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N-STAR b, was a geostationary communications satellite originally ordered by a consortium including NTT DoCoMo and JSAT Corporation, and later fully acquired by JSAT, which was merged into SKY Perfect JSAT Group. It was designed and manufactured by Space Systems/Loral on the SSL 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 6 C-band, 11 Ka-band, 8 Ku-band and 1 S-band transponders.
| Mission type | Communication |
|---|---|
| Operator | SKY Perfect JSAT Group |
| COSPAR ID | 1996-007A [1] |
| SATCAT no. | 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, 07:19:38 UTC[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 | 6 C-band 11 Ka-band 8 Ku-band 1 S-band[3] |
| Coverage area | Japan |
N-Star was created as a joint venture between JSAT, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), NTT Communications and NTT DoCoMo for the supply of these latter two WIDESTAR 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 from Space Systems Loral, N-STAR a and N-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 an Ariane 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 the NTT 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]
- JCSAT-5A – Also known as N-STAR d, was the follow on satellite.
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