Arianespace announced that it will launch BSAT-4b, under the
term of a turnkey contract between B-SAT and Maxar’s SSL.
BSAT-4b will be launched by an Ariane 5 in 2020 from the
Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French
Guiana, as part of a turnkey contract between the Japanese
satellite operator B-SAT and the California-based satellite
manufacturer SSL.
Since the creation of B-SAT, Arianespace has launched all
nine of its satellites.
BSAT-4b will be the 10th
satellite launched for B-SAT and the 32nd
commercial geostationary satellite launch contract awarded
to Arianespace in Japan.
Built by SSL, a Maxar Technologies company, using a 1300
platform, BSAT-4b will feature 24 Ku-band transponders. It
will weigh about 3,520 kg at launch and is designed to have
a nominal service life of at least 15 years. It will be
positioned in geostationary orbit at 110 degrees East.
BSAT-4b will serve as a back-up of BSAT-4a, which was
launched by Arianespace in September 2017. It will have the
same Japan archipelago footprint as BSAT-4a, providing
Direct-To-Home (DTH) television to ensure exceptional 4K/8K
ultra-high definition (UHD) video distribution for the 2020
Tokyo Olympic Games.
Following the signature of this contract, Stéphane Israël,
CEO of Arianespace, said: “Only seven months after the
successful launch of BSAT-4a in September 2017, we are
honored to have been selected for the launch of BSAT-4b for
our long-lasting partner B-SAT. This new Ariane 5 launch
contract is a clear demonstration of the excellent
relationships between Arianespace, SSL and the Japanese
operator B-SAT, for whom we have launched the entire fleet
of satellites since 1997. We are proud to serve one more
time the Japanese market and to actively participate to the
implementation of B-SAT’s ambitious projects, in partnership
with SSL.”
