# Superbird-B

> geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q16548327](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16548327)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superbird-B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/superbird-b

## Summary
Superbird-B is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Japan. Launched on February 22, 1990, it was deployed into orbit using an Ariane 44L rocket from the ELA-2 launch complex.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Geostationary communications satellite.
- **Country:** Japan.
- **Launch Date:** February 22, 1990.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Ariane 44L (a variant of the Ariane 4 series).
- **Launch Site:** ELA-2 (Ensemble de Lancement 2).
- **Significant Event:** Rocket launch occurring on February 22, 1990, at ELA-2.
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/1pwgtffw3.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Available in English and Portuguese.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Superbird-B launched?
A: Superbird-B was launched on February 22, 1990.

### Q: What launch vehicle was used for Superbird-B?
A: The satellite was launched aboard an Ariane 44L rocket.

### Q: Where did the launch of Superbird-B take place?
A: The launch took place at the ELA-2 launch site.

### Q: What type of satellite is Superbird-B?
A: It is a geostationary communications satellite designed for telecommunications.

## Why It Matters
Superbird-B represents a specific component of space infrastructure utilized by Japan for telecommunications purposes. As a geostationary satellite, it was designed to maintain a fixed position relative to the Earth's surface, providing consistent coverage for communication relay. Its deployment in early 1990 highlights the era's reliance on heavy-lift launch vehicles like the Ariane 44L to place high-capacity satellites into precise orbital slots. The mission underscores the international nature of space logistics during this period, featuring a Japanese satellite launched via a European rocket (Ariane) from a designated launch complex (ELA-2). While specific operational details are sparse in the provided data, its classification confirms its role in the broader global network of artificial satellites facilitating data and voice transmission.

## Notable For
- Being a **geostationary** communications platform, ensuring fixed footprint coverage.
- Utilizing the **Ariane 44L** configuration, a specific heavy-lift variant of the Ariane 4 family.
- Launching from **ELA-2**, a prominent launch complex utilized for Ariane missions.
- Serving as a key telecommunications asset for **Japan**.
- Distinct identification within the Google Knowledge Graph (/g/1pwgtffw3).

## Body
### Mission Profile
Superbird-B is an artificial satellite designed primarily for telecommunications. As a geostationary satellite, it operates in an orbit that allows it to match the Earth's rotation, effectively hovering over the same geographic area.

### Launch Details
The satellite was successfully delivered to space on **February 22, 1990**.
- **Launch Vehicle:** The mission utilized the **Ariane 44L**, a model within the Ariane 4 series known for its liquid-fueled boosters.
- **Location:** The launch originated from **ELA-2** (Ensemble de Lancement 2), a launch pad specifically associated with the Ariane program.

### Nationality and Classification
Superbird-B is attributed to **Japan**. It falls under the broad class of "communications satellite," a category of spacecraft equipped with transponders to relay radio signals. The Wikidata description explicitly categorizes it as a "geostationary communications satellite."

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report