BSAT-4a

BSAT-4a is a geostationary communications satellite ordered by B-SAT and designed and manufactured by SSL on the SSL 1300 platform. It is expected to be stationed on the 110° East orbital slot for direct television broadcasting of 4K and 8K Ultra HD resolutions.[2][3][4]

BSAT-4a

Mission type	Communication
Operator	B-SAT
COSPAR ID	2017-059B
SATCAT no.	42951
Website	B-SAT (Japanese)
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	BSAT-4a
Bus	SSL 1300
Manufacturer	SSL
Launch mass	3.5 t (3.4 long tons; 3.9 short tons)
Start of mission
Launch date	29 September 2017 21:56 UTC[1]
Rocket	Ariane 5 ECA
Launch site	Guiana Space Center ELA-3
Contractor	Arianespace
Orbital parameters
Regime	GEO
Longitude	110° East (Planned)
Transponders
Band	24 Ku band
B-SAT

Satellite description

BSAT-4a was designed and manufactured by SSL on the SSL 1300 satellite bus for B-SAT. It has an estimated launch mass of 3.5 t (3.9 tons) with a 15-year design life.[2][5][4]

It will have a single K_u band payload with 24 transponders. It will cover Japan with 4K and 8K Ultra HD television satellite service.[2][3]

History

On June 18, 2015, B-SAT ordered the first of its fourth generation satellites from SSL, BSAT-4a. It was expected to be weight around 3.5 t (3.9 tons), have 24 K_u band transponders with a 15-year design life. It was launched on September 29, 2017.[1] It was planned, too, that commercial broadcasting of 4K and 8K signals would begin, and have full broadcast of Tokyo 2020 Olympics with that resolution.[3]

On September 14 of the same year, B-SAT contracted Arianespace for an Ariane 5 ECA launch service.[4][2] During the same month of September B-SAT received a preliminary license for broadcasting 4K and 8K Ultra HD.[6]

References

1. Ariane 5 rocket deploys satellites for Intelsat and B-SAT
2. Krebs, Gunter Dirk (2016-09-06). "BSat 3a, 3b". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2016-09-09.
3. "放送衛星3機のスペック" [Specifications of the three broadcasting satellites] (in Japanese). Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation. Archived from the original on 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2016-09-09.
4. "Arianespace to launch BSAT-4a, marking its 30th commercial GEO satellite launch contract for Japan". September 14, 2015. Archived from the original on 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2016-09-09.
5. "SSL selected to provide direct broadcasting satellite to B-SAT". June 18, 2015. Archived from the original on 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2016-09-09.
6. "Milestones". Archived from the original on 2016-09-09. Retrieved 2016-09-09.