Superbird-A2

Superbird-A2
NamesSuperbird-6
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorSKY Perfect JSAT Group
COSPAR ID2004-011A [1]
SATCAT no.28218
WebsiteArchived official page
Mission duration13 years (planned)
Failed on orbit (achieved)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSuperbird-6
Spacecraft typeSuperbird
BusBSS-601
ManufacturerBoeing
Launch mass3,100 kg (6,800 lb)
BOL mass1,528 kg (3,369 lb)
Dry mass1,477 kg (3,256 lb)
Dimensions26.2 m × 7.5 m × 4.5 m (86 ft × 25 ft × 15 ft) with solar panels and antennas deployed
Power4378 watts
Start of mission
Launch date16 April 2004, 00:45:00 UTC[2]
RocketAtlas IIAS
Launch siteCape Canaveral, LC-36B
ContractorInternational Launch Services (ILS)
Entered serviceNever in service
End of mission
DisposalGraveyard orbit
Last contactFailed on orbit
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[3]
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude158° East
Transponders
Band23 Ku-band 36 MHz
4 Ka-band 100 MHz [4]
Bandwidth1228 MHz
Coverage areaJapan, South Asia, East Asia, Hawaii
TWTA powerKu-band: 85 watts
Ka-band: 70 watts [4]

Superbird-A2, known as Superbird-6 before launch, was a geostationary communications satellite ordered and operated by Space Communications Corporation (SCC) that was designed and manufactured by Hughes (now Boeing) on the BSS-601 satellite bus. It had a mixed Ku-band and Ka-band payload and was expected replace Superbird-A at the position at 158° East longitude. It was expected to provided television signals and business communications services throughout Japan, South Asia, East Asia, and Hawaii.[5][6][4]

While the launch was within the margins specified by the satellite manufacturer, the trajectory analysis had been inexact and the satellite suffered severe life and power degradation. It tried to use a supersynchronous transfer strategy, but Boeing had failed to take into consideration the effect of the Moon. Thus, the lowest part of the orbit dropped too fast and much propellant had to be spent on a fast transit to geosynchronous orbit. Additionally, the solar panels suffered damage from the extreme contact with the atmosphere. Given the damage to the spacecraft, it was never put into service.[5][7]

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  4. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference ssc-superbird620040626 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference gsp-superbird6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference boeingdefenseandspace-superbird6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference globalsecurity-japansuperbird was invoked but never defined (see the help page).