UNITED STATES: The Superbird-9 satellite will be launched in 2024 by SpaceX’s Starship rocket, according to a statement released on August 18 by SkyPerfect JSAT.
SpaceX and JSAT’s collaboration
The super-heavy-lifter SpaceX is building at Boca Chica, Texas, will be used for a mission, according to the Japanese satellite operator, who did not offer further details on the agreement.
Before the launch of the Superbird-9 satellite, “SKY Perfect JSAT and SpaceX will continue to cooperate together,” the operator stated in a brief statement.
As it relates to the launch of Starship, this is one of the first contracts he has disclosed for a commercial satellite operator. By the end of 2024, customers of AST SpaceMobile, a Texas-based firm with a cellular-compatible internet constellation, will choose to reserve a Falcon 9 or Starship launch.
Starship will also be crucial to the second-generation Starlink launch of its broadband satellite from SpaceX, which is anticipated to deliver more than 100 tonnes into low-Earth orbit and 21 tonnes into geostationary mobile orbit.
Starship that will act as a landing for manned Moon missions is being developed by SpaceX under a contract with NASA.
SpaceX intends to deploy the 120-meter-tall rocket to assist in the colonisation of Mars in the future. The business envisions using Starships that can refuel in a “parking orbit” near the Earth on journeys deeper into the solar system.
As Starship gets ready for its first orbital flight test, SpaceX has been performing static fire tests on its Super Heavy first-stage booster.
When the Federal Aviation Administration finished analysing the environmental effects of allowing SpaceX to launch from Boca Chica, a barrier to creating Starship was eliminated.
However, SpaceX must first put dozens of precautions in place to lessen the impact on the environment. With a dry mass of around three metric tonnes, Airbus’ Superbird-9 reconfigurable payload platform is being built for JSAT.
Because of this, it is conceivable that Superbird-9 will launch alongside more passengers on its trip to geostationary orbit.
Although it wasn’t yet ready to discuss specific rideshare prospects, SpaceX’s head of rideshare sales, Jarrod McLachlan, stated on August 9 that the company is “working on the rideshare configuration and smallsat offerings for Starship.”
JSAT stated that it plans to begin using Superbird-9 in 2025. It will primarily deliver television and broadband services over Japan and Eastern Asia during that time using the satellite’s steerable beams.
The operator has stated that it plans to invest 30 billion yen ($222 million) to fund the satellite project.
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