BSAT-4a
BSAT-4a is a geostationary communications satellite ordered by Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (BSAT) and designed and manufactured by SSL on the SSL 1300 platform. It is expected to be stationed on the 110.0° East orbital slot for direct television broadcasting of 4K and 8K Ultra HD resolutions.[2][3][4]
| Mission type | Communication | 
|---|---|
| Operator | B-SAT | 
| COSPAR ID | 2017-059B | 
| SATCAT no. | 42951 | 
| Website | (Japanese) | 
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) | 
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | BSAT-4a | 
| Spacecraft type | BSAT | 
| Bus | SSL 1300 | 
| Manufacturer | Space Systems/Loral | 
| Launch mass | 3500 kg | 
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 29 September 2017, 21:56 UTC[1] | 
| Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA | 
| Launch site | Guiana Space Center ELA-3 | 
| Contractor | Arianespace | 
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit | 
| Regime | Geostationary orbit | 
| Longitude | 110.0° East (Planned) | 
| Transponders | |
| Band | 24 Ku-band | 
| Coverage area | Japan | 
Satellite description
    
BSAT-4a was designed and manufactured by SSL on the SSL 1300 satellite bus for BSAT. It has an estimated launch mass of 3,500 kilograms (7,700 lb) with a 15-year design life.[2][5][4]
It will have a single Ku-band payload with 24 transponders. It will cover Japan with 4K and 8K Ultra HD television satellite service.[2][3]
History
    
On 18 June 2015, BSAT ordered the first of its fourth generation satellites from SSL, BSAT-4a. It was expected to be weight around 3,500 kilograms (7,700 lb), have 24 Ku-band transponders with a 15-year design life. It was launched on 29 September 2017.[1] It was planned, too, that commercial broadcasting of 4K and 8K signals would begin, and have full broadcast of Tokyo 2020 Olympics with that resolution.[3]
On 14 September 2015 of the same year, BSAT contracted Arianespace for an Ariane 5 ECA launch service.[4][2] During the same month of September BSAT received a preliminary license for broadcasting 4K and 8K Ultra HD.[6]
References
    
- Ariane 5 rocket deploys satellites for Intelsat and B-SAT
- Krebs, Gunter Dirk (6 September 2016). "BSat 3a, 3b". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- "放送衛星3機のスペック" [Specifications of the three broadcasting satellites] (in Japanese). Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- "Arianespace to launch BSAT-4a, marking its 30th commercial GEO satellite launch contract for Japan". 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- "SSL selected to provide direct broadcasting satellite to B-SAT". 18 June 2015. Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
- "Milestones". Archived from the original on 9 September 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2016.