SkyPerfect-JSAT orders 2 new satellites
April 17, 2014
By Chris Forrester
Japan’s SkyPerfect-JSAT is ordering two giant new satellites to add to its existing fleet of 16 craft. The two satellites, JSAT-15 and 16 will be used to meet “growing demand for telecommunications infrastructure in the AsiaPac region”. The orders have gone to Space Systems/Loral.
JCSAT-15 is a 10-kW satellite which will be located at 110 degrees East where it replaces the N-SAT110 satellite currently on orbit. In addition to providing legacy service it will also provide expansion capability and it is designed with the flexibility to adjust its coverage of Japan and the Indian Ocean Region to serve the areas with the highest demand.
JCSAT-16 is an 8.5-kW satellite which is designed to be used at a broad range of orbital locations. When launched it will ensure continuous service and it will be available as a back-up to the existing fleet. Both satellites are Ku-band craft.
SkyPerfectTV is about to start transmitting 4K signals and has some 3.7 million subscribers in Japan.