Japan’s Sky Perfect JSAT has tapped US-based Space Systems Loral to build two of the five satellites it announced plans for earlier this month.
The operator aims to have the new JCSAT-15 and JCSAT-16 spacecraft launched in 2016 to meet growing demand…
Japan’s Sky Perfect JSAT has tapped US-based Space Systems Loral to build two of the five satellites it announced plans for earlier this month.
The operator aims to have the new JCSAT-15 and JCSAT-16 spacecraft launched in 2016 to meet growing demand for telecoms infrastructure across Asia Pacific.
JCSAT-15 will replace its N-SAT110 bird at 110E, where it will use Ku-band to expand capabilities across Japan and the India Ocean, in addition to providing legacy services. JCSAT-16 will have Ku and Ka band transponders designed for a broad range of orbital locations, and will serve as a back-up to the operator’s existing fleet that currently stands at 16 satellites.
Both are based on SSL’s 1300 satellite platform and represents the manufacturer’s first GEO communication satellite awards of the year. JCSAT is not thought to be seeking export credit agency financing to support the deal.
SSL was hired to build the group’s last satellite JCSAT-14 in a move away from its long-preferred supplier Lockheed Martin.
JCSAT-14 is also based on the SSL 1300 satellite platform, and is set to be launched by SpaceX in the second half of 2015 to replace JCSAT-2A at 154E.
SSL president John Celli said: “Our first satellite for SKY Perfect JSAT began construction last June and we believe there is no better endorsement of our success than repeat orders from a satisfied customer. We look forward to continuing to support SKY Perfect JSAT’s business with our flexible satellite products for many years to come.”
Shinji Takada, JSAT’s CEO, said in a letter to staff on 1 April that it was looking to procure five new satellites, adding that the group is seeking joint projects outside of Japan.
SSL was sold to Canadian space technology MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) in 2012 for US$875m in cash.
* Update 24 April* JSAT picks Mitsubishi to replace Superbird-B2
Sky Perfect JSAT has picked local player Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to build the successor for its Superbird-B2 satellite that entered service back in April 2000.
The new Superbird-8 spacecraft will come with Ku and Ka band beams and is aiming for a launch in the second half of 2015 to 162E, where it will mainly cover the Japanese market.
It will be based on the DS2000 bus that was first used for the Japan Meteorological Agency’s MTSAT-2 bird in 2006.
