Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 26, 2026

JCSAT-1B

JCSAT-1B, known as JCSAT-5 before launch, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-601 satellite bus. It has a pure Ku-band payload and was used to replace JCSAT-1 at the 150° East longitude. It covers Japan, Korea, most of China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, part of Indonesia, part of Malaysia and Hawaii.

Last revised
Jun 26, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
545 w
Citations
15
Source
JCSAT-1B
NamesJCSAT-5 (Jun 1996 to Dec 1997)
JCSAT-1B (Dec 1997 onward)
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorSKY Perfect JSAT Group
COSPAR ID1997-075A1
SATCAT no.25067
Websitehttp://www.jsat.net/en/contour/jcsat-1b.html
Mission duration12 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftJCSAT-5
Spacecraft typeJCSAT
BusHS-601
ManufacturerHughes
Launch mass2,982 kg (6,574 lb)
Dry mass1,308 kg (2,884 lb)
Dimensions26.1 m × 7.6 m (86 ft × 25 ft) with solar panels and antennas deployed
Power5 kW
Start of mission
Launch date2 December 1997, 22:52:32 UTC1
RocketAriane 44P
Launch siteCentre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-2
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude150° East
Transponders
BandKu-band:
16 × 36 Mhz + 16 × 27 MHz
Bandwidth1008 MHz
Coverage areaJapan, East Asia, South Asia, Australia, Hawaii
TWTA power12 × 36 MHz 95 watts
4 × 36 MHz 60 watts
16 × 27 MHz 60 watts

JCSAT-1B, known as JCSAT-5 before launch, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Hughes (now Boeing) on the HS-601 satellite bus. It has a pure Ku-band payload and was used to replace JCSAT-1 at the 150° East longitude. It covers Japan, Korea, most of China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, part of Indonesia, part of Malaysia and Hawaii.234

Satellite description

The spacecraft was designed and manufactured by Boeing Satellite Development Center on the HS-601 satellite bus. It had a launch mass of 2,982 kg (6,574 lb) and a 12-year design life. Its solar panels span 21 m (69 ft) when fully deployed and generated approximately 5 kW of power, with its antennas in fully extended configuration it is 7.6 m (25 ft) wide.4 It would provide communications services throughout Japan, East Asia, South Asia, Australia and Hawaii.2

Its payload is composed of sixteen 36 MHz plus another sixteen 27 MHz Ku-band transponders, for a total bandwidth of 1008 MHz.5 Its twelve of the 36 MHz transponders have a TWTA output power of 95 watts, the other four 36 MHz and the 27 MHz ones have 60 watts.42 It can configure four 36 MHz transponders into two 76 MHz with an effective 95 watts.2

The Ku-band footprint covers Japan, Korea, most of China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, part of Indonesia, part of Malaysia and Hawaii.4

History

In June 1996, JSAT (since then merged into SKY Perfect JSAT Group) ordered JCSAT-5 from Hughes Space and Communications Company (now Boeing Satellite Development Center), to replace JCSAT-1 at the 150° East slot. The HS-601 based satellite would provide coverage to Japan, East Asia, Australia and Hawaii.2

An Ariane 44P successfully launched JCSAT-5 on 2 December 1997 at 22:52:32 UTC from Centre Spatial Guyanais ELA-2 launch pad. Once successfully deployed, it was renamed as JCSAT-1B. It was driven to the 150° East position where it replaced JCSAT-1.2

The satellite experienced an anomaly on 17 January 2007 on one of its thrusters. But after the operator designed a control scheme to handle the satellite without the failed thruster, it was put back into service.2

References

References

  1. "Display: JCSAT 5 1997-075A". NASA. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. Krebs, Gunter (21 April 2016). "JCSat 5, 6 (JCSat 1B, 4A)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  3. "JCSat 1B (JCSat 5)". Satbeams. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  4. "JCSAT-1B". SKY Perfect JSAT. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  5. "Who we are?". SKY Perfect JSAT. 3 August 2012. Archived from the original on 8 September 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.