Superbird-B2

Superbird-B2, also known by its pre-launch designation Superbird-4, is a Japanese communications satellite which is operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group. It was originally built and launched for the Space Communications Corporation (SCC), which merged with JSAT Corporation (JSAT) in October 2008.^[3] It was constructed by Hughes Space and Communications and is based on the HS-601 HP satellite bus.

Superbird-B2

Names	Superbird-4
Mission type	Communications
Operator	Space Communications Corporation / SKY Perfect JSAT
COSPAR ID	2000-012A
SATCAT no.	26095
Mission duration	13 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Superbird-4
Spacecraft type	Superbird
Bus	HS-601 HP
Manufacturer	Hughes Space and Communications
Launch mass	4,057 kg (8,944 lb) [1]
Dry mass	2,460 kg (5,420 lb)
Power	5.5 kW
Start of mission
Launch date	18 February 2000, 01:04 UTC
Rocket	Ariane 44LP H10-3 (V127)
Launch site	Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
Contractor	Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Geostationary orbit
Longitude	162° East
Transponders
Band	29 transponders:[2] 23 Ku-band 6 Ka-band
Coverage area	Japan
Superbird constellation ← Superbird-C Superbird-D →

Satellite

Space Communications Corporation (SCC) of Tokyo, Japan, ordered its second spacecraft from Hughes Space and Communications (HSC), on 6 April 1998.^[2] It was built at the Los Angeles plant, California, United States.

Launch

Launch occurred on 18 February 2000, at 01:04 UTC.^[4] The launch was contracted by Arianespace, and used an Ariane 44LP H10-3 launch vehicle flying from ELA-2 at the Centre Spatial Guyanais. Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 162° East, from where it provides communications services to Japan. It is equipped with thirty five transponders. Currently, the J-Alert (Japanese emergency warning system) is broadcast via Superbird-B2.^[1]