Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation
The Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) is a Japanese corporation established in April 1993 to procure, manage and lease transponders on communications satellites. Its largest stockholder, owning 49.9%, is NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation. In 1994 it was ranked by Space News as the world's 19th largest fixed satellite operator.
The B-SAT fleet has an extensive history. This is an overview of the satellites.
These satellites were managed by Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation but are now decommissioned.
BSAT-1a was an HS-376 based satellite with 4 active plus 4 spare Ku band transponders. It was successfully launched on April 16, 1997 aboard an Ariane 44LP along Thaicom 3.
BSAT-1b was an HS-376 based satellite with 4 active plus 4 spare Ku band transponders. It was successfully launched on April 28, 1998 aboard an Ariane 44P along Nilesat 101.
BSAT-2a was manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation based on the STAR bus platform. It was launched aboard an Ariane 5G rocket on March 8, 2001. BSAT-2a serves as an on orbit backup to BSAT-2c.BSAT-2a was deorbited in January 2013.
BSAT-2b was a twin of BSAT-2a, also based on the STAR bus. Launched along Artemis aboard an Ariane 5G, it was left on an unusable orbit and that it couldn't compensate for. The electric propulsion Artemis, could use its higher efficiency ion drives, to reach operational orbit.
BSAT-2c was manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation Based on the STAR Bus platform. It was launched aboard an Ariane 5 rocket 2003-06-11. In-orbit delivery to B-SAT took place 2003-07-15. BSAT-2c was deorbited in August 2013.
...
Wikipedia