Astra 3A & JCSAT-8

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

01:29:00

Friday March 29, 2002

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Flight V149.

Astra 3A

Wiki

Astra 3A is one of the Astra communications satellites owned and operated by SES, launched in 2002 to the Astra 23.5°E orbital slot to provide digital television and radio for DTH and cable, multimedia and interactive services, corporate networks, and occasional and other business services to central Europe. The satellite provides two broadcast beams, of horizontal and vertical polarisation, across two footprints that covered essentially the same areas of Europe – principally the countries of central Europe.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

1,495 kilograms

JCSAT-2A (JCSAT-8)

Wiki

JCSAT-2A, known as JCSAT-8 before launch, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Boeing on the BSS-601 platform. It has Ku band and C band transponders and was used to replace JCSAT-2 at the 154°East longitude. It covers Japan, East Asia, Australia, and Hawaii. The spacecraft was designed and manufactured by Boeing on the BSS-601 satellite bus. It had a launch mass of 2,460 kg (5,420 lb) a power production of 3.7 kW and an 11-year design life. Stowed for launch it measured 3.6 m × 2.7 m × 4.3 m (11.8 ft × 8.9 ft × 14.1 ft), with its solar panels and antennas deployed it measured 21 m × 4.3 m × 7.6 m (69 ft × 14 ft × 25 ft).

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

2,460 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Ariane 44L

Active 1989 to 2003

European Space Agency logo

Manufacturer

ESA

Rocket

Diameter: 3.8m

Height: 58.72m

Payload to Orbit

GTO: 4,720 kg

Liftoff Thrust

6,000 Kilonewtons

Stages

3

Strap-ons

4

Launch Site

ELA-2

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana, France

Fastest Turnaround

16 days

Stats

Ariane 4


110th

Mission

3rd

Mission of 2002

European Space Agency


137th

Mission

4th

Mission of 2002

2002


15th

Orbital launch attempt