Superbird-B2
{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = Superbird-B2
| names_list = Superbird-4
| image =
| image_caption =
| image_size = 300px
| mission_type = Communications
| operator = Space Communications Corporation /
SKY Perfect JSAT
| COSPAR_ID = 2000-012A
| SATCAT = 26095
| website =
| mission_duration = 13 years (planned)
| spacecraft = Superbird-4
| spacecraft_type = Superbird
| spacecraft_bus = HS-601 HP
| manufacturer = Hughes Space and Communications
| launch_mass = {{cvt|4057|kg}}
| dry_mass = {{cvt|2460|kg}}
| dimensions =
| power = 5.5 kW
| launch_date = 18 February 2000, 01:04 UTC
| launch_rocket = Ariane 44LP H10-3 (V127)
| launch_site = Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
| launch_contractor = Arianespace
| entered_service =
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| last_contact =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit
| orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit
| orbit_longitude = 162° East
| apsis = gee
| trans_band = 29 transponders:
23 Ku-band
6 Ka-band
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth =
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage = Japan
| trans_TWTA =
| insignia =
| insignia_caption =
| insignia_size = 200px
| programme = Superbird constellation
| previous_mission = Superbird-C
| next_mission = Superbird-D
}}
Superbird-B2, also known by its pre-launch designation Superbird-4, is a Japanese communications satellite which is operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group. It was originally built and launched for the Space Communications Corporation (SCC), which merged with JSAT Corporation (JSAT) in October 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.sptvjsat.com/en/business/satellite/list/superbird_b2.html|publisher=JSAT Corporation|title=Superbird-B2|access-date=21 March 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091128125152/http://www.sptvjsat.com/en/business/satellite/list/superbird_b2.html|archive-date=28 November 2009}} It was constructed by Hughes Space and Communications and is based on the HS-601 HP satellite bus.
Satellite
Space Communications Corporation (SCC) of Tokyo, Japan, ordered its second spacecraft from Hughes Space and Communications (HSC), on 6 April 1998.{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v127/index.html|title=Ariane 4 rocket launches Japan's Superbird 4|publisher=Spaceflight Now|first=Justin|last=Ray|date=18 February 2000 |access-date=21 March 2021}} It was built at the Los Angeles plant, California, United States.
Launch
Launch occurred on 18 February 2000, at 01:04 UTC.{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.421|title=Issue 421|publisher=Jonathan's Space Report |first=Jonathan|last=McDowell|date=29 February 2000|access-date=21 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608005743/http://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.421|archive-date=8 June 2011|url-status=dead}} The launch was contracted by Arianespace, and used an Ariane 44LP H10-3 launch vehicle flying from ELA-2 at the Centre Spatial Guyanais. Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 162° East, from where it provides communications services to Japan. It is equipped with thirty five transponders. Currently, the J-Alert (Japanese emergency warning system) is broadcast via Superbird-B2.{{cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/superbird-4.htm|title=Superbird 4 (Superbird B2)|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|date=11 December 2017|access-date=21 March 2021}}
References
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{{Superbird}}
{{Orbital launches in 2000}}
Category:Communications satellites in geostationary orbit
Category:Satellites using the BSS-601 bus
Category:Spacecraft launched in 2000