Arianespace Successfully Launches Telecom Satellites for Japan and Vietnam

In the early evening at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana an Ariane 5 successfully launched two telecommunication satellites for Japan and Vietnam. It was the 48th consecutive success launch for the Ariane 5, the 300th and 301st satellites launched by Arianespace from French Guiana, and the 100th and 101st commercial satellites produced by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems.
The satellites launched were the JCSAT-13 for the Japanese SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation and VINASAT-2 for the the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group.

JCSAT-13 will be positioned in a geostationary orbit at 124 degrees east and is a replacement satellite for JCSAT-4A. It will provide direct TV broadcast links for Japan and provide satellite relay coverage in Southeast Asia Weighing nearly 4,530 kg. at launch, JCSAT-13 is equipped with 44 Ku-band transponders and has a design life exceeding 15 years.

VINASAT-2 follows on the launch of VINASAT-1 on an Ariane 5 flight in April 2008. It is equipped with 24 Ku-band transponders for radio, television and telephone links for Vietnam. Weighing nearly 2,970 kg. at launch, VINASAT-2 will operate from an orbital position at 131.8 degrees east during a design lifetime of 15-plus years.