| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | SKY Perfect JSAT Group |
| COSPAR ID | 1996-007A[1] |
| SATCATno. | 23781 |
| Mission duration | 10 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | N-STAR b |
| Bus | SSL 1300 |
| Manufacturer | Space Systems/Loral |
| Launch mass | 3,400 kg (7,500 lb)[2] |
| BOL mass | 2,050 kg (4,520 lb) |
| Dry mass | 1,617 kg (3,565 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 5 February 1996, 07:19:38UTC[1] |
| Rocket | Ariane 44P H10-3 |
| Launch site | Centre Spatial Guyanais,ELA-2 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Transponders | |
| Band | 6C-band 11Ka-band 8Ku-band 1S-band[3] |
| Coverage area | Japan |
N-STAR b, was ageostationarycommunications satellite originally ordered by a consortium includingNTT DoCoMo andJSAT Corporation, and later fully acquired by JSAT, which was merged intoSKY Perfect JSAT Group. It was designed and manufactured bySpace Systems/Loral on theSSL 1300 platform.[2] It had a launch weight of 3,400 kg (7,500 lb), and a 10-year design life.[2] Its payload is composed of 6C-band, 11Ka-band, 8Ku-band and 1S-bandtransponders.
N-Star was created as a joint venture between JSAT,Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT),NTT Communications andNTT DoCoMo for the supply of these latter twoWIDESTAR satellite telephone and data packet service.[4] JSAT would handle the satellite side of business and NTT DoCoMo would operate the payload.[5][6]
Two identical satellites were ordered on 1992 fromSpace Systems Loral,N-STAR a andN-STAR b, for 1995 and 1996 on orbit delivery.[7][8] They would be "switchboards in the sky" having S-band, C-band, Ka-band and Ku-band payload.[9]
N-STAR a was successfully launched aboard anAriane 44P on 29 August 1995. Its twin, N-STAR b, launched on 5 February 1996, also aboard an Ariane 44P.[2][9] The satellite telephone service was operational in March 1996. In March 2000, the packet communications service was introduced.[10] In March 2000, JSAT received theNTT Communications interest in the N-STAR a and N-STAR b.[11][12]
In August 2003, the JSAT acquired the NTT DoCoMo interest on N-STAR a and N-STAR b, whom then leased them back.[13][14]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.