JSAT (satellite constellation)
It has practically amalgamated all private satellite operators in Japan, with only B-SAT left as a local competitor.
As of August 2016, it includes the fleets of three previously mentioned companies, Horizons Satellite and NTT DoCoMo and the DSN military network.
[6] In 2000, the company name was changed to JSAT Corporation, and was listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
[1] In April of that year, JSAT ordered JCSAT-8 from Boeing Satellite Development Center (which had acquired the HS-601 business from Hughes), to replace JCSAT-2 at the 154° East slot.
[9] JSAT switched satellite suppliers again and, on 30 April 2003, awarded an order for JCSAT-9 to Lockheed Martin Space Systems and its A2100AXS platform.
A hybrid satellite with 20 C-band, 20 Ku-band, and 1 S-band transponders, it was expected for launch in 2005 for the 132° East slot.
Based on the A2100AX platform, it would have a C-band and Ku-band payload and was expected to occupy the 128° East slot after its planned 2006 launch.
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.
[16] On September 18, 2007, JSAT announced an agreement with B-SAT to jointly procure an hybrid broadcast and communication satellite.
Thanks to a decision of the Japanese government that effectively lifted a ban on such mixed satellites, both companies would share a spacecraft to act as backup of JCSAT-110 on the 110°East slot.
Because of its configurable S band payload, it would be able to redirect capacity to concentrate on disaster relief efforts or other high-volume events.
The next day, SSL announced that the satellite had deployed the solar arrays, was in full control, and was performing orbital maneuvers to reach its operational position.
[39][2] At the scheduled August 14 at 05:26 UTC, SpaceX successfully launched the JCSAT-16 satellite into orbit on a Falcon 9 rocket.
Originally Superbird-8 was supposed to replace Superbird-B2, but a mishap during transport to the launch site in March 2016 meant that it would be delayed between one and two years.
[41][42] Space Communications Corporation (SCC) was founded in 1985, the same year as the original companies that later formed JSAT.
[44] On June 5, 1989 Superbird-A, the second private communications satellite of Japan was launched aboard an Ariane 44L along DFS Kopernikus-1.
The last of the initial batch, Superbird-A1 was launched on December 1 of the same year, thus completing the first phase of deployment of the SCC fleet.
[46] On 1995, SCC obtained a license to offer communication services in the international market and thus became a regional operator.
It was launched on April 16, 2004 by an Atlas IIAS that injected in the supersynchronous orbit specified by the satellite manufacturer, at which point it was named Superbird-A2.
But the orbit analysis had failed to take into consideration the influence of the Moon at such high apogees and the perigee started to drop dangerously fast.
[58][1] In October 1999, N-STAR c was ordered by NTT DoCoMo from Lockheed Martin and Orbital Sciences Corporation.
[59] Orbital would supply the spacecraft and procure launch services and Lockheed would deliver the payload an act a main contractor.
[62][63] JSAT ordered JCSAT-9 from Lockheed Martin, and in May 2003 leased some transponders to NTT DoCoMo to be used as N-STAR d.[15] JCSAT-9 successfully launched on April 12, 2006 aboard a Zenit-3SL and was rechristened JCSAT-5A.
On January 15, 2013, DSN Corporation announced that it had closed a contract with the Ministry of Defense to execute the "Program to Upgrade and Operate X-Band Satellite Communications Functions, etc".
[64] With the new venture in place, the DSN Corporation took on manufacture and launch of two satellites plus making upgrades to the ground control station network.
DSN is to operate, manage and maintain the facilities and equipment from fiscal years 2015 to 2030, at a total estimated program cost of ¥122,074,026,613.
[66][67] In April 2014, JSAT announced that it had placed an order with MELCO to procure a DS2000 model for the Superbird-8 satellite, intended to replace Superbird-B2 and be positioned on the 162°East orbital slot.
[65] This occurred as the completed satellite was on a flight to the launch site; JSAT observed container deformation detected upon landing.
It would carry 20 Ku band transponders, generate 3.5 kW of power, weight around 2.3 t (2.5 tons) and was expected to be launched in 2007.
[18] On November 4, 2015, JSAT and Intelsat made a joined statement that they would add a new member to their Horizons joint venture.
