Encyclopedia entry

BSB

Spacecraft · UK

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

British Satellite Broadcasting Ltd, direct broadcasting system owner/operator.

Chronology

2 events

22:59 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17B. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 4925-8.

BSB-1A - . Payload: Marco Polo 1. Mass: 1,233 kg (2,718 lb). Nation: UK. Agency: BSB. Program: BSB. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: HS 376. USAF Sat Cat: 20193 . COSPAR: 1989-067A. Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Perigee: 35,782 km (22,233 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.
British DBS; 31 deg W. Direct broadcasting system. Expected operational life, 10 years. Owner/operator: British Satellite Broadcasting Ltd, The Marcopolo Building, Chelsea Bridge, Queenstown Rd, London SW8 4NQ. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 31 deg W in 1989-1993; 5 deg E in 1994-2000; 13 deg W in 2000. As of 31 August 2001 located at 12.98 deg W drifting at 0.008 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 45.02W drifting at 3.908W degrees per day.

00:42 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17B. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 6925.

Thor 1 / BSB-R2 - . Payload: Marco Polo 2. Mass: 1,220 kg (2,680 lb). Nation: Norway. Agency: BSB. Program: Thor Comsat. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: HS 376. USAF Sat Cat: 20762 . COSPAR: 1990-074A. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.
UK DBS; 31 deg W. Direct broadcasting system. Expected operational life 12.5 yr. Owner/operator: British Sky Broadcasting Ltd, 6 Centaurs Business Park, Grant Way, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 5QD. Sold on-orbit in 1992 to Telenor Norway and redesignated Thor 1. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 50 deg W in 1990; 31 deg W in 1991-1992; 1 deg W in 1992-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 0.72 deg W drifting at 0.001 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 61.51W drifting at 3.830W degrees per day.