| Names | Superbird-8 DSN-1 Kirameki-1 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | SKY Perfect JSAT Group |
| COSPAR ID | 2018-033A |
| SATCAT no. | 43271 [1] |
| Mission duration | 15 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Superbird-8 |
| Spacecraft type | Superbird |
| Bus | DS2000 |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Electric |
| Launch mass | 5,348 kg (11,790 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 5 April 2018, 21:34:07 UTC[2] |
| Rocket | Ariane 5 ECA (VA242) |
| Launch site | Centre Spatial Guyanais, ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geostationary orbit |
| Longitude | 162° East |
| Transponders | |
| Band | Ku-band, Ka-band and X-band |
| Coverage area | Japan |
Superbird-B3, known as Superbird-8 before launch, and DSN-1 (Kirameki-1) for its military payload, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group and designed and manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric on the DS2000 satellite bus.
It is intended to replace Superbird-B2 on the 162° East, offering Ku-band and Ka-band communication services to the Japanese market. It will also serve as one of the two planned X-band military satellites of the DSN network, in this role, it will be known as DSN-1 (Kirameki-1).
Originally intended to be launched by an Ariane 5 ECA in the second half of fiscal year 2015, a mishap during transport to the launch site in March 2016 meant that it would be delayed up to two years.