of Japan