Operator B-SAT SATCAT № 32019 Spacecraft BSAT-3a Launch mass 1,980 kg Launch date 14 August 2007 Mission type Communications satellite | COSPAR ID 2007-036B Website B-SAT Satellite Fleet Dry mass 927 kg (2,044 lb) Launch mass 1,980 kg Bus Lockheed Martin A2100 | |
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin Space Systems Similar N‑SAT‑110, JCSAT‑5A, Superbird‑C2, JCSAT‑2A, Superbird‑B2 | ||
BSAT-3a, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by B-SAT which was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100 platform. It is stationed on the 110° East orbital slot along its companion BSAT-3b and BSAT-3c from where they provide redundant high definition direct television broadcastin across Japan.
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Satellite description
BSAT-3a was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100 satellite bus for B-SAT. It had a launch mass of 1,980 kg (4,370 lb), a dry mass of 927 kg (2,044 lb), and a 13-year design life. As most satellites based on the A2100 platform, it uses a 460 N (100 lbf) LEROS-1C LAE for orbit raising.
It measured 3.8 m × 1.9 m × 1.9 m (12.5 ft × 6.2 ft × 6.2 ft) when stowed for launch. Its dual wing solar panels can generate 2.8 kW of power at the end of its design life, and span 14.65 m (48.1 ft) when fully deployed.
It has a single Ku band payload with 8 active transponders plus four spares with a TWTA output power of 130 Watts.
History
On April 27, 2005, Lockheed Martin announced that it had been granted by B-SAT an authorization to proceed to the construction of its first third generation broadcasting satellite, BSAT-3a. On May 18, 2005, both companies announced the signature of the definitive contract for the satellite. It would be based on the A2100 platform, sport eight 130Watts Ku band transponders (plus 4 spares), have a design life of 13 years and have a 1.8 kW power generation capability. It was expected launch in the second quarter of 2007 to be co-located at the 110° East orbital position. On June 15, 2005, Arianespace announced that it had been awarded the launch contract for BSAT-3a.
On June 19, 2007 Lockheed announced that it was poised to deliver BSAT-3a on the third quarter of 2007, along another Japanese spacecraft, JCSAT-11. BSAT-3a was the sixth broadcasting satellite procured by B-SAT.
On August 10, 2007, Lockheed announced that BSAT-3a was mated to the launcher and ready for its ride to orbit. It launched at 23:44 UTC, of August 14, 2007 aboard an Ariane 5 ECA from Guiana Space Center ELA-3 launch pad. It rode on the lower berth under the SYLDA along Spaceway-3. The first signals from the satellite were received one hour later, at 00:46 UTC August 15, 2007. It also marked the 33rd launch of the A2100 platform.
It was entered into service on October 1, 2007 after successfully passing the on-orbit deployment and checkout phase.