Space Brief 25 Jun 2025
Today's highlights include the launch of a U.S. military satellite via SpaceX, a new French defense agreement for satellite services, and the Missile Defense Agency's successful ICBM target tracking with long-range radar.
JCSAT-3A (29272)
COSPAR: 2006-033A | Alt Name: JCSAT 3A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 11, 2006
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA3
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 5ECA
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
29272
International Designator
2006-033A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:56:27 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
0.01°
Right Ascension
9.71°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
100.94°
Period
1436.10 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
JCSAT-3A
Alternative Name
JCSAT 3A
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
JSAT
Country
Japan
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 29272U 06033A 26185.24754194 -.00000333 00000-0 00000-0 0 9992
2 29272 0.0111 9.7107 0002428 100.9432 28.7192 1.00271862 47913
Source: Celestrak
Summary
JCSAT-3A (also known as JCSAT 3A) is a communication satellite operated by JSAT. Launched on August 11, 2006, from the Guiana Space Center using an Ariane 5ECA launch vehicle, it measures 5.5 meters in length and has a diameter of 2.2 meters with a span of 26.9 meters. The satellite's dry mass is 1858 kg, and its launch mass was 4048 kg. It is equipped with 30 Ku-band high-power transponders and 12 C-band medium-power transponders as part of the JCSAT 10 payload configuration. Power is provided by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's shape is described as a Box + 2 Pan, and its mission is to provide communication services with an expected lifetime of 15 years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5.5
Diameter
2.2
Span
26.9
Dry Mass
1858
Launch Mass
4048
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
31.6228
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
JCSAT 10
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
LMCSS
Life Expectancy
15 years
Bus
A2100AX
Configuration
A2100AXS
Motor
BT-4
Equipment
30 Ku-band high-power transponders and 12 C-band medium-power transponders (#10)
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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