BSAT-4b

BSAT-4b, is a geostationary communications satellite ordered by Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation and designed and manufactured by SSL of Maxar Technologies on the SSL 1300 platform. It is expected to be stationed on the 110.0° East orbital latitude for direct television broadcasting of 4K and 8K Ultra HD television resolutions.^[2][3]

BSAT-4b

Mission type	Direct-to-Home TV services
Operator	B-SAT
COSPAR ID	2020-056A
SATCAT no.	46112
Website	B-SAT (Japanese)
Mission duration	15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	BSAT-4b
Bus	SSL 1300
Manufacturer	Maxar Technologies
Launch mass	3530 kg
Start of mission
Launch date	15 August 2020, 22:04 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
Transponders
Band	24 Ku-band
B-SAT ← BSAT-4a

Satellite description

BSAT-4b was designed and manufactured by SSL, a subsidiary of Maxar Technologies, on the SSL 1300 satellite bus for Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation. It has an estimated launch mass of 3,530 kilograms (7,780 lb) with a 15-year design life.^[2][3][4]

It will have a single K_u-band payload with 24 transponders. It will cover Japan with 4K and 8K Ultra HD television satellite service.^[2]

History

On 24 March 2018, B-SAT ordered the second of its fourth generation satellite from SSL, BSAT-4b. It was expected to be weight around 3,530 kilograms (7,780 lb), have 24 K_u-band transponders with a 15-year design life. At the time, it was expected for a launch in June 2020.^[2][3][4] It was to serve as an backup to BSAT-4a, and enter service before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.^[3]

On 19 April 2018, Arianespace was contracted for an Ariane 5 ECA launch service.^[3] On 1 July 2020, the satellite was delivered to French Guiana inside a container supplied by RUAG Space^[5][6]

Launch

The satellite was launched on 15 August 2020 at 22:04 UTC.^[1]