Operator B-SAT SATCAT № 37207 Spacecraft BSAT-3b Launch date 28 October 2010 Mission type Communications satellite | COSPAR ID 2010-056B Website B-SAT Satellite Fleet Launch mass 2,060 kg (4,540 lb) Bus Lockheed Martin A2100 | |
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin Space Systems Similar EchoStar XV, Kosmos 2469, Kosmos 2459 | ||
Ariane 5 eca eutelsat w3b bsat 3b
BSAT-3b, 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-3a and BSAT-3c from where they provide redundant high definition direct television broadcasting across Japan.
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Satellite description
BSAT-3b was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100 satellite bus for B-SAT. It had a launch mass of 2,060 kg (4,540 lb), a dry mass of 975 kg (2,150 lb), and a 15-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 3 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
April 15, 2008 Lockheed Martin 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 platform, sport 8 Ku band transponders (plus 4 spares) and have a design life of 15 years. It was going to be located at the 110° East orbital position. It was to be launched aboard an Ariane 5 ECA in the second half of 2010.
On October 26, 2010, Lockheed announced that BSAT-3b was mated to the launcher and ready for its ride to orbit. It launch at 21:51 UTC, of October 28, 2010 aboard an Ariane 5 ECA from Guiana Space Center ELA-3 launch pad. It rode on the lower berth under the SYLDA along Eutelsat W3B. The first signals from the satellite were received one hour later, at 22:52 UTC.
On November 4, 2010, Lockheed 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 December 8, 2010 after successfully passing the on-orbit deployment and checkout phase.