SSL has announced that it has been selected to manufacture BSAT-4b, the latest broadcasting satellite of Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT), one of Japan’s leading satellite operators. BSAT-4a wil complement the company’s existing satellites in providing Direct-to-Home (DTH) television satellite to ensure exceptional ultra-high definition video distribution for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“We are honored to provide a second satellite to B-SAT that will help ensure high-quality distribution of the 2020 Olympic Games,” said Dario Zamarian, Group President of SSL. “We believe there is no greater endorsement of our capabilities than repeat orders from satisfied satellite operators and we look forward to continuing our good relationship with our partners at B-SAT.”
SSL delivered BSAT-4a to B-SAT, which was launched in November 2017. BSAT-4b will be a similar high-performance Ku-band broadcasting satellite. BSAT-4b will be co-located with BSAT-4a at 110 degrees East, and will function as a back-up that will secure highly-reliable services.
“SSL completed BSAT-4a ahead of schedule and it is successfully operating on orbit,” said Takashi Yabashi, president and chief executive officer of B-SAT. “We are pleased to extend our very good relationship with SSL to continue our partnership on the BSAT-4b spacecraft.”
BSAT-4b is designed to provide service for 15 years or longer, and is based on the SSL 1300 platform, like BSAT-4a. Currently, B-SAT has four operational satellites, BSAT-3a, -3b, and -3c, all built by Lockheed Martin, along with SSL’s BSAT-4a.
