JCSAT-4A
{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = JCSAT-4A
| names_list = JCSAT-6 (order to Feb 1999)
JCSAT-4A (Feb 1999 onward)
| image =
| image_caption =
| image_size = 300px
| mission_type = Communications
| operator = SKY Perfect JSAT Group
| COSPAR_ID = 1999-006A
| SATCAT = 25630
| website =
| mission_duration = 14.5 years (planned)
{{time interval|February 16, 1999 01:45:26}} (elasped)
| spacecraft = JCSAT-6
| spacecraft_type = JCSAT
| spacecraft_bus = HS-601
| manufacturer = Hughes
| launch_mass = {{convert|2900|kg}}
| dry_mass =
| dimensions =
| power =
| launch_date = 16 February 1999, 01:45:26 UTC
| launch_rocket = Atlas IIAS (AC-152)
| launch_site = Cape Canaveral, LC-36A
| launch_contractor = International Launch Services (ILS)
| entered_service =
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit
| orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit
| orbit_longitude = 124° East
| apsis = gee
| trans_band = 32 Ku band
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth =
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage = Japan
| trans_TWTA =
| insignia =
| insignia_caption =
| insignia_size = 200px
| programme = JCSAT constellation
| previous_mission = JCSAT-1B
| next_mission = JCSAT-110
}}
JCSAT-4A, designated JCSAT-6 before launch, is a Japanese geostationary communications satellite which is operated by JSAT Corporation (now SKY Perfect JSAT Group). It is positioned in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 124° East, from where it is used to provide broadcasting and corporate network communications to Japan.{{cite web |url=http://www.sptvjsat.com/en/business/satellite/list/jcsat_4a.html|title=JCSAT-4A|publisher=Sky Perfect JSAT|access-date=2009-08-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713034304/http://www.sptvjsat.com/en/business/satellite/list/jcsat_4a.html|archive-date=2009-07-13}}
Spacecraft description
JCSAT-6 was constructed by Hughes, based on the HS-601 satellite bus. It is equipped with 32 Ku-band transponders, and at launch it had a mass of {{cvt|2900|kg}}, with an expected operational lifespan of fourteen and a half years.{{cite web|url=http://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear_weapons_and_global_security/space_weapons/technical_issues/ucs-satellite-database.html|title=UCS Satellite Database|publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists|date=2009-07-01|access-date=2009-08-08}}{{cite web |url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/jcsat-5.htm|title=JCSat 5, 6|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=2009-08-08}}
Launch
It was launched atop an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle flying from Launch Complex 36A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The launch occurred at 01:45:26 UTC on 16 February 1999,{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt|title=Launch Log|last=McDowell |first=Jonathan|publisher=Jonathan's Space Report|date=14 March 2021|access-date=20 March 2021}} and successfully placed JCSAT-6 into a geostationary transfer orbit. From this orbit, the satellite raised itself into a geostationary orbit using an R-4D apogee motor.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/project/jcsat.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020829020459/http://astronautix.com/project/jcsat.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 August 2002|title=JCSAT|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|last=Wade |first=Mark|access-date=2009-08-08}} The final burn to complete its insertion into geosynchronous orbit occurred on 1 March 1999.{{cite web |url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/geo.date|title=Index|work=Geostationary Orbit Catalog|last=McDowell|first=Jonathan|publisher=Jonathan's Space Report|access-date=2009-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406015538/http://www.planet4589.org/space/log/geo.date|archive-date=2010-04-06|url-status=dead}}
See also
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Orbital launches in 1999}}
{{JCSAT}}
Category:Spacecraft launched in 1999
Category:Satellites using the BSS-601 bus
Category:Communications satellites of Japan
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