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Ariane
4 Launches JCSat 8 and Astra 3A
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An Ariane 44L successfully launched
JCSat 8 and Astra 3A from Kourou, pad ELA 2, at 01:29 UTC on March
29. The spacecraft were injected into a 249.8 km orbit for a
target of 249.6 km (+/- 3 km) by 35,995 km orbit for a target of
35,982 km (+/- 150 km) with an
inclination of 4.00 degrees for a target of 4.00 degrees
(+/- 0.06 degrees). The cost of the spacecraft, launch and
insurance is estimated at over US$300 million.
 JCSat 8, also known as JCSat 2A,
was built by Boeing Satellite Systems Inc. in El Segundo,
California. The 2460
kg (5425 lbm) JCSat 8 will be positioned at
154°E. JCSat 8 and carries 16 C-band transponders and 16 Ku-band
transponders. Its orbital design life is 11 years, with an
estimated power of 3.700 kW at end of life. It will be
operated by JSAT Corporation to provide telecommunication services
for Japan,  Asia, Oceania and Hawaii. The satellite will replace
JCSat 2.
 ASTRA 3A was built by Boeing
Satellite Systems. The 1,500 kg (3306 lbm) ASTRA 3A carries 20
Ku-band transponders. It will be positioned at 23.5°E. It has a
design life of 10 years, with an estimated power of 1.525
kW at end of life. ASTRA 3A will provide direct TV broadcast
and multimedia services for German-speaking Europe. The satellite
replaces Kopernikus 3.
Six Ariane 4 rockets remain before
the launch vehicle is retired.
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