| JCSAT-17 | |
| Mission Type: | Communication |
| Operator: | SKY Perfect JSAT |
| Cospar Id: | 2020-013A |
| Satcat: | 45245 |
| Mission Duration: | 15 Years |
| Spacecraft: | JCSAT-17 |
| Spacecraft Bus: | LM-2100 |
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed Martin Space |
| Launch Mass: | 5857 kg |
| Dimensions: | 3.7 x 1.8 m |
| Power: | 20 kW |
| Launch Date: | 18 February 2020, 22:19:00 UTC |
| Launch Rocket: | Ariane 5 ECA[1] |
| Launch Site: | Kourou, ELA-3 |
| Launch Contractor: | Arianespace |
| Deployment Date: | 18 February 2020 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric orbit |
| Orbit Regime: | Geostationary |
| Orbit Longitude: | 136.0° East |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Trans Band: | S-band C-band Ku-band |
| Trans Coverage: | Japan and Asia-Pacific |
| Programme: | JSAT |
| Previous Mission: | JCSAT-15 |
JCSAT-17 is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group. The satellite was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin Space on the LM-2100 platform, and was launched on 18 February 2020 on an Ariane 5.[2] The satellite mainly provides service to Japan and the surrounding regions. Utilizing several S-band transponders with a flexible processor, the satellite has the capability to redirect communications capacity to concentrate on disaster relief efforts or other high-volume events.
On 3 February 2016, SKY Perfect JSAT awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems a contract to build JCSAT-17 using a modernized variant of the A2100 satellite bus.[3] Eventually, this bus became known as LM-2100, which is expected to provide JCSAT-17 with a minimum 15-year lifespan.
On 4 January 2017, SKY Perfect JSAT announced it had contracted Arianespace to launch JCSAT-17 on an Ariane 5 ECA.[4] The satellite was shipped to Kourou in January 2020.[5]
JCSAT-17 was built by Lockheed Martin Space Systems on the LM-2100 platform. The spacecraft uses an 18-metre reflecting antenna to provide targeted S-band communications to Japan and surrounding regions.[6] Once in orbit, the new satellite unfurled a 18-metre-diameter S-band mesh communications antenna made by L3Harris Technologies, formerly known as Harris Corp., of Melbourne, Florida. The spacecraft uses Ku-band transceivers for aircraft avionics communications.[7]
JCSAT-17 was launched from Guiana Space Centre ELA-3 on 18 February 2020 at 22:19:00 UTC aboard an Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle. As with most Ariane 5 missions, the satellite was co-manifested and therefore shared a launch with the South Korean weather satellite GEO-KOMPSAT 2B.
Approximately 31 minutes after launch, JCSAT-17 separated from the SYLDA fairing and was released into geostationary transfer orbit.[8]
The S-band and C-band payloads on JCSAT-17 will be used by NTT Docomo, a Japanese mobile phone company, to provide mobile connectivity across Japan and surrounding regions, according to Sky Perfect JSAT.[9]