JCSAT-4A

JCSAT-4A, designated JCSAT-6 before launch, is a Japanese geostationary communications satellite which is operated by JSAT Corporation (now SKY Perfect JSAT Group). It is positioned in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 124° East, from where it is used to provide broadcasting and corporate network communications to Japan.^[1]

JCSAT-4A

Names	JCSAT-6 (order to Feb 1999) JCSAT-4A (Feb 1999 onward)
Mission type	Communications
Operator	SKY Perfect JSAT Group
COSPAR ID	1999-006A
SATCAT no.	25630
Mission duration	14.5 years (planned) 26 years, 3 months and 13 days (elasped)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	JCSAT-6
Spacecraft type	JCSAT
Bus	HS-601
Manufacturer	Hughes
Launch mass	2,900 kilograms (6,400 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date	16 February 1999, 01:45:26 UTC
Rocket	Atlas IIAS (AC-152)
Launch site	Cape Canaveral, LC-36A
Contractor	International Launch Services (ILS)
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Geostationary orbit
Longitude	124° East
Transponders
Band	32 Ku band
Coverage area	Japan
JCSAT constellation ← JCSAT-1B JCSAT-110 →

Spacecraft description

JCSAT-6 was constructed by Hughes, based on the HS-601 satellite bus. It is equipped with 32 Ku-band transponders, and at launch it had a mass of 2,900 kg (6,400 lb), with an expected operational lifespan of fourteen and a half years.^[2][3]

Launch

It was launched atop an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle flying from Launch Complex 36A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The launch occurred at 01:45:26 UTC on 16 February 1999,^[4] and successfully placed JCSAT-6 into a geostationary transfer orbit. From this orbit, the satellite raised itself into a geostationary orbit using an R-4D apogee motor.^[5] The final burn to complete its insertion into geosynchronous orbit occurred on 1 March 1999.^[6]

See also

• Spaceflight portal

• 1999 in spaceflight