Superbird-B3

Superbird-B3
NamesSuperbird-8
DSN-1
Kirameki-1
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorSKY Perfect JSAT Group
COSPAR ID2018-033A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.43271 [1]
Mission duration15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSuperbird-8
Spacecraft typeSuperbird
BusDS2000
ManufacturerMitsubishi Electric
Launch mass5,348 kg (11,790 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date5 April 2018, 21:34:07 UTC[2]
RocketAriane 5 ECA (VA242)
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude162° East
Transponders
BandKu-band, Ka-band and X-band
Coverage areaJapan

Superbird-B3, known as Superbird-8 before launch, and DSN-1 (Kirameki-1) for its military payload, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group and designed and manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric on the DS2000 satellite bus.

It is intended to replace Superbird-B2 on the 162° East, offering Ku-band and Ka-band communication services to the Japanese market. It will also serve as one of the two planned X-band military satellites of the DSN network, in this role, it will be known as DSN-1 (Kirameki-1).

Originally intended to be launched by an Ariane 5 ECA in the second half of fiscal year 2015, a mishap during transport to the launch site in March 2016 meant that it would be delayed up to two years.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference karhukoti was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference spacenews-20160719stdjmcsbty was invoked but never defined (see the help page).