| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | B-SAT |
| COSPAR ID | 2017-059B |
| SATCATno. | 42951 |
| Website | [1] (Japanese) |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | BSAT-4a |
| Spacecraft type | BSAT |
| Bus | SSL 1300 |
| Manufacturer | Space Systems/Loral |
| Launch mass | 3500 kg |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 29 September 2017, 21:56 UTC[1] |
| Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA |
| Launch site | Guiana Space CenterELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 110.0° East (Planned) |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 24Ku-band |
| Coverage area | Japan |
BSAT-4a is ageostationarycommunications satellite ordered byBroadcasting Satellite System Corporation (BSAT) and designed and manufactured bySSL on theSSL 1300 platform, to be stationed on the 110.0° East orbital slot fordirect television broadcasting of4K and8KUltra HD resolutions.[2][3][4] It was launched on 29 September 2017.[5]
BSAT-4a was designed and manufactured bySSL on theSSL 1300satellite bus forBSAT. It has an estimated launch mass of 3,500 kilograms (7,700 lb) with a 15-year design life.[2][6][4]
It has a singleKu-band payload with 24transponders, and covers Japan with4K and8KUltra HDtelevision satellite service.[2][3]
On 18 June 2015,BSAT ordered the first of its fourth generation satellites fromSSL,BSAT-4a. It was expected to be weight around 3,500 kilograms (7,700 lb), have 24Ku-bandtransponders with a 15-year design life. It was launched on 29 September 2017.[1] It was planned that 4K and 8K signals would be broadcast by summer 2020.[3]
In September 2015, BSAT contractedArianespace for anAriane 5 ECA launch service,[4][2]and received a preliminary license for broadcasting4K and8KUltra HD.[7]
