Summary
Superbird-A1, also identified as Superbird-1A before launch, was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Ford Aerospace (now Space Systems/Loral) on the SSL 1300 satellite bus. 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° East longitude.[1][6]
| Names | Superbird-1A |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | Space Systems/Loral |
| COSPAR ID | 1992-084A [1] |
| SATCAT no. | 22253 |
| Mission duration | 10 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Superbird-A1 |
| Spacecraft type | Superbird |
| 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 panels extended: 20.3 m (67 ft) |
| Power | 4 kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 1 December 1992, 22:48:00 UTC[2] |
| Rocket | Ariane-42P H10+ |
| Launch site | Cebtre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit[3] |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 158° East |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 14 Ku-band 30 Ka-band[4] |
| Coverage area | Japan |
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 edit
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 4 kW of power due 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 liquid apogee engine (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 edit
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 spacecraft, Superbird-1, Superbird-2, Superbird-A1 and Superbird-B1 from Ford Aerospace, which became Space Systems/Loral in October 1990.[8]
On 1 December 1992 at 22:48:00 UTC Superbird-A1, was launched aboard an Ariane 42P.[6] It was injected into a 192 km × 35,990 km × 7° geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), from which it climbed through three liquid apogee engine (LEA) firings.[1] It was positioned in its 158° East longitude position where it was integrated to the Superbird communication network.[6][11][12]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f "Display: Superbird A1 1992-084A". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Trajectory: Superbird A1 1992-084A". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "SUPERBIRD A1". N2YO.com. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ a b c "Superbird A1". Satbeams. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Superbird-1, -2". SSL (company). Archived from the original on 22 July 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Krebs, Gunter (19 August 2016). "Superbird A, A1, B, B1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ^ a b "Industry Pioneer Marks Milestone, Continues to Lead in Providing High-Power Commercial Satellites, Helping Operators Meet Business Objectives". SSL (company). 17 July 2007. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ a b c "Awards & Launch History - 1300 Bus Satellites". SSL (company). Archived from the original on 12 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ a b "Celebrating Fifty Years of Satellite Innovation". SSL (company). Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "History". SKY Perfect JSAT. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ "Superbird". Global Security. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Ariane 42P". Encyclopaedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
