# Superbird-B1
**Wikidata**: [Q16061319](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16061319)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superbird-B1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/superbird-b1

## Summary
Superbird-B1 is a Japanese communications satellite launched on February 26, 1992, into geostationary orbit. It was deployed using an Ariane 44L rocket from the ELA-2 launch complex as part of Japan's telecommunications infrastructure development.

## Key Facts
- Country of origin: Japan
- Launch date: February 26, 1992
- COS ID: 1992-010A
- Launch vehicle: Ariane 44L
- Launch site: ELA-2 (Guiana Space Center)
- Orbit type: Geostationary orbit
- SCN value: 21893
- Wikipedia available in: English, Portuguese
- Sitelink count: 2

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Superbird-B1?
A: Superbird-B1 was designed as a communications satellite to facilitate telecommunications services for Japan, providing relay capabilities for various communication needs including television broadcasting and data transmission.

### Q: Which rocket launched Superbird-B1 into orbit?
A: Superbird-B1 was launched by an Ariane 44L rocket, which belongs to the Ariane 4 series of launch vehicles developed by the European Space Agency.

### Q: Where was Superbird-B1 launched from?
A: The satellite was launched from ELA-2 (Ensemble de Lancement Ariane 2) at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, which was the primary launch site for Ariane rockets at the time.

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID for Superbird-B1?
A: Superbird-B1 has the COSPAR ID 1992-010A, which identifies it as the first artificial object launched into orbit in 1992.

## Why It Matters
Superbird-B1 represents Japan's entry into advanced satellite communication infrastructure, supporting the country's technological sovereignty and global telecommunications capabilities. As one of Japan's early geostationary communications satellites, it played a crucial role in expanding telecommunications coverage across Japan and surrounding regions. The satellite's deployment by the Ariane 44L rocket demonstrated international cooperation in space technology, as Japan utilized European launch capabilities to achieve its space communication objectives. This satellite contributed to the development of Japan's space industry, paving the way for more advanced communication satellites and supporting the growing demand for satellite-based services in the 1990s and beyond.

## Notable For
- Being one of Japan's early geostationary communications satellites specifically designed for telecommunications services
- Launched on February 26, 1992, with COSPAR ID 1992-010A
- Deployed using an Ariane 44L rocket from the ELA-2 launch complex
- Operated in geostationary orbit, providing continuous coverage over its designated region
- Having SCN value 21893, which identifies it in satellite catalog systems

## Body
### Basic Information
- Entity type: Communications satellite
- Country: Japan
- SCN (Satellite Catalog Number): 21893
- COSPAR ID: 1992-010A
- Orbit: Geostationary orbit
- Sitelink count: 2

### Launch Details
- Launch date: February 26, 1992
- Launch vehicle: Ariane 44L (Ariane 4 series)
- Launch site: ELA-2 (Guiana Space Center)
- Launch operator: Arianespace (for the Ariane rocket)

### Technical Classification
- Class: Communications satellite
- Function: Designed for telecommunications
- Related entities: Ariane 44L (rocket)

### Digital Presence
- Wikipedia title: Superbird-B1
- Wikipedia languages: English, Portuguese
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/1pwgtfjb4
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "21893"]

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report