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topic index
Program: Superbird. Objective: Communications. Overview: Japanese domestic business communications satellite network.
Major Events:

  • 1989 June 5 - Superbird A.  Spacecraft: FS-1300. Mass: 2,489 kg (5,487 lb). Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane.

    Japanese domestic business communications; 158 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 158 deg E in 1989-1990 As of 6 September 2001 located at 41.59 deg E drifting at 1.921 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 166.35W drifting at 1.878W degrees per day.

  • 1990 February 22 - Superbird B.  Spacecraft: FS-1300. Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane.

    Launched with BS-2X. Targeted for Geosynch orbit.

  • 1992 February 26 - Superbird B1.  Spacecraft: FS-1300. Mass: 2,560 kg (5,640 lb). Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane.

    Stationed at 162 deg E. Domestic communications. Launching organization Arianespace. Launch time 2358 GMT. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 162 deg E in 1992-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 19.90 deg W drifting at 4.382 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 164.51E drifting at 4.378W degrees per day.

  • 1992 December 1 - Superbird A1.  Spacecraft: FS-1300. Mass: 2,780 kg (6,120 lb). Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Vehicle: Ariane.

    Stationed at 158 deg E. Domestic communications. Launching states: Japan and France. Launch time 2248 GMT. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 158 deg E in 1993-1999 As of 31 August 2001 located at 157.95 deg E drifting at 0.011 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 158.03E drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

  • 1997 July 28 - Superbird C.  Spacecraft: HS 601. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Vehicle: Atlas.

    Geosynchronous. Stationed over 144.0E Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with IFR/MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 144 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 144.00 deg E drifting at 0.014 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 143.94E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.

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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.