Spaceflight Now | Atlas Launch Report | The Superbird 6 spacecraft

Mission Status

		Launch of the Lockheed Martin Atlas 2AS rocket is scheduled for Thursday evening from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The 33-minute launch window opens at 8:45 p.m. EDT. Forecasters are predicting a 100 percent chance of favorable weather. Check the status center for complete coverage.

Mission Briefing

		Launch timeline - Chart with times and descriptions of events to occur during the launch. Weather forecast - The latest forecast for launch day conditions. Launch hazard area - The restricted area during liftoff. Ground track - See the trajectory the rocket will follow during its flight. Orbit insertion - Illustration of Superbird 6's trek to geostationary orbit. Superbird 6 - Overview of the Japanese satellite payload. Atlas 2AS vehicle data - Description of rocket being used in this launch. Atlas directory - See our coverage of previous Atlas rocket flights.

NewsAlert

		Sign up for our NewsAlert service and have the latest news in astronomy and space e-mailed direct to your desktop. Enter your e-mail address: Privacy note: your e-mail address will not be used for any other purpose.

The Superbird 6 spacecraft
BSS FACT SHEET
Posted: April 11, 2004

An artist's concept of Superbird 6 in orbit. Credit: Boeing Satellite Systems

Space Communications Corporation (SCC), a Japanese satellite communications service company, ordered Superbird 6, a Boeing 601 communications satellite, from Boeing Satellite Systems in September 2001. It is the third Boeing satellite to be built for SCC. Superbird 6 is scheduled to launch in the spring of 2004 on an Atlas 2AS launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida.

Superbird 6, slated for an orbital slot at 158.0 degrees East longitude, will provide business telecommunication services to Japan in Ku-Band and Ka-Band and will provide additional Ka-Band services using a Steerable Spot Beam. The satellite has a payload of 23 active Ku-Band transponders and four Ka-Band transponders.

The first Superbird spacecraft built by Boeing Satellite Systems, Superbird C, was launched in July 1997. Then, Superbird 4(B2) was launched in February 2000.

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO), and other Mitsubishi Group Companies established Space Communications Corporation of Tokyo, Japan in 1985.

Superbird is the name of the series of high-performance communications satellites owned and operated by SCC. SCC now operates four communications satellites named Superbird A, B2, C, and D at four orbital slots, by which SCC is providing stable and high quality telecommunication services to a wide range of customers.

Boeing Satellite Systems is major provider of space systems, communications satellites, and payloads for national defense, science, environmental and commercial applications.

Apollo 12 tribute DVD set

New! Featuring the jovial crew of Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon and Alan Bean, the Apollo 12 mission was struck by lightning shortly after liftoff but proceeded on the second successful exploration voyage to the lunar surface. This three-disc DVD brings the mission to life with extraordinary detail.

Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Fallen Heroes special patch

This special 12-inch embroidered patch commemorates the U.S. astronauts who made the ultimate sacrifice, honoring the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia.

Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Women in Space

Women of Space: Cool Careers on the Final Frontier is for girls, young women, and anyone else interested in learning about exciting careers in space exploration. Includes CD-ROM.

Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Mars rover poster

This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.

Choose your store:
U.S.

Apollo patches

The Apollo Patch Collection: Includes all 12 Apollo mission patches plus the Apollo Program Patch. Save over 20% off the Individual price.

Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Apollo Collage

This beautiful one piece set features the Apollo program emblem surrounded by the individual mission logos.

U.S. STORE

STS-127 Patch

The official embroidered patch for shuttle Endeavour's flight to finish building Japanese section of the space station.

U.S. STORE

WORLDWIDE STORE

Hubble Patch

The official embroidered patch for mission STS-125, the space shuttle's last planned service call to the Hubble Space Telescope, is available for purchase.

U.S. STORE

WORLDWIDE STORE

Project Orion

The Orion crew exploration vehicle is NASA's first new human spacecraft developed since the space shuttle a quarter-century earlier. The capsule is one of the key elements of returning astronauts to the Moon.

U.S. STORE

Fallen Heroes Patch Collection

The official patches from Apollo 1, the shuttle Challenger and Columbia crews are available in the store.

U.S. STORE

WORLDWIDE STORE

MISSION STATUS CENTER

INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE
ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE

ADVERTISE