JCSAT-3A

JCSAT-3A, known as JCSAT-10 before launch, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100 platform.^[4][1]

JCSAT-10 → JCSAT-3A

Names	JCSAT-10 (Apr 2004 to Aug 2006) JCSAT-3A (Aug 2006 onward)
Mission type	Communication
Operator	SKY Perfect JSAT Group
COSPAR ID	2006-033A[1]
SATCAT no.	29272
Website	http://www.jsat.net/en/contour/jcsat-3a.html
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	JCSAT-10
Bus	A2100AX
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Launch mass	4,048 kg (8,924 lb)
Dimensions	27 m × 9 m (89 ft × 30 ft) with solar panels and antennas deployed.
Start of mission
Launch date	22:14, August 11, 2006 (UTC) (2006-08-11T22:14:00Z)[2][3]
Rocket	Ariane 5 ECA
Launch site	GSC ELA-3
Contractor	Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Regime	GEO
Longitude	128°East
Transponders
Band	18 × 27 Mhz and 12 × 36 MHz Ku band 12 × 36 MHz C band
Bandwidth	1,350 MHz
TWTA power	Ku band 127 W C band 48 W
JSAT ← JCSAT-5A JCSAT-11 →

Satellite description

The spacecraft was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100AX satellite bus. It had a launch mass of 4,048 kg (8,924 lb) and a 15-year design life. It would provide communications services throughout Japan and Asia.^[4] As most satellites based on the A2100 platform, it uses a 460 N (100 lb_f) LEROS-1C LAE for orbit raising.^[4] Its solar panels span 26.9 m (88 ft) when fully deployed and, with its antennas in fully extended configuration it is 8.6 m (28 ft) wide.^[5]

Its payload is composed of eighteen 27 MHz and twelve 36 MHz K_u band plus twelve C band transponders, for a total bandwidth of 1,350 MHz.^[6] Its high-power amplifiers had an output power of 127 Watts on K_u band and　48 Watts on C band.^[5]

History

On April 20, 2004, JSAT ordered a satellite from Lockheed Martin, JCSAT-10. Based on the A2100AX platform, it would have a C band and K_u band payload and was expected to occupy the 128°East slot after its planned 2006 launch.^[7]

On August 11, 2006, an Ariane 5 ECA launched JCSAT-10 along Syracuse-3B into a transfer orbit. Upon successful deployment at 128°East longitude, it was renamed JCSAT-3A.^[4]