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Superbird

The Space Communications Corporation of Japan (SCC) was formed a month before JCSAT in 1985 but did not launch its first satellite until three months after its competitor. SCC's Superbird spacecraft are based on Loral's (formerly Ford Aerospace) FS-1300 bus, which was also selected for the N-Star replacement of the CS-3 satellites. The 1.5-metric-ton Superbird spacecraft carry a total of 26 transponders: 23 (with 8 spares) at 14/12 GHz and 3 at 29/19 GHz.

Superbird A was launched in June, 1989, by Ariane (as have been all Superbird satellites) and was stationed at 158 degrees E. A second satellite, Superbird B. was lost in the Ariane accident of February, 1990. Before a replacement could be launched, Superbird A malfunctioned, necessitating its transfer to a graveyard orbit in 1991. The constellation of two spacecraft at 158 degrees E and 162 degrees E was finally established in 1992 with Superbird A1 (1 December 1992) and Superbird B1 (26 February 1992). Both were still operational at the end of 1994. Superbird C, based on the Hughes HS-601 platform, will be launched in 1997 with a total of 24C-band and Ku-band transponders (References 201-204).

201. "Via Super Bird, Satellite Communications Services", Space Communications Corporation, 1993.

202. "Japanese Firm To Launch Super Bird C Craft in 1997", Space News, 3-9 October 1994, p. 12.

203. "Japan's New Superbird C Will Cover Asia Pacific", Space News, 13-19 March 1995, p. 19.

204. P. Seitz, "Superbird Operator Might Break Even in 1995", Space News, 12-18 June 1995, p. 6.

Sources and Resources

• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

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