JCSAT
In 1989 two, purely commercial Japanese communications networks were started, both relying on U.S.-made spacecraft. In 1985 the Japanese Communications Satellite Company was created by Hughes, Mitsui, and C Itoh as a commercial alternative to the Government controlled CS and BS satellites for the full range of telecommunications services (Hughes later left the consortium). In March, 1989, and January, 1990, JCSAT 1 and JCSAT 2 were launched by Ariane and Titan 3 boosters, respectively. Both spacecraft are identical and based on the Hughes HS-393 platform.
These 1.4-metric-ton spin-stabilized spacecraft are 3.7 m in diameter and 10 m tall when the solar array skirt is extended. The communications payload consists of 40 14/12 GHz transponders (including eight spares), working through a single 2.4 m diameter antenna. The JCSAT spacecraft are deployed at 150 degrees E (next to ETS V) and 154 degrees E and are designed to operate for at least ten years. JCSAT 3 was scheduled for launch in 1995 and will use the larger HS-601 bus to carry 12 C-band and 28 Ku-band transponders. The on-station mass will be 1,820 kg (References 195-200).
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