# JCSAT-4A

> geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q14174196](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14174196)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JCSAT-4A)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jcsat-4a

## Summary
JCSAT-4A is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings. Launched on February 16, 1999, it is a member of the Japanese JCSAT satellite series, which provides telecommunications services from geostationary orbit.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Geostationary communications satellite
- **Series:** JCSAT (communications satellite class)
- **Operator:** SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings
- **Launch Date:** February 16, 1999
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas II (American expendable launch system)
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36
- **COSPAR ID:** 1999-006A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 25630
- **Series Inception:** 1985
- **Country of Origin:** Japan

## FAQs
### Q: Who is the operator of JCSAT-4A?
A: JCSAT-4A is operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings. It is part of the JCSAT series of communications satellites, which has been in operation since 1985.

### Q: When was JCSAT-4A launched and what rocket was used?
A: The satellite was launched on February 16, 1999. It was carried into orbit by an Atlas II, which is an American expendable launch system.

### Q: Where did the launch of JCSAT-4A take place?
A: The launch occurred at Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36. This facility served as the starting point for the satellite's mission to geostationary orbit.

## Why It Matters
JCSAT-4A is a geostationary communications satellite that serves as a critical node in the JCSAT satellite constellation. Operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings, it is part of a series that has been foundational to Japanese satellite communications since the inception of the JCSAT class in 1985. Its role as a geostationary asset ensures it remains in a fixed position relative to Earth, providing the stable and continuous signal coverage necessary for modern telecommunications. 

The satellite’s successful deployment on February 16, 1999, via an Atlas II expendable launch system from Cape Canaveral, underscores the technical coordination required for international space missions. By utilizing American launch infrastructure for a Japanese-operated satellite, JCSAT-4A represents the ongoing development and maintenance of global communication networks. As part of the JCSAT lineage, it contributes to a legacy of orbital technology that spans several decades, helping to maintain the connectivity standards established by SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings. Its presence in the Satellite Catalog (SCN 25630) and its COSPAR identification (1999-006A) mark its place in the historical record of late 20th-century commercial satellite deployment.

## Notable For
- **International Collaboration:** A Japanese-operated satellite launched using an American Atlas II expendable launch system.
- **Legacy Series:** Part of the JCSAT class, a series of communications satellites with a history dating back to 1985.
- **Geostationary Orbit:** Designed to operate as a geostationary communications platform, maintaining a constant position over the Earth.
- **Technical Identification:** Recognized globally by COSPAR ID 1999-006A and Satellite Catalog Number 25630.

## Body

### Classification and Series
JCSAT-4A is an instance of the JCSAT class of communications satellites. The JCSAT series originated in Japan, with its inception dating back to 1985. As a geostationary communications satellite, JCSAT-4A is designed to provide telecommunications services from a fixed orbital position.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was launched on February 16, 1999. The launch was conducted at Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36. The mission utilized the Atlas II launch vehicle, an American expendable launch system known for deploying various satellite payloads.

### Technical Specifications and Identifiers
JCSAT-4A is cataloged under several international identification systems:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1999-006A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 25630
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/076v3v7

### Operations and Documentation
The satellite is currently under the operation of SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings. Its significance is reflected in its documentation across multiple languages, including English, Japanese, and Portuguese. As a significant event in its lifecycle, the rocket launch from Cape Canaveral remains its primary point of historical reference.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report