Superbird-B1 & Arabsat-1C

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

23:58:00

Wednesday February 26, 1992

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Flight V49.

Superbird-B1

Wiki

Superbird-B1, sometimes identified as Superbird-1B, was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Ford Aerospace (now SSL MDA) on the SSL 1300 platform. It was originally ordered by Space Communications Corporation (SCC), which later merged into the SKY Perfect JSAT Group. It had a mixed Ku band, Ka band, and X band payload and was rushed into launch to the 162°E longitude due to the launch failure of Superbird-B. It was ordered in 1985 along with Superbird-A, Superbird-B, and Superbird-A1 on the very first order of the SSL 1300 platform. It was also the second satellite of SCC in orbit and the fourth commercial satellite of Japan to enter operations. It was used for video distribution, news gathering, remote publishing, and high-definition TV service to the main islands of Japan and Okinawa.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

2,560 kilograms

Arabsat-1C

Wiki

INSAT-2DT, previously Arabsat-1C and also known as INSAT-2R, was a Saudi Arabian and subsequently Indian communications satellite that was operated initially by Arabsat, and then by the Indian National Satellite System. Launched in 1992 as Arabsat-1C, it was operated at 31° East longitude in geostationary orbit, from where it was used to provide communication services to the Arab States. It was constructed by Aérospatiale, based on the Spacebus 100 satellite bus, and carried two NATO E/F-band (IEEE S-band) and 25 NATO G/H-Band (IEEE C band) transponders. At launch, it had a mass of 1,170 kilograms (2,580 lb), and an expected operational lifespan of seven years.

Geostationary Transfer Orbit

1 Payload

1,360 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


21st

Mission

1st

Mission of 1992

European Space Agency


40th

Mission

1st

Mission of 1992

1992


11th

Orbital launch attempt