BSAT-3a
{{Short description|Japanese satellite}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = BSAT-3a
| names_list =
| image =
| image_caption =
| mission_type = Communication
| operator = B-SAT
| SATCAT = 32019
| website = [http://www.b-sat.co.jp/broadcasting-satellite/ B-SAT Satellite Fleet]
| mission_duration = 13 years (planned)
| spacecraft = BSAT-3a
| spacecraft_type =
| spacecraft_bus = A2100
| manufacturer = Lockheed Martin
| launch_mass = 1980 kg
| dimensions = {{convert|3.8|x|1.9|x|1.9|m}}
| launch_date = 14 August 2007, 23:44:07 UTC
| launch_rocket = Ariane 5 ECA (VA-177)
| launch_site = Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3
| launch_contractor = Arianespace
| entered_service = 1 October 2007
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| destroyed =
| last_contact =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit
| orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit
| orbit_longitude = 110.0° East
| apsis = gee
| trans_band = 8 (plus 4 spares) Ku-band
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth =
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage = Japan
| trans_TWTA = 130 watts
| trans_EIRP =
| trans_HPBW =
| programme = B-SAT
| previous_mission = BSAT-2c
| next_mission = BSAT-3b
}}
BSAT-3a, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) which was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100 platform. It is stationed on the 110,0° East orbital slot with its companion BSAT-3b and BSAT-3c from where they provide redundant high definition direct television broadcasting across Japan.
History
On 27 April 2005, Lockheed Martin announced that it had been granted by B-SAT an authorisation to proceed to the construction of its first third generation broadcasting satellite, BSAT-3a. On 18 May 2005, both companies announced the signature of the definitive contract for the satellite. It would be based on the A2100 platform, sport eight 130 watts Ku-band transponders (plus 4 spares), have a design life of 13 years and have a 1.8 kW power generation capability. It was expected launch in the second quarter of 2007 to be co-located at the 110.0° East orbital position. On 15 June 2005, Arianespace announced that it had been awarded the launch contract for BSAT-3a.
Satellite description
BSAT-3a was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100 satellite bus for B-SAT. It had a launch mass of {{convert|1980|kg}}, a dry mass of {{convert|927|kg}}, and a 13-year design life. As most satellites based on the A2100 platform, it uses a {{convert|460|N}} LEROS-1C LAE for orbit raising.
It measured {{convert|3.8|x|1.9|x|1.9|m}} when stowed for launch. Its dual wing solar panels can generate 2.8 kW of power at the end of its design life, and span {{convert|14.65|m}} when fully deployed.
It has a single Ku-band payload with 8 active transponders plus four spares with a TWTA output power of 130 watts.
Launch
On 19 June 2007, Lockheed announced that it was poised to deliver BSAT-3a on the third quarter of 2007, with another Japanese spacecraft, JCSAT-11. BSAT-3a was the sixth broadcasting satellite procured by B-SAT.
On 10 August 2007, Lockheed announced that BSAT-3a was mated to the launcher and ready for its ride to orbit. It launched at 23:44 UTC, on 14 August 2007 aboard an Ariane 5 ECA from Centre Spatial Guyanais ELA-3 launch pad. It rode on the lower berth under the SYLDA with Spaceway-3. The first signals from the satellite were received one hour later, at 00:46 UTC on 15 August 2007. It also marked the 33rd launch of the A2100 platform.
It was entered into service on 1 October 2007 after successfully passing the on-orbit deployment and checkout phase.
References
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
{{Reflist|2|refs=
{{cite web|url=http://www.space-airbusds.com/en/launch-kits/flight-177-ariane-5-%E2%80%93-satellites-spaceway-3-bsat-3a--kuq.html|title=Flight 177: Ariane 5 – Satellites: SPACEWAY 3 and BSAT-3A|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906140802/http://www.space-airbusds.com/en/launch-kits/flight-177-ariane-5-%E2%80%93-satellites-spaceway-3-bsat-3a--kuq.html|archive-date=2016-09-06|publisher=Airbus|date=August 9, 2007|access-date=2016-09-05}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.arianespace.com/site/news/kit/SPACEWAY3_BSAT3a_GB.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927022841/http://www.arianespace.com/site/news/kit/SPACEWAY3_BSAT3a_GB.pdf|archive-date=2007-09-27|title=Launch Kit V-177|publisher=Arianespace|format=PDF|date=August 7, 2007|access-date=2016-09-06}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/58804/ariane-to-launch-japan's-bsat3a-satellite-(jun-16).html|title=Arianespace Will Launch BSAT-3A for Japan|website=defense-aerospace.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906151558/http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/58804/ariane-to-launch-japan%27s-bsat3a-satellite-%28jun-16%29.html|archive-date=2016-09-06|date=Jun 15, 2005|publisher=Arianespace|access-date=2016-09-06|url-status=dead}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.b-sat.co.jp/broadcasting-satellite/#popup|title=放送衛星3機のスペック|trans-title=Specifications of the three broadcasting satellites|publisher=Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation|access-date=2016-09-06}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2005/04/27/b-sat-awards-lockheed-martin-authorization-proceed-a2100-small-class-satellite/|title=B-SAT awards Lockheed Martin Authorisation To Proceed on A2100 small-class satellite|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906142346/http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2005/04/27/b-sat-awards-lockheed-martin-authorization-proceed-a2100-small-class-satellite/|archive-date=2016-09-06|publisher=Lockheed Martin Space Systems|website=Icaa.eu|date=April 27, 2005|access-date=2016-09-06}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2005/05/18/b-sat-awards-lockheed-martin-contract-a2100-small-class-satellite/|title=B-SAT awards Lockheed Martin contract for A2100 small-class satellite|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906150613/http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2007/06/19/lockheed-martin-set-deliver-bsat-3a-jcsat-11-spacecraft-3rd-quarter-2007/|archive-date=2016-09-06|publisher=Lockheed Martin Space Systems|website=Icaa.eu|date=May 18, 2005|access-date=2016-09-06}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2007/06/19/lockheed-martin-set-deliver-bsat-3a-jcsat-11-spacecraft-3rd-quarter-2007/|title=Lockheed Martin Set To Deliver BSAT-3a And JCSAT-11 Spacecraft In 3rd Quarter Of 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906142411/http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2005/05/18/b-sat-awards-lockheed-martin-contract-a2100-small-class-satellite/ |archive-date=2016-09-06|publisher=Lockheed Martin Space Systems|website=Icaa.eu|date=June 19, 2007|access-date=2016-09-06}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2007/08/10/lockheed-martin-built-bsat-3a-satellite-ready-for-launch/|title=Lockheed Martin-Built BSAT-3a Satellite Ready For Launch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906150616/http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2007/08/10/lockheed-martin-built-bsat-3a-satellite-ready-for-launch/|archive-date=2016-09-06|publisher=Lockheed Martin Space Systems|website=Icaa.eu|date=August 10, 2007|access-date=2016-09-06}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2007/08/14/lockheed-martin-marks-33rd-consecutive-a2100-success-launch-bsat-3a-satellite/|title=Lockheed Martin Marks 33rd Consecutive A2100 Success With The Launch Of BSAT-3a Satellite|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906150617/http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2007/08/14/lockheed-martin-marks-33rd-consecutive-a2100-success-launch-bsat-3a-satellite/|archive-date=2016-09-06|publisher=Lockheed Martin Space Systems|website=Icaa.eu|date=August 14, 2007|access-date=2016-09-06}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2007/10/01/lockheed-martin-built-bsat-3a-satellite-begins-service-b-sat-customers/|title=Lockheed Martin-Built BSAT-3a Satellite Begins Service For B-SAT Customers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906150620/http://www.icaa.eu/lockheed-martin/2007/10/01/lockheed-martin-built-bsat-3a-satellite-begins-service-b-sat-customers/|archive-date=2016-09-06|publisher=Lockheed Martin Space Systems|website=Icaa.eu|date=October 1, 2007|access-date=2016-09-06}}
}}
{{BSAT satellites}}
{{Orbital launches in 2007}}
Category:Communications satellites in geostationary orbit
Category:Satellites using the A2100 bus
Category:Spacecraft launched in 2007