Superbird-B
| Names | Superbird-2 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communication |
| Operator | Space Communications Corporation |
| COSPAR ID | 1990-F01 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Superbird-B |
| Bus | SSL 1300 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Aerospace |
| Launch mass | 2,492 kg (5,494 lb) |
| Dimensions | Stowed: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) |
| Power | 4 kW |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 23:17, February 22, 1990 |
| Rocket | Ariane-44L |
| Launch site | Kourou ELA-2 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| End of mission | |
| Destroyed | Launch Failure |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 19 Ku band and 10 Ka band |
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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. It had a mixed Ku band, Ka band and X band payload and was lost at launch.
It was ordered in 1985 along Superbird-A, Superbird-A1 and Superbird-B1 on the very first order of the SSL 1300 platform. It was to be the second satellite of SCC. 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.
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.
It had a launch mass of 2,492 kg (5,494 lb) and a 10 year design life. 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 thanks to two wings with three solar panels each.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.
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