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Arianespace wins Intelsat/SKY Perfect JSAT launch

April 20, 2017

By Chris Forrester

Arianespace says that it has won the launch contract for an upcoming joint Intelsat (Horizons 3e) and SKY Perfect-JSAT satellite. Boeing is building the satellite and it should be ready for launch towards the end of 2018.

The Horizons 3e portion of the joint-mission satellite will complete Intelsat’s global Epic network. The high-throughput satellite’s C-band and Ku-band transponders will provide 22 Gbps+ in growth capacity for aeronautical and maritime mobility applications spanning from Asia and the Pacific to North America. Horizons 3e is also expected to support further development of specialty networks for governments. The spacecraft will weigh 6,500 kg.at lift-off.

“Arianespace is extremely proud that Intelsat and SKY Perfect JSAT is entrusting us with yet another satellite. We are delighted to be working with these two great leaders, who have always placed their trust in Arianespace,” said Arianespace CEO Stéphane Israël. “It is a special honour to be able to announce this contract during our annual Japan Week activities in Tokyo.”

“Horizons 3e will complete the Intelsat EpicNG network, creating a global footprint and enabling high throughput services for our cruise, aeronautical and broadband customers in the Asia-Pacific region. It is only natural that we would entrust this important launch to our reliable partner, Arianespace”, added Ken Lee, SVP/Space Systems at Intelsat.

“Horizons 3e is a significant project for both Intelsat and SKY Perfect JSAT. It will lead to the expansion of our next-generation business in Asia and the Pacific,” said Koki Koyama, Director of the Board & Senior Managing Executive Officer of SKY Perfect JSAT. “We are grateful to work once again with our good partner Arianespace and thus ensure the launch period to start the services as soon as practicable.”

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