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BSat 2a, 2b
BSat 2a [OSC]
In November 1998, following an open international competition, Japan's Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) selected Orbital to construct and launch two geosynchronous direct-to-home TV broadcast satellites. The BSAT-2a and -2b satellites were designed to provide direct-to-home digital high-definition television throughout Japan, relaying channels at higher resolution and in a wider-screen format than traditional analog systems.
BSAT-2a was launched in March 2001 and is providing broadcasting service. Upon completion of checkout, systems were functioning nominally. BSAT-2b, which was launched in July 2001, and intended to serve as on-orbit backup, was placed into an unusable incorrect orbit by an Ariane 5 rocket.
In another vote of confidence in Orbital's ability to deliver reliable, cost-effective GEO satellites, B-SAT awarded Orbital the contract for the slightly modified BSAT-2c, the replacement for BSAT-2b, in September 2001.
| Nation: | Japan |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Communication |
| Operator: | Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) |
| Contractors: | Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) |
| Equipment: | 4 active high-power Ku-band transponders |
| Configuration: | Star-1 |
| Propulsion: | Star-30CBP |
| Power: | 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries |
| Lifetime: | 10-years (fueled for over 11.5 years) |
| Mass: | 1292 kg |
| Orbit: | GEO |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSat 2a | 2001-011B | 08.03.2001 | Ko ELA-3 | Ariane-5G | with Eurobird 1 | |
| BSat 2b | 2001-029B | 12.07.2001 | Ko ELA-3 | P | Ariane-5G | with Artemis |
References:
- Orbital Sciences Corp.: BSAT
- BSat 1a, 1b [HS-376]
- BSat 2a, 2b [Star-1]
- BSat 2c [Star-1]
- BSat 3a, 3b [A2100A]
- BSat 3c [A2100A]
- BSat 4a, 4b [SSL-1300]
