Names Superbird-2 COSPAR ID 1990-F01 Launch date 22 February 1990 Launch mass 2,492 kg | Mission type Communication Spacecraft Superbird-B Launch mass 2,492 kg Rocket Ariane 4 | |
Dimensions Stowed:2.41 m × 2.58 m × 2.20 m (7 ft 11 in × 8 ft 6 in × 7 ft 3 in)Solar arrays extended:20.3 m (67 ft) Similar INSAT‑2DT, Superbird‑B2, Prowler | ||
Superbird-B, also identified as Superbird-2 before launch, was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Ford Aerospace (now SSL MDA) on the SSL 1300 platform. It was originally ordered by Space Communications Corporation (SCC), which later merged into the SKY Perfect JSAT Group. It had a mixed Ku band, Ka band and X band payload and was lost at launch.
Contents
It was ordered in 1985 along Superbird-A, Superbird-A1 and Superbird-B1 on the very first order of the SSL 1300 platform. It was to be the second satellite of SCC. It was supposed to be used for video distribution, news gathering, remote publishing and high definition TV service to the main islands of Japan and Okinawa from the 162°East position.
Satellite description
The spacecraft was the second satellite designed and manufactured by Ford Aerospace on the SSL 1300 satellite bus. It was based on the design of the Intelsat V series and offered a three-axis stabilized platform.
It had a launch mass of 2,492 kg (5,494 lb) and a 10 year design life. When stowed for launch, its dimensions were 2.41 m × 2.58 m × 2.20 m (7 ft 11 in × 8 ft 6 in × 7 ft 3 in). With its solar panels fully extended it spanned 20.3 m (67 ft). Its power system generated approximately 4 kW of power thanks to two wings with three solar panels each.It also had dual NiH2 battery to survive the solar eclipses. It was supposed to serve as the main satellite on the 162°East position of the Superbird fleet.
Its propulsion system included an R-4D-11 LAE with a thrust of 490 N (110 lbf). It included enough propellant for orbit circularization and 10 years of operation.
History
Space Communications Corporation (SCC) was founded in 1985, the same year as the original companies that later formed JSAT. On 1986 SCC ordered four spacecraft from Space Systems/Loral: Superbird-1, Superbird-2, Superbird-A1 and Superbird-B1.
On February 22, 1990, at 23:17 GMT, Superbird-2 was launched aboard an Ariane 44L along with BS-2X. At 100 seconds into the flight, the flight failed due to a piece of cloth that blocked a water line in one of the Viking engines of the first stage. Both satellites were lost, and Superbird-B1 was rushed into launch.