BSAT-3a

BSAT-3a is a Japanese communications satellite owned and operated by Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT). It provides direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting services, primarily high-definition (HD) television, to viewers across Japan.

Launched in June 2007 aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana, BSAT-3a is positioned in geostationary orbit at 131 degrees East longitude. It is a successor to earlier BSAT satellites and is designed to provide enhanced broadcast capabilities.

The satellite carries Ku-band transponders which are used to transmit television signals directly to consumer satellite dishes. It plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliable delivery of a wide range of television channels, including free-to-air and pay-TV services, to households throughout Japan.

BSAT-3a has a design life of approximately 13 years. After its operational lifespan, it is typically replaced by a newer generation of BSAT satellites.