| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | SKY Perfect JSAT Group |
| COSPAR ID | 2007-F03[1] |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | JCSAT-11 |
| Bus | A2100AX |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Launch mass | 4,007 kg (8,834 lb) |
| Dimensions | 27 m × 9 m (89 ft × 30 ft) with solar panels and antennas deployed. |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 22:43:10, September 5, 2007 (UTC) (2007-09-05T22:43:10Z) |
| Rocket | Proton-M/Briz-M |
| Launch site | BaikonurSite 200/39 |
| Contractor | ILS |
| End of mission | |
| Destroyed | Launch failure |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 18 × 27 Mhz and 12 × 36 MHzKu band 12 × 36 MHzC band |
| Bandwidth | 1,350 MHz |
| TWTA power | Ku band 127 W C band 48 W |
JCSAT-11, was ageostationarycommunications satellite ordered byJSAT Corporation (nowSKY Perfect JSAT Group) which was designed and manufactured byLockheed Martin on theA2100 platform. The satellite was designated to be used as an on-orbit, but was lost on launch failure.[2]
The spacecraft was designed and manufactured byLockheed Martin on theA2100AXsatellite bus. It had a launch mass of 4,007 kg (8,834 lb) and a 15-year design life. A near copy ofJCSAT-3A, it was to be used as an on orbit spare.[2] As most satellites based on the A2100 platform, it uses a 460 N (100 lbf)LEROS-1CLAE fororbit raising.[2] Its solar panels span 27 m (89 ft) when fully deployed and, with its antennas in fully extended configuration it is 9 m (30 ft) wide.[3]
Its payload is composed of eighteen 27 MHz and twelve 36 MHzKu band plus twelveC bandtransponders, for a total bandwidth of 1,350 MHz.[4] Itshigh-power amplifiers had an output power of 127 Watts on Ku band and 48 Watts on C band.[3]
On October 3, 2005, JSAT ordered anA2100AX based satellite fromLockheed Martin,JCSAT-11. It would be an almost copy ofJCSAT-3A, with aC band andKu band payload. It was expected to be launched in 2007 to act as a backup for the whole JSAT fleet.[5]
The almost 19-year streak of successful JCSAT launches was ended when aProton-M/Briz-M failed to orbit JCSAT-11 on September 5, 2007. A damaged pyro firing cable on the interstage truss prevented the second stage from controlling its direction, and the rocket and its payload crashed into the Kazakhstan steppes.[6] Being lucky in misfortune, JCSAT-11 was simply an on-orbit backup and thus it had no operational impact on the fleet.[2]
The same day of the launch failure, JSAT placed an order with Lockheed for an identical replacement,JCSAT-12, for launch in 2009.[2] On September 19, 2007, they closed a deal withArianespace for a launch slot with an Ariane 5 for its launch.[7]
