JCSAT-110 explained

JCSAT-110
Names List:N-SAT 110 (Nov 1998 to Oct 2000)
JCSAT-7 (Nov 1998 to Oct 2000)
JCSAT-110 (Oct 2000 onward)
Superbird-5 (Nov 1998 to Oct 2000)
Superbird-D (Oct 2000 to Oct 2008)
Mission Type:Communications
Operator:SKY Perfect JSAT Group
Cospar Id:2000-060A
Satcat:26559
Website:JSAT official page
Mission Duration:13 years (planned)
Spacecraft:JCSAT-110
Spacecraft Type:JCSAT
Spacecraft Bus:A2100-AX
Manufacturer:Lockheed Martin Space
Power:8.3 kW
Launch Date:6 October 2000, 23:00 UTC
Launch Rocket:Ariane 42L H10-3
Launch Site:Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
Launch Contractor:Arianespace
Orbit Reference:Geocentric orbit
Orbit Regime:Geostationary orbit
Orbit Longitude:110° East
Apsis:gee
Trans Band:24 Ku-band × 36 MHz transponders
Trans Bandwidth:864 MHz
Trans Coverage:Japan
Trans Twta:120 watts
Insignia Size:200px
Programme:Superbird constellation
Previous Mission:Superbird-B2
Next Mission:Superbird-A2

JCSAT-110, also known as N-SAT 110, JCSAT-7, Superbird-5 and Superbird-D, is a Japanese geostationary communications satellite which was operated by JSAT Corporation and Space Communications Corporation until both companies merged into SKY Perfect JSAT Group in 2008. It is positioned in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 110° East, from where it is used to provide communications services to Japan.

Satellite description

The spacecraft was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100-AX satellite bus. It had a launch mass of with a dry mass of and a 13-year design life. As most satellites based on the A2100-AX platform, it uses a LEROS-1C liquid apogee engine (LAE) for orbit raising.

When stowed for launch, the satellite was high. Its dual wing solar panels gave a power generation capability of 8.3 kW at the end of its design life, with a span of when deployed. With antennas deployed, its width was .

Its payload is composed of twenty-four 36 MHz Ku-band transponders with a TWTA output power of 120 watts per channel. With its total bandwidth of 864 GHz, it is used primarily for multi-channel pay per view business.

History

In September 1997, both JCSAT and Space Communications Corporation (SCC) had requested the 110° East position. The Japanese government made both companies share the 110° East position, and thus they both made a joint order on 20 November 1998 for N-SAT 110 from Lockheed Martin. JCSAT used the JCSAT-7 designation for this satellite, while SCC used Superbird-5.

On 6 October 2000 at 23:00 UTC, an Ariane-42L H10-3 successfully launched N-SAT 110 to a geostationary transfer orbit from Centre Spatial Guyanais ELA-2. One hour later, at 00:04 UTC, on 7 October 2000, the first signals from the satellite were successfully received from the Australia ground station. On 14 October 2000, at around 03:00 UTC, N-SAT 110 reached the geostationary orbit. Once it was put into orbit, it was renamed as JCSAT-110 by JCSAT and Superbird-D by SCC.

On 1 October 2008, JSAT Corporation and Space Communications Corporation merged into SKY Perfect JSAT Group, and the satellite was known simply as JCSAT-110.

See also