Superbird-B

Superbird-B, also identified as Superbird-2 before launch, was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Ford Aerospace (now SSL MDA) on the SSL 1300 platform. It was originally ordered by Space Communications Corporation (SCC), which later merged into the SKY Perfect JSAT Group.[2] It had a mixed Ku band, Ka band and X band payload and was lost at launch.[3]

Superbird-B
NamesSuperbird-2
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorSpace Communications Corporation
COSPAR ID1990-F01[1]
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSuperbird-B
BusSSL 1300
ManufacturerFord Aerospace
Launch mass2,492 kg (5,494 lb)
DimensionsStowed: 2.41 m × 2.58 m × 2.20 m (7 ft 11 in × 8 ft 6 in × 7 ft 3 in)
Solar arrays extended:20.3 m (67 ft)
Power4 kW
Start of mission
Launch date23:17, February 22, 1990 (UTC) (1990-02-22T23:17Z)[1]
RocketAriane-44L
Launch siteKourou ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
End of mission
DestroyedLaunch Failure
Transponders
Band19 Ku band and 10 Ka band
 

It was ordered in 1985 along Superbird-A, Superbird-A1 and Superbird-B1 on the very first order of the SSL 1300 platform.[4][5][6][3] It was to be the second satellite of SCC.[3] It was supposed to be used for video distribution, news gathering, remote publishing and high definition TV service to the main islands of Japan and Okinawa from the 162°East position.[2]

Satellite description

The spacecraft was the second satellite designed and manufactured by Ford Aerospace on the SSL 1300 satellite bus. It was based on the design of the Intelsat V series and offered a three-axis stabilized platform.[4][5][6][3]

It had a launch mass of 2,492 kg (5,494 lb) and a 10-year design life.[1] When stowed for launch, its dimensions were 2.41 m × 2.58 m × 2.20 m (7 ft 11 in × 8 ft 6 in × 7 ft 3 in). With its solar panels fully extended it spanned 20.3 m (67 ft). Its power system generated approximately 4 kW of power due to two wings with three solar panels each.[3] It also had dual NiH2 battery to survive the solar eclipses. It was supposed to serve as the main satellite on the 162°East position of the Superbird fleet.[3]

Its propulsion system included an R-4D-11 LAE with a thrust of 490 N (110 lbf).[3] It included enough propellant for orbit circularization and 10 years of operation.[3]

History

Space Communications Corporation (SCC) was founded in 1985, the same year as the original companies that later formed JSAT.[7] In 1986, SCC ordered four spacecraft from Space Systems/Loral: Superbird-1, Superbird-2, Superbird-A1 and Superbird-B1.[5]

On February 22, 1990, at 23:17 GMT, Superbird-2 was launched aboard an Ariane 44L along with BS-2X.[3] At 100 seconds into the flight, the flight failed due to a red handkerchief that blocked a water line in one of the Viking engines of the first stage.[8] Both satellites were lost, and Superbird-B1 was rushed into launch.[1][3][9]

References
  1. Wade, Mark. "Ariane 44L". Encyclopaedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
  2. "Superbird-1, -2". SSL. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  3. Krebs, Gunter Dirk (2016-08-18). "Superbird A, A1, B, B1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
  4. "Industry Pioneer Marks Milestone, Continues to Lead in Providing High-Power Commercial Satellites, Helping Operators Meet Business Objectives". SSL. July 17, 2007. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  5. "Awards & Launch History - 1300 Bus Satellites". SSL. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
  6. "Celebrating Fifty Years of Satellite Innovation". SSL. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  7. "History". SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings Inc. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
  8. Castanos, Francis (December 7, 2020). "The cloth of doom: The weird, doomed ride of Ariane Flight 36". The Space Review. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  9. "Superbird". Global Security. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
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