Arianespace to launch JCSAT-15 for SKY Perfect JSAT satellite

September 8, 2014

Japanese operator SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation has chosen Arianespace to launch JCSAT-15 communication satellite, Mr. Shinji Takada, Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, and Mr. Stéphane Israël, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace, announced. 

JCSAT-15 will be launched by Ariane 5 in 2016 from the Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.  

For the quarter century since the launch of JCSAT-1 in 1989, SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, one of the world’s leading operators, and Arianespace have developed a strong relationship of mutual trust. This new satellite will be the 29th Japanese satellite launched by Arianespace.  

Built by Space Systems/Loral based on the SSL1300 platform, JCSAT-15 is designed for a minimum operational lifetime of 15 years. Weighing about 3,400kg at launch, main coverage of JCSAT-15 will include Japan, Oceania and the Indian Ocean. 

Mr. Shinji Takada said, "We at SKY Perfect JSAT signed with Arianespace a contract to launch our JCSAT-15 satellite in 2016. JCSAT-15 will be used to broadcast our main service, the SKY PerfecTV!, multichannel pay TV service, from the 110 East geostationary position. We are grateful that we could contract with our good partner Arianespace and thus ensure the stable continuity of our broadcasting service." 

Stéphane Israël said, “We are very proud and honored once again to provide the largest operater in Asia-Pacific region with our service. I would like to thank SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation for continuing to express its trust in us for almost 25 years. This contract is significant mark of confidence in Arianespace, and also clear recognition of the qulity and conpetitiveness of our launch services.”