ILS Launches Loral-Built MBSAT Satellite For Japan-Korean JV

SPACEMART

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Palo Alto - Mar 15, 2004
The MBSAT broadcast communications satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for Mobile Broadcasting Corporation (MBCO) of Japan and SK Telecom of Korea, was successfully launched at 12:40 am EST March 13, 2004. The satellite was sent into space on an International Launch Services (ILS) Atlas III rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The MBSAT satellite will be positioned at 144 degrees East longitude, where it will deliver high-quality music, video and data to mobile users in Japan and Korea through a variety of mobile terminals, including those in cars, ships, trains, handheld terminals, personal digital assistants, cellular phones and home portables. A very small antenna will be sufficient to receive these broadcast signals even inside buildings and in vehicles moving at high speeds.

"The MBSAT satellite will host one of the most cutting edge applications driving the satellite industry beyond basic broadcasting," said C. Patrick DeWitt, president, Space Systems/Loral. "SS/L has built a reliable, powerful and flexible spacecraft that will provide numerous multimedia applications in Japan and Korea for years to come."

The satellite carries two high power transponders for direct broadcasting services, with one transponder providing coverage for Japan and the other for Korea.

Two additional transponders provide links to terrestrial repeater networks, which augment the satellite broadcast signal. Each transponder has an operating bandwidth of 25 Mhz, allowing more than 50 channels of audio, video and data services.

The new spacecraft uses SS/L's space-proven three-axis, body-stabilized 1300 bus, tailored for the MBSAT payload. This payload combines high power phase matched transmitters with a 12-meter unfurlable reflector, providing exceptional coverage and quality of service.

SS/L's satellites are designed to achieve long useful orbital life through use of bipropellant propulsion and momentum-bias systems for excellent stationkeeping and orbital stability.

The MBSAT on orbit performance is further enhanced by use of Stationary Plasma Thrusters for orbital maneuvers. A system of high-efficiency solar arrays and lightweight batteries provide over 7400 watts of uninterrupted electrical power over the 12 years of satellite life.

Mobile Broadcasting Corporation was established to provide cars and mobile terminals with digital satellite broadcasting for audio, video and data services throughout Japan.

MBCO's new broadcasting system was authorized by the Japanese Government and registered with the ITU. MBCO's major shareholders are Toshiba, SK Telecom, NTT Data, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, Toyota, Fujitsu, Nippon TV and Panasonic.

So far 55 Japanese companies are MBCO partners. Several foreign companies own significant interests in the MBCO business venture while many others are currently considering investment.

SPACEMART

Com Dev Awarded $6.3 Million Commercial Satellite Contract

Cambridge - Mar 10, 2004
COM DEV International Ltd. has received a major contract to provide core COM DEV products and subsystems to a US customer for a large commercial satellite program. The contract is worth $4.8 Million US (Approximately $6.3 million CDN).

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