JCSAT-2A

JCSAT-2A, known as JCSAT-8 before launch, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Boeing Satellite Systems on the BSS-601 platform. It has Ku-band and C-band payload and was used to replace JCSAT-2 at the 154° East longitude. It covers Japan, East Asia, Australia and Hawaii.^[2][3][4]

JCSAT-2A

Names	JCSAT-2A (March 2002 onward) JCSAT-8 (April 2000 to March 2002)
Mission type	Communications
Operator	SKY Perfect JSAT Group
COSPAR ID	2002-015A [1]
SATCAT no.	27399
Website	JSAT official page
Mission duration	11 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	JCSAT-2A
Bus	BSS-601
Manufacturer	Boeing Satellite Systems
Launch mass	2,460 kg (5,420 lb)
Dimensions	21 m × 7.6 m × 4.6 m (69 ft × 25 ft × 15 ft) (with solar panels and antennas deployed)
Power	3.7 kW
Start of mission
Launch date	29 March 2002. 01:29 UTC[1]
Rocket	Ariane 44L H10-3
Launch site	Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
Contractor	Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Geostationary orbit
Longitude	154° East
Transponders
Band	Ku-band: 16 × 57 MHz C-band: 11 × 36 MHz + 5 × 54 MHz
Bandwidth	1,578 MHz
Coverage area	Japan, East Asia, Australia, Hawaii
TWTA power	Ku-band: 120 watts C-band: 34 watts
JSAT ← JCSAT-110 JCSAT-5A →

Satellite description

The spacecraft was designed and manufactured by Boeing Satellite Systems on the BSS-601 satellite bus. It had a launch mass of 2,460 kg (5,420 lb) a power production of 3.7 kW and an 11-year design life.^[2] Stowed for launch it measured 3.6 m × 2.7 m × 4.3 m (11.8 ft × 8.9 ft × 14.1 ft), with its solar panels and antennas deployed it measured 21 m × 4.3 m × 7.6 m (69 ft × 14 ft × 25 ft).^[4][5]

Its payload is composed of sixteen 57 MHz Ku-band plus eleven 36 MHz and five 54 MHz C-band transponders, for a total bandwidth of 1,578 MHz.^[6] Its high-power amplifiers had an output power of 120 watts on Ku-band and 34 watts on C-band.^[4][5]

The Ku-band footprint covers only Japan, while the C-band beams cover Japan, East Asia, Australia and Hawaii.^[4]

History

In April 2000, JSAT ordered JCSAT-8 from Boeing (which had acquired the HS-601 business from Hughes), to replace JCSAT-2 at the 154° East slot. It would provide coverage to Japan, East Asia, Australia and Hawaii.^[2]

An Ariane 44L successfully launched JCSAT-8 on 29 March 2002 at 01:29 UTC from Centre Spatial Guyanais. Once successfully deployed, it was renamed JCSAT-2A.^[2]