Palo Alto, Calif. – December 22, 2016 — Space Systems Loral (SSL), a leading provider of innovative satellites and spacecraft systems, today announced that the JCSAT-15 satellite, which it designed and built for SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (SKY Perfect JSAT), was launched yesterday and is successfully performing post-launch maneuvers according to plan. The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. It will begin firing its main thruster later today in order to propel it toward its final geosynchronous orbit. The satellite will be used to provide broadcasting and communications services in Japan, Oceania, and the Indian Ocean Region.
“I would like to thank and congratulate the teams at SKY Perfect JSAT, Arianespace, and SSL whose hard work contributed to the successful launch of JCSAT-15,” said John Celli, president of SSL. “We are honored that SKY Perfect JSAT put its trust in SSL to provide three satellites for its updated fleet and we are pleased that all three were placed in orbit this year, as planned.”
Once it goes into service, JCSAT-15 will be called JCSAT-110A, as it will be located at 110 degrees East longitude where it will replace the N-SAT110 satellite as well as provide expansion capability. Operating in Ku-band, the satellite will be used to help broadcast the multichannel pay TV service SKY PerfecTV! in Japan, and will also provide data communications, and maritime and aviation applications for the Oceania and Indian Ocean Region.
“With its record of reliability, robustness and on time delivery, SSL has been an excellent partner in the expansion of our fleet,” said Shinji Takada, Representative Director, President and CEO of SKY Perfect JSAT. “Now that JCSAT-15 has been successfully launched, we look forward to offering our customers expanded Ultra HD, or 4K programming, and helping to fulfill the growing demand for mobile connections.”
JCSAT-15 is based on the highly flexible SSL 1300 platform, which has the capability to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. The satellite was launched together with a second SSL 1300 satellite built for Embratel Star One.
About SKY Perfect JSAT
SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation is a leader in the converging fields of broadcasting and communications. It is Asia’s largest satellite operator with a fleet of 17 satellites, and Japan’s only provider of both multi-channel pay TV broadcasting and satellite communications services. SKY Perfect JSAT delivers a broad range of entertainment through the SKY PerfecTV! platform, the most extensive in Japan with a total of 3 million subscribers. In addition, SKY Perfect JSAT’s satellite communications services, which cover Japan and the rest of Asia, as well as Oceania, Russia, Middle East, Hawaii and North America, play a vital role in supporting safety, security and convenience for society as a whole. For more information, please visit www.sptvjsat.com and www.jsat.net.
About SSL
Space Systems Loral (SSL) is a leading provider of commercial satellites with broad expertise to support satellite operators and innovative space related missions. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft for services such as direct-to-home television, video content distribution, broadband internet, mobile communications, and Earth observation. As a Silicon Valley innovator for more than 50 years, SSL’s advanced product line also includes state-of-the-art small satellites, and sophisticated robotics and automation solutions for remote operations. For more information, visit www.sslmda.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and information, which reflect the current view of Space Systems Loral (SSL) with respect to future events and financial performance. When used in this news release, the words “believes”, “expects”, “plans”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “project”, “intend” or “outlook” or other variations of these words or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Actual results may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Known risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: risks associated with operating satellites and providing satellite services, including satellite construction or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit failures or impaired satellite performance; risks associated with satellite manufacturing, including competition, cyclicality of SSL’s end-user markets, contractual risks, creditworthiness of customers, performance of suppliers and management of SSL’s factory and personnel; risk associated with financial factors such as volatility in exchange rates, increases in interest rates, restrictions on access to capital, and swings in global financial markets; risks associated with domestic and foreign government regulation, including export controls and economic sanctions; and other risks, including litigation. The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. The information contained in this news release reflects SSL’s beliefs, assumptions, intentions, plans and expectations as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, SSL disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise the information herein.
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