Superbird-A1

Superbird-A1, also identified as Superbird-1A before launch, was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Ford Aerospace (now Space Systems/Loral) on the SSL 1300 satellite bus. It was originally ordered by Space Communications Corporation (SCC), which later merged into the SKY Perfect JSAT Group.[5] It had a mixed Ku-band and Ka-band payload and operated on the 158° East longitude.[1][6]

Superbird-A1
NamesSuperbird-1A
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorSpace Systems/Loral
COSPAR ID1992-084A [1]
SATCAT no.22253
Mission duration10 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSuperbird-A1
Spacecraft typeSuperbird
BusSSL 1300
ManufacturerFord Aerospace
Launch mass2,780 kg (6,130 lb)
DimensionsStowed: 2.41 m × 2.58 m × 2.20 m (7 ft 11 in × 8 ft 6 in × 7 ft 3 in)
Solar panels extended: 20.3 m (67 ft)
Power4 kW
Start of mission
Launch date1 December 1992, 22:48:00 UTC[2]
RocketAriane-42P H10+
Launch siteCebtre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[3]
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude158° East
Transponders
Band14 Ku-band
30 Ka-band[4]
Coverage areaJapan
 

It was ordered in 1985 along Superbird-B, Superbird-A1 and Superbird-B1 on the very first order of the SSL 1300 platform.[6][7][8][9]

Satellite description

The spacecraft was the fourth satellite designed and manufactured by Ford Aerospace on the SSL 1300 satellite bus. It was based on the design of the Intelsat V series and offered a three-axis stabilized platform.[6][7][8][9]

It had a launch mass of 2,780 kg (6,130 lb) and a 10-year design life.[1][4] When stowed for launch, its dimensions were 2.41 m × 2.58 m × 2.20 m (7 ft 11 in × 8 ft 6 in × 7 ft 3 in). With its solar panels fully extended it spanned 20.3 m (67 ft). Its power system generated approximately 4 kW of power due to two wings with three solar panels each.[1][6] It also a NiH2 battery to survive the solar eclipses. It would serve as the main satellite on the 158°E longitude position of the Superbird.[1][6]

Its propulsion system included an R-4D-11 liquid apogee engine (LAE) with a thrust of 490 N (110 lbf).[6] It included enough propellant for orbit circularization and 10 years of operation.[6]

Its payload is composed of 14 Ku-band plus 30 Ka-band transponders.[4]

History

Space Communications Corporation (SCC) was founded in 1985, the same year as the original companies that later formed JSAT.[10] On 1986 SCC ordered four spacecraft, Superbird-1, Superbird-2, Superbird-A1 and Superbird-B1 from Ford Aerospace, which became Space Systems/Loral in October 1990.[8]

On 1 December 1992 at 22:48:00 UTC Superbird-A1, was launched aboard an Ariane 42P.[6] It was injected into a 192 km × 35,990 km × 7° geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO), from which it climbed through three liquid apogee engine (LEA) firings.[1] It was positioned in its 158° East longitude position where it was integrated to the Superbird communication network.[6][11][12]

References
  1. "Display: Superbird A1 1992-084A". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. "Trajectory: Superbird A1 1992-084A". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. "SUPERBIRD A1". N2YO.com. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  4. "Superbird A1". Satbeams. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  5. "Superbird-1, -2". SSL (company). Archived from the original on 22 July 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  6. Krebs, Gunter (19 August 2016). "Superbird A, A1, B, B1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  7. "Industry Pioneer Marks Milestone, Continues to Lead in Providing High-Power Commercial Satellites, Helping Operators Meet Business Objectives". SSL (company). 17 July 2007. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  8. "Awards & Launch History - 1300 Bus Satellites". SSL (company). Archived from the original on 12 August 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  9. "Celebrating Fifty Years of Satellite Innovation". SSL (company). Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  10. "History". SKY Perfect JSAT. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  11. "Superbird". Global Security. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  12. Wade, Mark. "Ariane 42P". Encyclopaedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
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