Japanese satellite operator Sky Perfect JSAT is currently looking to procure five new spacecraft to expand its next-generation satellite business, its CEO has said.
In a letter to staff released on 1 April, Shinji Takada said each of the satellites…
Japanese satellite operator Sky Perfect JSAT is currently looking to procure five new spacecraft to expand its next-generation satellite business, its CEO has said.
In a letter to staff released on 1 April, Shinji Takada said each of the satellites “will play a key role in our strategy for future business expansion and growth”.
Sky Perfect JSAT has a fleet of 16 satellites in operation, covering Asia, Russia, Oceania, the Middle East and North America.
Earlier this year, the operator contracted SpaceX to launch its JCSAT-14 satellite in the second half of 2015, replacing JCSAT-2A at 154E.
JSAT ordered JCSAT-14 from Space Systems Loral back in June 2013. Based on SSL’s 1300 platform, the spacecraft will comprise 26 C-band and 18 Ku-band transponders.
Previous satellites have been built by Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Orbital Sciences and Melco.
Takada also said in his letter that JSAT is looking to take part in joint projects outside Japan. Late last year, the company confirmed it was in talks with Indonesian operator Indosat about cooperation opportunities in Asia.
A few weeks later, the CEO of Indosat, Alexander Rusli, told SatelliteFinance that Sky Perfect JSAT was “one of the potential partners to launch Palapa-E at the 150.5E orbital slot”. Palapa-E is being constructed by Orbital Sciences and is due to be launched in 2016.
In the third quarter which ended on 31 December 2013, Sky Perfect JSAT had revenues of Y41.4bn (US$409m), a 5% increase on Q3 a year ago. Its operating income was Y6.08bn (US$60.1m), while its EBITDA stood at Y12.12bn (US$119.8m), both up compared to December 2012.
