Article Posted on : - Oct 27, 2010

BSAT-3b satellite in Lockheed Martin Newtown High Bay

NEWTOWN (BNS): Arianespace’s fourth Ariane 5 flight of 2010 will lift off BSAT-3b broadcasting satellite on October 28, from its Spaceport in French Guiana.

The BSAT-3b broadcasting satellite is designed and built by Lockheed Martin for the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) of Japan.

The launch window will be opened between 10:51 pm GMT to 12:01 am GMT.

BSAT-3b features 12 130 W Ku-band channels, eight operating simultaneously and will be located at 110 degrees East longitude. With a design life of 15 years, BSAT-3b is based on the A2100A platform manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), Newtown, Pennsylvania. BSAT-3b marks the 12th Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite launched in the 1- to 4-kW class satellite range.

The satellite is comprised entirely of equipment based on proven A2100 designs and flight heritage, enhancing reliability on orbit.

In 2007, Lockheed Martin has successfully built and launched BSAT-3a for B-SAT satellites. Currently, BSAT-3c/JCSAT-110R satellite is under construction, which is scheduled to be launched in the second quarter of 2011.

BSAT-3b will be the 37th commercial communications satellite based on the A2100 platform delivered to customers world-wide. All 36 A2100 spacecraft successfully launched are operational and continue to perform their missions.

Ariane 5’s payload lift performance for this latest mission is 8,263 kg, which includes a combined total of approximately 7,460 kg. for the W3B and BSAT-3b spacecraft, plus the launch vehicle’s dual-passenger dispenser system and satellite integration hardware.