BS 2x, 3h (Yuri 2x, 3h)

BS 3h (Yuri 3h) [GE Astro]

Two Ku-band DTH satellites were originally ordered by STC in 1982, but when their plans failed, were sold to Japan as gapfillers in the BS broadcasting satellite program under the designation BS 2x (1989) and BS 3h (1990).

These satellites were to bridge the gap between the first generation BS 2 (Yuri2) satellites and the newer BS 3 (Yuri 3) series.

The satellites were built by GE Astro (originally RCA Astro) based on their bus. They carried three active and three reserve 200 W Ku-band transponders.

Both satellites were lost in launch failures. If they had been successfully launched, they would have been renamed Yuri 2x and Yuri 3h.

Nation: Japan
Type / Application: Communication
Operator: TSCJ
Contractors: RCA Astro → GE Astro
Equipment: 3 (+3) 200 W Ku-band transponders
Configuration: AS-3000
Propulsion: Star-30C
Power: 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime:
Mass: 1250 kg
Orbit: GEO
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
BS 2x (ex STC 1) 1990-F01 22.02.1990 Ko ELA-2 F Ariane-44L H10 with Superbird B
BS 3h (ex STC 2) 1991-F01 18.04.1991 CC LC-36B F Atlas-1

Launch Sites:

  • CC =   Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Eastern Test Range, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA   USA
  • Ko =   Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG), Kourou, French Guiana, France   France
Further BS missions:

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