JCSat 13

Spacecraft nr:

Japanese spacecraft nr: 173

Launch data: Designation  38331 / 12023A Launch date  15 May 2012 - 22:13 UT Launch site  Ko, ELA-3 Launch vehicle  Ariane-5ECA (VA206) Mission  Commercial: Communication Geostationary orbit: Perigee / Apogee  35780 x 35791 km Eccentricity  1,30E-04 Inclination  0.05 deg Period  1436.1 min

Description:

• JCSAT-13 will feature an all Ku-band payload incorporating 44 fixed high-power communication channels that will provide uplink and downlink coverage over Japan, Asia and Oceania. Additionally, two steerable antennas provide coverage for new and emerging markets as well as quick response coverage, spanning the visible Earth from the orbital slot to cover a geographic area upon short notice and, depending on capacity requirements, providing multiple transponders in each steerable beam. Extensive on-board switching allows for payload reconfiguration capability on orbit, allowing efficient use of the frequency plan.
• It carries 44 Ku-band transponders and will provide service to Japan and Southeast Asia. JCSAT 13 will be positioned in geostationary orbit at 124 degrees East. It will replace JCSAT 4A and has a design life of 15 years.

Mission details:

• Originally, JCSAT-13 was to be launched in 2013, but the company accelerated the plan to launch it in late 2011 nearly two years ahead of the original schedule. But due to launch vehicle scheduling problems, the launch slipped again to 2012.
• Arianespace launched an Ariane 5ECA on May 15, 2012 placing in orbit two Lockheed Martin A2100 class satellites: JCSAT 13 for Sky Perfect JSAT, and Vinasat 2 for VNPT (Vietnam Posts and Telecom). JCSAT 13 has a Leros 1C apogee engine, while Vinasat 2 has the Japanese IHI BT-4.
• On May 23, 2012 JCSAT 13 was in a 35731 x 35772 km x 0.1 deg orbit drifting east over 125E; Vinasat-2 was in a 35716 x 35761 km x 0.1 deg orbit drifting east over 131E.
  The ESC-A upper stage was in a 264 x 35665 km x 1.7 deg geostationary transfer orbit.