{{Use American English|date=March 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Short description|Geostationary communications satellite}} {{Infobox spaceflight | name = JCSAT-4A | names_list = '''JCSAT-6''' (order to Feb 1999)<br/>'''JCSAT-4A''' (Feb 1999 onward) | image = | image_caption = | image_size = 300px
| mission_type = Communications | operator = SKY Perfect JSAT Group | COSPAR_ID = 1999-006A | SATCAT = 25630 | website = | mission_duration = 14.5 years (planned) <br/> {{time interval|February 16, 1999 01:45:26}} (elasped)
| spacecraft = JCSAT-6 | spacecraft_type = JCSAT | spacecraft_bus = HS-601 | manufacturer = Hughes | launch_mass = {{convert|2900|kg}} | dry_mass = | dimensions = | power =
| launch_date = 16 February 1999, 01:45:26 UTC | launch_rocket = Atlas IIAS (AC-152) | launch_site = Cape Canaveral, LC-36A | launch_contractor = International Launch Services (ILS)
| entered_service = | disposal_type = | deactivated =
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit | orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit | orbit_longitude = 124° East | apsis = gee
| trans_band = 32 K<sub>u</sub> band | trans_frequency = | trans_bandwidth = | trans_capacity = | trans_coverage = Japan | trans_TWTA =
| insignia = | insignia_caption = | insignia_size = 200px
| programme = JCSAT constellation | previous_mission = JCSAT-1B | next_mission = JCSAT-110
}} '''JCSAT-4A''', designated '''JCSAT-6''' before launch, is a Japanese geostationary communications satellite which is operated by JSAT Corporation (now SKY Perfect JSAT Group). It is positioned in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 124° East, from where it is used to provide broadcasting and corporate network communications to Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sptvjsat.com/en/business/satellite/list/jcsat_4a.html|title=JCSAT-4A|publisher=Sky Perfect JSAT|access-date=2009-08-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713034304/http://www.sptvjsat.com/en/business/satellite/list/jcsat_4a.html|archive-date=2009-07-13}}</ref>
== Spacecraft description == JCSAT-6 was constructed by Hughes, based on the HS-601 satellite bus. It is equipped with 32 Ku-band transponders, and at launch it had a mass of {{cvt|2900|kg}}, with an expected operational lifespan of fourteen and a half years.<ref name="UCS">{{cite web|url=http://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear_weapons_and_global_security/space_weapons/technical_issues/ucs-satellite-database.html|title=UCS Satellite Database|publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists|date=2009-07-01|access-date=2009-08-08}}</ref><ref name="GSP">{{cite web |url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/jcsat-5.htm|title=JCSat 5, 6|first=Gunter|last=Krebs|publisher=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=2009-08-08}}</ref>
== Launch == It was launched atop an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle flying from Launch Complex 36A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The launch occurred at 01:45:26 UTC on 16 February 1999,<ref name="JSR-LL">{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt|title=Launch Log|last=McDowell |first=Jonathan|publisher=Jonathan's Space Report|date=14 March 2021|access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref> and successfully placed JCSAT-6 into a geostationary transfer orbit. From this orbit, the satellite raised itself into a geostationary orbit using an R-4D apogee motor.<ref name="EA">{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/project/jcsat.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020829020459/http://astronautix.com/project/jcsat.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 August 2002|title=JCSAT|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|last=Wade |first=Mark|access-date=2009-08-08}}</ref> The final burn to complete its insertion into geosynchronous orbit occurred on 1 March 1999.<ref name="GSOHist">{{cite web |url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/geo.date|title=Index|work=Geostationary Orbit Catalog|last=McDowell|first=Jonathan|publisher=Jonathan's Space Report|access-date=2009-08-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406015538/http://www.planet4589.org/space/log/geo.date|archive-date=2010-04-06|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|Spaceflight}} * 1999 in spaceflight
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Orbital launches in 1999}} {{JCSAT}}
Category:Spacecraft launched in 1999 Category:Satellites using the BSS-601 bus Category:JCSAT satellites
{{communications-satellite-stub}} {{Japan-spacecraft-stub|nocat=yes}}