JCSAT-5 & Equator S

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

22:52:00

Tuesday December 2, 1997

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Flight V103.

Equator S

Wiki

Equator-S is an element of the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) program. Spacecraft design, manufacturing, and testing were provided by the Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik (MPE). The project was financially supported by DARA (Deutsche Agentur fur Raumfahrt Angelegenheiten). The Equator-S objectives are to provide high-resolution plasma, magnetic, and electric field measurements in several regions not adequately covered by the existing ISTP missions, namely the low-latitude dayside magnetopause and its boundary layer, the equatorial ring current region, and the near-earth equatorial plasma sheet. These regions play key roles in our understanding of the global perspective of solar-terrestrial relations as well as the detailed plasmaphysical processes.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

250 kilograms

JCSAT-5

Wiki

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 platform. 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.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

2,982 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 44P

Active 1991 to 2001

European Space Agency logo

Manufacturer

ESA

Rocket

Diameter: 3.8m

Height: 58.72m

Payload to Orbit

GTO: 3,460 kg

Liftoff Thrust

4,334 Kilonewtons

Stages

3

Strap-ons

4

Launch Site

ELA-2

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

16 days

Stats

Ariane 4


73rd

Mission

10th

Mission of 1997

European Space Agency


92nd

Mission

10th

Mission of 1997

1997


78th

Orbital launch attempt