BSAT-2B

Japan

Spacecraft nº:

Japanese spacecraft nº: 96

Launch data:

Designation	26864 / 01029B
Launch date	12 Jul 2001 - 21:58 UT
Launch site	Ko, ELA-3
Launch vehicle	Ariane-5G (V142 / #510)
Mission	Communications
Geostationary orbit	should have gone to 110ºE

Partial failure

Specifications:

Prime contractor	OSC
Platform	Star
Mass at launch	1317 kg
Dry mass	550 kg
Dimension	3.7 x 2.2 x 2.1 m
Equipment	4 Ku-band transponders
Frequencies	Downlink: 11.7-12.2 GHz
Solar array
Stabilization	3-axis
DC power	BOL: 2600 W

End of live:

Re-entered date:	28 Jan 2014
Lifetime:

Has a Thiokol Star 30CBP solid apogee motor.
Communication payload provided by SS/L.

Description:

BSAT 2B was intended to be a Japanese geosynchronous communications spacecraft. It was launched by an Ariane 5 rocket from Kourou at 23:58 UT on 12 July 2001. A propulsion problem in the final stage of rocket caused the 1.3 tonne satellite to orbit at a much lower altitude. Since BSAT 2B carried only one engine, an ignition of that was inadequate to lift the orbit significantly.

Mission report:

The BSAT-2b television broadcast satellite was installed atop the launcher on July 4, followed the next day by the Artemis experimental telecommunications spacecraft and its protective payload fairing.

The BSAT-2b spacecraft is readied for its first steps toward space. A technician makes final system verifications on the satellite (left), prior to its installation on the cone-shaped payload interface adapter (at right) from EADS CASA Espacio. BSAT-2b was then mounted atop the Ariane 5 in the lower payload position. The BSAT-2b was produced by U.S. manufacturer Orbital Sciences Corp. for Japanese operator B-SAT.

Ariane 5's payload fairing, which will protect the European Space Agency's Artemis satellite during the first minutes of flight, is hoisted inside the final assembly building. This is a short version of the launcher's 5.4-meter wide payload fairing, which is built by Switzerland's Contraves Space. Visible between the decals for the Artemis and BSAT-2b satellites and the Arianespace logo is a row of small vents for pressure equalization under the fairing during the Ariane 5's rapid climb-out after liftoff.

The payload fairing containing the Artemis satellite is prepared for its installation atop Ariane 5. The ogival/cylindrical-shaped fairing is composed of two half shells, which are produced with carbon-covered sandwich aluminum honeycomb panels. Separation of the fairing will occur approximately 3 min. 25 sec. into the mission – once the Ariane 5 has climbed though the denser layers of the Earth's atmosphere.

The launch vehicle for Flight 142 is complete, following installation of the payload fairing with the Artemis satellite atop the launcher. This picture was taken in the upper level of the Ariane 5 final assembly building, and it shows the fairing in position above the BSAT-2b satellite – which is installed in the lower payload position. Artemis will be released into orbit approximately 28 minutes into the mission, followed by BSAT-2b's separation about 7 min. 30 sec. later.

Ref.: #3(SD495), #7, #66a, #228 - update: 13.01.15

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	The BSAT-2b spacecraft is readied for its first steps toward space. A technician makes final system verifications on the satellite (left), prior to its installation on the cone-shaped payload interface adapter (at right) from EADS CASA Espacio. BSAT-2b was then mounted atop the Ariane 5 in the lower payload position. The BSAT-2b was produced by U.S. manufacturer Orbital Sciences Corp. for Japanese operator B-SAT.
Ariane 5's payload fairing, which will protect the European Space Agency's Artemis satellite during the first minutes of flight, is hoisted inside the final assembly building. This is a short version of the launcher's 5.4-meter wide payload fairing, which is built by Switzerland's Contraves Space. Visible between the decals for the Artemis and BSAT-2b satellites and the Arianespace logo is a row of small vents for pressure equalization under the fairing during the Ariane 5's rapid climb-out after liftoff.
	The payload fairing containing the Artemis satellite is prepared for its installation atop Ariane 5. The ogival/cylindrical-shaped fairing is composed of two half shells, which are produced with carbon-covered sandwich aluminum honeycomb panels. Separation of the fairing will occur approximately 3 min. 25 sec. into the mission – once the Ariane 5 has climbed though the denser layers of the Earth's atmosphere.
The launch vehicle for Flight 142 is complete, following installation of the payload fairing with the Artemis satellite atop the launcher. This picture was taken in the upper level of the Ariane 5 final assembly building, and it shows the fairing in position above the BSAT-2b satellite – which is installed in the lower payload position. Artemis will be released into orbit approximately 28 minutes into the mission, followed by BSAT-2b's separation about 7 min. 30 sec. later.