JCSAT-RA
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | JSAT Corporation |
| Mission duration | 15 years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | A2100AXS |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Launch mass | 4,000 kilograms (8,800 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 21 August 2009, 22:09 UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 5ECA |
| Launch site | Kourou ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Period | 24 hours |
JCSAT-RA, previously known as JCSAT-12,[1] is a Japanese geostationary communications satellite, which is operated by JSAT Corporation. It was ordered to replace the JCSAT-11 satellite which was lost in a launch failure on a Proton-M/Briz-M rocket in 2007, and is currently used as an on-orbit spare satellite; a role in which it replaced the older JCSAT-R spacecraft, providing a reserve for if one of the company's other satellites fails. It is a 4,000-kilogram (8,800 lb) satellite, which was constructed by Lockheed Martin based on the A2100AX satellite bus, with the same configuration as JCSAT-10 and JCSAT-11.[1] The contract to build JCSAT-12 was awarded on 6 September 2007, the day after JCSAT-11 failed to reach orbit.[2]
It was launched, along with the Australian Optus D3 satellite, by Arianespace.[3] An Ariane 5ECA rocket was used for the launch, which occurred from ELA-3 at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. The launch took place at 22:09 GMT on 21 August 2009, at the start of a 60 minute launch window.
JCSAT-12 separated from its carrier rocket into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, from which raise itself to geostationary orbit using a LEROS-1C apogee motor. It has a design life of fifteen years, and carries forty two transponders; twelve G/H band, and thirty J band (US IEEE C and Ku bands respectively).[4]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Krebs, Gunter. "JCSat 10, 11, 12 (JCSat 3A, RA)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- ^ "Order of the Replacement Satellite of JCSAT-11 Backup Satellite Following Launch Failure". JSAT Corporation. 2007-09-06. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
- ^ "Arianespace & JSAT Culminate Contract For JCSAT-12". Satnews Daily. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
- ^ "Preparations continue with the JCSAT-12 and Optus D3 payloads for Ariane 5's next launch". Mission Update. Arianespace. 2009-08-12. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
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