Superbird-A1
NamesSuperbird-1A
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorSpace Systems/Loral
COSPAR ID1992-084A [1]
SATCAT no.22253
Mission duration10 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSuperbird-A1
Spacecraft typeSuperbird
BusSSL 1300
ManufacturerFord Aerospace
Launch mass2,780 kg (6,130 lb)
DimensionsStowed: 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)
Power4 kW
Start of mission
Launch date1 December 1992, 22:48:00 UTC[2]
RocketAriane-42P H10+
Launch siteCebtre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[3]
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude158° East
Transponders
Band14 Ku-band
30 Ka-band[4]
Coverage areaJapan
 

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]

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

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

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

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Display: Superbird A1 1992-084A". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ↑ "Trajectory: Superbird A1 1992-084A". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ↑ "SUPERBIRD A1". N2YO.com. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "Superbird A1". Satbeams. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  5. ↑ "Superbird-1, -2". SSL (company). Archived from the original on 22 July 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Krebs, Gunter (19 August 2016). "Superbird A, A1, B, B1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  7. 1 2 "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.
  8. 1 2 3 "Awards & Launch History - 1300 Bus Satellites". SSL (company). Archived from the original on 12 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Celebrating Fifty Years of Satellite Innovation". SSL (company). Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  10. ↑ "History". SKY Perfect JSAT. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  11. ↑ "Superbird". Global Security. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  12. ↑ Wade, Mark. "Ariane 42P". Encyclopaedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
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