, TOKYO: Arianespace has been selected to launch the BSAT-3b satellite by Japanese operator Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT). This was announced today by Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall and B-SAT Corporation President & CEO Kazuo Takenaka during the visit of France's Prime Minister to Tokyo.
BSAT-3b will be orbited by an Ariane 5 in the second half of 2010 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
BSAT-3b is the 7th satellite entrusted to the European launcher by B-SAT Corporation.
In addition, this will be the 25th Japanese satellite won by Arianespace from the 34 GTO commercial satellites that have been commercially accessible.
BSAT-3b will be positioned at 110 degrees East longitude and will be optimized to provide direct-to-home broadcasts from geostationary orbit to subscribers throughout the Japanese archipelago.
“We are proud and honored to once again serve such a faithful and prestigious customer as B-SAT Corporation. Arianespace's choice by a large Japanese operator to orbit its satellite is a major vote of confidence for us, as well as an acknowledgement of the excellence of our Service & Solutions launch offer,” Le Gall said.
Arianespace is the world's leading launch Service & Solutions company, delivering innovative services and solutions to its customers since 1980. Backed by 23 shareholders, and by the European Space Agency, Arianespace offers an unrivalled launcher family, comprising Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega, and an international workforce renowned for their culture of excellence.
As of March 9, 2008, Arianespace has launched 255 payloads, representing more than 50% of the commercial satellites now in service worldwide. Its order backlog counts nearly 25 Ariane 5 missions and nearly 10 Soyuz flights, which represents more than three years of launch activity.
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