BSAT-4b, is a

geostationary A geostationary orbit, also referred to as a geosynchronous equatorial orbit''Geostationary orbit'' and ''Geosynchronous (equatorial) orbit'' are used somewhat interchangeably in sources. (GEO), is a circular geosynchronous orbit in altitude ...

communications satellite ordered by Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation and designed and manufactured by

SSL SSL may refer to: Entertainment * RoboCup Small Size League, robotics football competition * ''Sesame Street Live'', a touring version of the children's television show * StarCraft II StarLeague, a Korean league in the video game Natural language ...

of Maxar Technologies on the SSL 1300 platform. It is expected to be stationed on the 110.0° East orbital latitude for direct television broadcasting of 4K and 8K Ultra HD television resolutions.

Satellite description

BSAT-4b was designed and manufactured by

, a subsidiary of Maxar Technologies, on the SSL 1300 satellite bus for Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation. It has an estimated launch mass of with a 15-year design life. It will have a single K_u-band payload with 24 transponders. It will cover Japan with 4K and 8K Ultra HD television satellite service.

History

On 24 March 2018, B-SAT ordered the second of its fourth generation satellite from

, BSAT-4b. It was expected to be weight around , have 24 K_u-band transponders with a 15-year design life. At the time, it was expected for a launch in June 2020. It was to serve as an backup to BSAT-4a, and enter service before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. On 19 April 2018, Arianespace was contracted for an

Ariane 5 ECA Ariane 5 is a European heavy-lift space launch vehicle developed and operated by Arianespace for the European Space Agency (ESA). It is launched from the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) in French Guiana. It has been used to deliver payloads into ...

launch service. On 1 July 2020, the satellite was delivered to French Guiana inside a container supplied by RUAG Space

Launch

The satellite was launched on 15 August 2020 at 22:04 UTC.

References

{{Orbital launches in 2020 Communications satellites in geostationary orbit Satellites using the SSL 1300 bus Satellites of Japan Ariane commercial payloads Spacecraft launched in 2020