BSAT-1a
In today's world, BSAT-1a has become a topic of great importance and interest for people from different backgrounds and cultures. Since its emergence, BSAT-1a has caught the attention of numerous experts and enthusiasts, who have dedicated time and effort to exploring its different facets and ramifications. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of BSAT-1a, exploring its origins, evolution, and its impact on modern society. Along the following lines, we will analyze its relevance in various contexts and its influence on the daily lives of millions of people around the world. Get ready to immerse yourself in the exciting study of BSAT-1a!
| Mission type | Communications |
|---|---|
| Operator | BSAT |
| COSPAR ID | 1997-016B[1] |
| SATCAT no. | 24769[2] |
| Mission duration | 13 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | BSAT-1a |
| Bus | HS-376 |
| Manufacturer | Hughes |
| Launch mass | 1,236 kilograms (2,725 lb) |
| BOL mass | 723 kilograms (1,594 lb) |
| Dimensions | 3.15 m × 2.17 m (10.3 ft × 7.1 ft) (stowed for launch) |
| Power | 1,200 watts[3] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 23:08:44, 16 April 1997 (UTC)[4] |
| Rocket | Ariane 44LP V-95 |
| Launch site | Kourou ELA-2 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Entered service | 1 August 1997 |
| End of mission | |
| Disposal | placed in a graveyard orbit |
| Deactivated | 3 August 2010[5] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 110° east |
| Perigee altitude | 36,097 kilometres (22,430 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 36,140 kilometres (22,460 mi) |
| Inclination | 3.33 degrees |
| Period | 24.21 hours |
| Epoch | 11 November 2014, 19:05:02 UTC[6] |
| Transponders | |
| Band | Ku band: 4 (plus 4 spares) |
| Coverage area | Japan |
| TWTA power | 106 Watts |
BSAT-1a was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Hughes (now Boeing) on the HS-376 platform. It was originally ordered and operated by the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT). It was used as the main satellite to broadcast television channels for NHK and WOWOW over Japan. It had a pure Ku band payload and operated on the 110°E longitude until it was replaced, along its backup BSAT-1b, by BSAT-3a.[3][7][8][9] On 3 August 2010, it was decommissioned and placed on a graveyard orbit.[5]
Satellite description
The spacecraft was designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-376 satellite bus. This spin-stabilized platform had two main sections. One, the spinning section, was kept rotating at 50 rpm to maintain attitude, and a despun section that was used by the payload to maintain radio coverage. The spinning section included the Star-30BP Apogee kick motor, most of the attitude control, the power subsystem and the command and telemetry subsystems. The despun section contained the communications payload, including the antennas and transponders.[3][10]
It had a launch mass of 1,236 kg (2,725 lb), a mass of 723 kg (1,594 lb) after reaching geostationary orbit and a 10-year design life. When stowed for launch, its dimensions were 3.15 m (10.3 ft) long and 2.17 m (7 ft 1 in) in diameter. With its solar panels fully extended it spanned 7.97 m (26.1 ft).[3] Its power system generated approximately 1,200 Watts of power thanks to two cylindrical solar panels.[10] It also had a NiH2 batteries for surviving solar eclipses.[3] It would serve along BSAT-1b on the 110°E longitude position for the B-SAT.[10]
Its payload was composed of a four active plus four spares Ku band transponders fed by a TWTA with an output power of 106 Watts. Its footprint covered Japan and its surrounding island.[3]
History
Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) was founded in 1993 to broadcast by satellite the analog signals of NHK and WOWOW, including analog high definition Hi-Vision channels.[8] In June 1994, it orders two HS-376 satellite from Hughes (now Boeing), BSAT-1a and BSAT-1b.[3]
During 1997 B-SAT completed its Kawaguchi and Kimitsu satellite control centers. At 23:08:44 UTC, 16 April 1997 the Ariane-44LP flight V-95 successfully launched BSAT-1a, along Thaicom 3, from Kourou ELA-2 launch pad.[2][10] On 1 August 1997, BSAT-1b entered into commercial service.[7]
During May 2005, B-SAT ordered BSAT-3a, the replacement satellite for BSAT-1a and BSAT-1b. It was successfully launched in August 2007, and accepted into the fleet the next month. During November, 2007 BSAT-3a took over the broadcasting of analog and digital signals from BSAT-1a and BSAT-1b. On 3 August 2010, BSAT-1a was placed in a graveyard orbit and decommissioned.[7][11]
References
- ^ "BSAT 1A". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ a b "BSAT 1A". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g "BSAT-1". Boeing Satellite Development Center. Archived from the original on 7 February 2010. Retrieved 2016-09-09.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ a b McDowell, Jonathan. "Geostationary Orbit Catalog". Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ "BSAT-1A Satellite details 1997-016B NORAD 24769". N2YO. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
- ^ a b c "Milestones". Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation. Archived from the original on 8 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ a b "Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT)". Global Security. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ "Space Japan Milestone – Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT)" (PDF). Space Japan Review (English Version) (36). AIAA JFSC. September 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- ^ a b c d Krebs, Gunter Dirk (9 September 2016). "BSat 1a, 1b". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
- ^ Hattori, Yoshihito (January 2008). "Report – Trends in Satellite Broadcasting" (PDF). Space Japan Review (English Version) (53). AIAA JFSC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
