Superbird-A1

Superbird-A
Mission type Communication
Operator Space Systems/Loral
COSPAR ID 1992-084A[1]
SATCAT № 22253
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft Superbird-A1
Bus SSL 1300
Manufacturer Ford Aerospace
Launch mass 2,780 kg (6,130 lb)
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)
Power 4 kW
Start of mission
Launch date 22:48:00, December 1, 1992 (1992-12-01T22:48:00)[2]
Rocket Ariane-42P
Launch site Kourou ELA-2
Contractor Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Inclined geosynchronous
Semi-major axis 42,491 km
Perigee 36,053.0 km
Apogee 36,187.7 km
Inclination 8.2°
Period 1,452.8 minutes
Epoch 2016-08-19 00:00:00UTC[3]
Transponders
Band 14 Ku band and 30 Ka band[4]
Superbird
← Superbird-B1 Superbird-C →

Superbird-A1, also identified as Superbird-1A 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.[5] It had a mixed Ku band and Ka band payload and operated on the 158°E longitude.[1][6]

It was ordered in 1985 along Superbird-B, Superbird-A1 and Superbird-B1 on the very first order of the SSL 1300 platform.[6][7][8][9]

Satellite description

The spacecraft was the fourth 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.[6][7][8][9]

It had a launch mass of 2,780 kg (6,130 lb) and a 10-year design life.[1][4] 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 3,984 W of power thanks to two wings with three solar panels each.[1][6] It also a NiH2 battery to survive the solar eclipses. It would serve as the main satellite on the 158°E longitude position of the Superbird.[1][6]

Its propulsion system included an R-4D-11 LAE with a thrust of 490 N (110 lbf).[6] It included enough propellant for orbit circularization and 10 years of operation.[6]

Its payload is composed of 14 Ku band plus 30 Ka band transponders.[4]

History

Space Communications Corporation (SCC) was founded in 1985, the same year as the original companies that later formed JSAT.[10] On 1986 SCC ordered four spacecrafts, Superbird-1, Superbird-2, Superbird-A1 and Superbird-B1 from Ford Aerospace, which became Space Systems/Loral on October 1990.[8]

On December 1, 1992 at 22:37:18 UTC Superbird-A1, was launched aboard an Ariane 42P.[6] It was injected into a 192 km × 35,990 km × 7° geosynchronous transfer orbit, from which it climbed through three liquid apogee engine firings.[1] It was positioned in its 158°East longitude position where it was integrated to the Superbird-A communication network.[6][11][12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Superbird A1". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  2. ↑ "Superbird A1". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  3. ↑ "SUPERBIRD A1". n2yo.com. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  4. 1 2 3 "Superbird A1". Satbeams. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  5. ↑ "Superbird-1, -2". SSL. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Krebs, Gunter Dirk (2016-08-19). "Superbird A, A1, B, B1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
  7. 1 2 "Industry Pioneer Marks Milestone, Continues to Lead in Providing High-Power Commercial Satellites, Helping Operators Meet Business Objectives". SSL. July 17, 2007. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  8. 1 2 3 "Awards & Launch History - 1300 Bus Satellites". SSL. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  9. 1 2 "Celebrating Fifty Years of Satellite Innovation". SSL. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  10. ↑ "History". SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings Inc. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  11. ↑ "Superbird". Global Security. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  12. ↑ Wade, Mark. "Ariane 42P". Encyclopaedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
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