| Operator | SCC JSAT Corporation |
|---|---|
| Major contractors | Hughes Arianespace (LSP) |
| Bus | HS-601HP |
| Mission type | Communication |
| Launch date | 18 February 2000 |
| Carrier rocket | Ariane 4 44LP-3 |
| Launch site | Guiana Space Centre ELA-2 |
| Mission duration | 13 years |
| COSPAR ID | 2000-012A |
| Mass | 4,057 kilograms (8,940 lb) |
| Orbital elements | |
| Regime | Geostationary |
| Longitude | 162° East |
Superbird-B2, also known by its pre-launch designation Superbird-4, is a Japanese communications satellite which is operated by JSAT Corporation. It was originally built and launched for the Space Communications Corporation, which merged with JSAT in October 2008. It was constructed by Hughes and is based on the HS-601HP satellite bus. Launch occurred on 18 February 2000, at 01:04 GMT. The launch was contracted by Arianespace, and used a Ariane 4 44LP-3 carrier rocket flying from ELA-2 at the Guiana Space Centre.
It is primarily used to transmit what its operators describe as "area information", and provide a backup VSAT system to Japanese local government.
Following its launch and on-orbit testing, it was placed in geostationary orbit at 162° East, from where it provides communications services to Japan. It is equipped with thirty five transponders.
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