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GEO Satellite

BSat-2c GEO

succesfull


Launch date

11 June 2003

Country

Japan

Purpose

Communication

Position

110° East

Manufacturer

Orbital ATK

Operator

B-SAT

Launch operator

Arianespace

Launch vehicle

Ariane 5G

Expected lifetime

15 Years

BSAT-2c: Japanese Geostationary Satellite for Digital TV Broadcasting

Overview
BSAT-2c was a geostationary communications satellite operated by Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) of Japan. Built by Orbital Sciences Corporation on the STAR-1 satellite platform, it was designed to deliver high-definition direct-to-home (DTH) television broadcasting across Japan. Positioned at 110° East, BSAT-2c operated alongside BSAT-2a, offering redundant broadcast services.


Launch and Mission Timeline

  • Ordered: October 2001 (to replace the failed BSAT-2b mission)

  • Launched: June 11, 2003, aboard an Ariane 5G rocket from Guiana Space Centre (ELA-3)

  • Commissioned: July 15, 2003

  • Decommissioned: August 2013, moved to graveyard orbit

  • Broadcast Transition: Supported Japan’s shift to digital TV, ending analog broadcasts by July 2011


Technical Specifications

  • Manufacturer: Orbital Sciences Corporation

  • Satellite Bus: STAR-1

  • Launch Mass: 1,275 kg (2,811 lb)

  • Dry Mass: 535 kg (1,179 lb)

  • Design Life: 10 years

  • Power Generation: 2.6 kW via dual solar arrays

  • Dimensions:

    • Stowed: 3.7 × 2.5 × 2.0 m (12.1 × 8.2 × 6.6 ft)

    • Solar Span: 11.5 m (38 ft)

  • Propulsion:

    • Solid rocket Star 30CBP for orbit raising

    • 200 kg of liquid propellant for station keeping

  • Payload:

    • Ku-band transponders: 4 active + 4 spares

    • TWTA output power: 130 Watts per channel


Mission Legacy
BSAT-2c played a crucial role in advancing digital satellite broadcasting in Japan, offering reliable, high-power Ku-band transmission during a pivotal transition period from analog to digital broadcasting. It served as a direct replacement for BSAT-2b, which failed during launch, and extended B-SAT’s capacity for nationwide DTH services.

GEO Satellite

BSat-2c

succesfull


BSat-2c satellite in orbit

GEO Satellite

BSat-2c

succesfull


GEO Satellite

BSat-2c

succesfull