Boeing to Build Third SUPERBIRD Satellite for Japan
Boeing Satellite
Systems, a unit of The Boeing Company, signed a contract on
Sept. 28, 2001 with Space Communications Corporation (SCC) of Tokyo
for a Boeing 601 communications satellite.
The satellite, designated SUPERBIRD-6, is scheduled to launch in
the third quarter of 2003. SCC will select the launch vehicle at a
later date.
“Boeing is very honored to build its third SUPERBIRD satellite for
SCC,” said Randy Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems. “Our
first, SUPERBIRD-C, was launched in July 1997, then SUPERBIRD-4 was
launched in February 2000. These satellites, along with SUPERBIRD-6,
have established a strong continued relationship with SCC, and we are
pleased that they have returned to us once again to meet their
satellite needs.”
SUPERBIRD-6, slated for an orbital slot at 158.0 degrees East
longitude, will provide business telecommunication services using
Japan Beam and Steerable Beam. The satellite has a payload of 23
active Ku-band transponders and four Ka-band transponders.
“SCC is very pleased to work with BSS,” said Teruhiko Ena,
president of Space Communications Corporation. “Two satellites built
by HSC (Currently BSS) are working very well. We expect BSS will
provide a high quality and reliable satellite again on time, and also
hope that our partnership with Boeing can be strengthened in various
fields.”
Space Communications Corporation (SCC), a Japanese satellite
communications service company, was established in 1985 by Mitsubishi
Corporation (MC), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO), and other
Mitsubishi Group Companies. SCC now operates four communications
satellites named SUPERBIRD-A, B2, C, and D at four orbital slot, by
which SCC is providing stable and high quality telecommunication
services to a wide range of customers.
SUPERBIRD is the name of the series of high-performance
communications satellites owned and operated by SCC.
Boeing is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial
communications satellites and a major provider of space systems,
satellites and payloads for national defense, science and
environmental applications.
The Boeing Company is the largest aerospace company in the world
and the United States’ leading exporter. It is NASA’s largest
contractor and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and
military aircraft. The company’s capabilities in aerospace also
include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket
engines, launch vehicles, satellites, and advanced information and
communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with
customers in 145 countries.
