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GEO Satellite
succesfull
Launch date
11 June 2003
Country
Purpose
Communication
Position
110° East
Manufacturer
Operator
Launch operator
Launch vehicle
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
succesfull
GEO Satellite
succesfull