BSAT-4a is a geostationary communications satellite ordered by Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (BSAT) and designed and manufactured by SSL on the SSL 1300 platform, to be stationed on the 110.0° East orbital slot for direct television broadcasting of 4K and 8K Ultra HD resolutions.[2][3][4] It was launched on 29 September 2017.[5]

BSAT-4a
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorB-SAT
COSPAR ID2017-059B Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.42951
Website[1] (Japanese)
Mission duration15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftBSAT-4a
Spacecraft typeBSAT
BusSSL 1300
ManufacturerSpace Systems/Loral
Launch mass3500 kg
Start of mission
Launch date29 September 2017, 21:56 UTC[1]
RocketAriane 5 ECA
Launch siteGuiana Space Center ELA-3
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude110.0° East (Planned)
Transponders
Band24 Ku-band
Coverage areaJapan
← BSAT-3c
BSAT-4b →

Satellite description

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BSAT-4a was designed and manufactured by SSL on the SSL 1300 satellite bus for BSAT. It has an estimated launch mass of 3,500 kilograms (7,700 lb) with a 15-year design life.[2][6][4]

It has a single Ku-band payload with 24 transponders, and covers Japan with 4K and 8K Ultra HD television satellite service.[2][3]

History

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On 18 June 2015, BSAT ordered the first of its fourth generation satellites from SSL, BSAT-4a. It was expected to be weight around 3,500 kilograms (7,700 lb), have 24 Ku-band transponders with a 15-year design life. It was launched on 29 September 2017.[1] It was planned that 4K and 8K signals would be broadcast by summer 2020.[3]

In September 2015, BSAT contracted Arianespace for an Ariane 5 ECA launch service,[4][2]and received a preliminary license for broadcasting 4K and 8K Ultra HD.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b Ariane 5 rocket deploys satellites for Intelsat and B-SAT
  2. ^ a b c d Krebs, Gunter Dirk (6 September 2016). "BSat 3a, 3b". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "放送衛星3機のスペック" [Specifications of the three broadcasting satellites] (in Japanese). Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "Arianespace to launch BSAT-4a, marking its 30th commercial GEO satellite launch contract for Japan". 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  5. ^ Ford, Dominic (1 August 2018). "BSAT-4A". In-The-Sky.org.
  6. ^ "SSL selected to provide direct broadcasting satellite to B-SAT". 18 June 2015. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  7. ^ "Milestones". Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.