JCSAT-4A, designated JCSAT-6 before launch, is a Japanese geostationary communications satellite which is operated by JSAT Corporation (now SKY Perfect JSAT Group). It is positioned in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 124° East, from where it is used to provide broadcasting and corporate network communications to Japan.[1]
| Names | JCSAT-6 (order to Feb 1999) JCSAT-4A (Feb 1999 onward) |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | SKY Perfect JSAT Group |
| COSPAR ID | 1999-006A |
| SATCAT no. | 25630 |
| Mission duration | 14.5 years (planned) 25 years, 3 months and 7 days (elasped) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | JCSAT-6 |
| Spacecraft type | JCSAT |
| Bus | HS-601 |
| Manufacturer | Hughes |
| Launch mass | 2,900 kilograms (6,400 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 16 February 1999, 01:45:26 UTC |
| Rocket | Atlas IIAS (AC-152) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, LC-36A |
| Contractor | International Launch Services (ILS) |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 124° East |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 32 Ku band |
| Coverage area | Japan |
Spacecraft description edit
JCSAT-6 was constructed by Hughes, based on the HS-601 satellite bus. It is equipped with 32 Ku-band transponders, and at launch it had a mass of 2,900 kg (6,400 lb), with an expected operational lifespan of fourteen and a half years.[2][3]
Launch edit
It was launched atop an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle flying from Launch Complex 36A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The launch occurred at 01:45:26 UTC on 16 February 1999,[4] and successfully placed JCSAT-6 into a geostationary transfer orbit. From this orbit, the satellite raised itself into a geostationary orbit using an R-4D apogee motor.[5] The final burn to complete its insertion into geosynchronous orbit occurred on 1 March 1999.[6]
See also edit
References edit
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