The Results of Initial Checkup of Japanese Broadcasting Satellite for Experimental Purpose

The Japanese BSE spacecraft was launched Successfully from the United States Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on April 8, 1978 (JST) and placed into its predetermined orbital position of 110 deg. E.. BSE, a three-axis stabilized spacecraft, has two sets of 14/12 GHz transponders with a shaped beam paraborical antenna for experimental TV broadcasting. Initial performance checkup of the BSE on-orbit has been finished and regular experiments started in a program. This paper will present the background of the BSE development, the spacecraft configuration, and the results of launch, tracking and control and initial checkup.