| 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 spare, 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]
