JCSAT-17
Communications satellite
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
JCSAT-17 is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group. The satellite was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space on the LM-2100 platform, and was launched on 18 February 2020 on an Ariane 5.[3] The satellite mainly provides service to Japan and the surrounding regions. Utilizing several S-band transponders with a flexible processor, the satellite has the capability to redirect communications capacity to concentrate on disaster relief efforts or other high-volume events.[4]
Artist's impression of JCSAT-17 | |
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | SKY Perfect JSAT |
| COSPAR ID | 2020-013A |
| SATCAT no. | 45245 |
| Mission duration | 15 Years |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | JCSAT-17 |
| Bus | LM-2100[1] |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin Space |
| Launch mass | 5857 kg |
| Dimensions | 3.7 x 1.8 m |
| Power | 20 kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 18 February 2020, 22:19:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA[2] |
| Launch site | Kourou, ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Deployment date | 18 February 2020 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 136.0° East |
| Transponders | |
| Band | S-band C-band Ku-band |
| Coverage area | Japan and Asia-Pacific |
History
On 3 February 2016, SKY Perfect JSAT awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems a contract to build JCSAT-17 using a modernized variant of the A2100 satellite bus.[5] Eventually, this bus became known as LM-2100, which is expected to provide JCSAT-17 with a minimum 15-year lifespan.
On 4 January 2017, SKY Perfect JSAT announced it had contracted Arianespace to launch JCSAT-17 on an Ariane 5 ECA.[6] The satellite was shipped to Kourou in January 2020.[7]
Spacecraft
JCSAT-17 was built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems on the LM-2100 platform. The spacecraft uses an 18-metre reflecting antenna to provide targeted S-band communications to Japan and surrounding regions.[8] Once in orbit, the new satellite unfurled a 18-metre-diameter S-band mesh communications antenna made by L3Harris Technologies, formerly known as Harris Corp., of Melbourne, Florida.[9] The spacecraft uses Ku-band transceivers for aircraft avionics communications.[10]
Launch
JCSAT-17 was launched from Guiana Space Centre ELA-3 on 18 February 2020 at 22:19:00 UTC aboard an Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle. As with most Ariane 5 missions, the satellite was co-manifested and therefore shared a launch with the South Korean weather satellite GEO-KOMPSAT 2B.
Approximately 31 minutes after launch, JCSAT-17 separated from the SYLDA fairing and was released into geostationary transfer orbit.[11]
The S-band and C-band payloads on JCSAT-17 will be used by NTT Docomo, a Japanese mobile phone company, to provide mobile connectivity across Japan and surrounding regions, according to Sky Perfect JSAT.[9]
