COSPAR ID 2000-046A Mission duration 12 years Manufacturer Hughes Rocket Ariane 4 Operators Embratel, Star One | SATCAT no. 26469 Bus HS-376W Launch date 17 August 2000 Mission type Communications satellite | |
Launch mass 2,495 kilograms (5,501 lb) Similar Star One C1, Brasilsat B1, Intelsat 1R, AMC‑6, Intelsat 9 | ||
Star One B4, originally deignated Brasilsat B4 is a Brazilian communications satellite which is operated by Star One. It was constructed by the Hughes Space and Communications Company, and is based on the HS-376W satellite bus. It was the penultimate HS-376, and final HS-376W to be launched. Its launch was contracted by Arianespace, using an Ariane 4 44LP-3 carrier rocket. The launch occurred at 23:16 GMT on 17 August 2000, from the ELA-2 launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre. The Nilesat 102 satellite was launched on the same rocket.
It was originally built and launched as Brasilsat B4 for Embratel, and was later transferred to Embratel's subsidiary Star One and renamed. Following its launch it raised itself into geostationary orbit by means of its onboard R-4D apogee motor, and was positioned at 75° West for on-orbit testing. This was completed in September 2000, and it was moved to 92° West, arriving in October. It remained at that position until January 2007 when it was relocated to 70° West. It arrived on station in February, and subsequently departed in June 2008. In July 2008 it arrived at 84° West, where it is currently stationed. It carries twenty eight transponders, and has an expected on-orbit lifespan of 12 years. It initially replaced the Brasilsat A2 satellite.