Loral delivers MTSAT-1R
satellite to Japan
NASA NEWS RELEASE
Posted: March 21, 2004
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) announced that it has completed
integration and testing of the MTSAT-1R satellite and has shipped
the spacecraft to Japan's space center in Tanegashima, Japan,
where it will await launch on a H-2A rocket. MTSAT-1R was built
for the Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) and Japanese
Meteorological Agency, both of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure
and Transport (MLIT).
An artist's concept of the satellite deployed in space. Credit: Loral
"SS/L is proud to deliver the state-of-the art MTSAT-1R
multifunctional satellite to our customers in Japan," said C. Patrick
DeWitt, president, Space Systems/Loral. "The unique design of this
spacecraft combines SS/L's long heritage of building reliable
weather monitoring satellites with advanced air traffic control
capabilities."
From its geosynchronous orbital position at 140 degrees East
longitude, MTSAT-1R will carry aeronautical services and a
meteorological payload on one satellite. Operating in L-band, the
satellite will provide communications and navigational services for
aircraft, and will gather weather data for users throughout the entire
Asia-Pacific region -- as far south as Australia and New Zealand.
Japan's Civil Aviation Bureau will use MTSAT-1R to increase the
efficiency of aircraft flight routes, provide flexible flight profile
planning, enhance air travel safety, and improve the quality of
aeronautical communications. The Japanese Meteorological Agency
(JMA) will use MTSAT-1R to deliver observed data to a processing
station and provide cloud imagery and continuous weather data from
around the region, such as cloud and water vapor distributions,
cloud-motion wind vector, sea surface temperature, and information
on typhoon, low pressure, and frontal activity.
MTSAT-1R is a version of SS/L's space-proven three-axis,
body-stabilized 1300 bus. SS/L's satellites are designed to achieve
long useful orbital life through use of bipropellant propulsion and
momentum-bias systems for excellent station-keeping and orbital
stability. A system of high-efficiency solar arrays and lightweight
batteries provide uninterrupted electrical power. SS/L satellites have
amassed more than 1000 years of reliable on-orbit service.
MTSAT-1R uses many of the same technologies developed for the
most recently deployed U.S. Geostationary Operational
Environmental Satellite program, called GOES, for which SS/L was
the prime contractor. SS/L manufactured five GOES satellites (I-M)
under contract to the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) for delivery to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for operations.
In 2003, SS/L was awarded one of the advanced architecture study
contracts for the GOES-R series of spacecraft. The contracts are
designed to help NOAA define future GOES-R requirements, by
analyzing different, commercially viable architectures. Each has a
12-month term, with a potential option of six additional months.
Through these contracts, NOAA plans to acquire research and
advanced technology information about end-to-end system
alternatives from commercial specialists in the aerospace,
communications, and data management fields. GOES-R is
scheduled for launch in 2012.
NOAA's GOES satellite provides data products to the commercial,
educational, and public sectors to protect lives, property and the
environment, and to foster economic growth and promote
educational research. The future GOES-R mission is expected to
improve the quality and timeliness of environmental (weather and
water) forecasts, provide a further understanding of climate
variability, help in the management of ecosystems, and allow for the
efficient transportation of commerce systems, expanding the safety
and economic security of the public.
In addition to its work with NOAA, SS/L is a significant provider of
both environmental and telecommunications satellites for the
Japanese market. The company has built 15 satellites for Japan,
including the first two SUPERBIRD telecommunications satellites
and two N-STAR communications satellites for Nippon Telegraph
& Telephone (NTT), one of the world's largest telephone
companies. Earlier this month, the SS/L-built MBSAT satellite was
successfully launched for Mobile Broadcasting Corporation
(MBCO) of Japan and SK Telecom of Korea.
Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space &
Communications (OTCBB: LRLSQ), is a premier designer,
manufacturer, and integrator of powerful satellites and satellite
systems. SS/L also provides a range of related services that include
mission control operations and procurement of launch services.
Based in Palo Alto, Calif., the company has an international base of
commercial and governmental customers whose applications include
broadband digital communications, direct-to-home broadcast,
defense communications, environmental monitoring, and air traffic
control. SS/L is ISO 9001:2000 certified.
Loral Space & Communications is a satellite communications
company. In addition to Space Systems/Loral, Loral, through its
Skynet subsidiary, owns and operates a fleet of telecommunications
satellites used to broadcast video entertainment programming, and
for broadband data transmission, Internet services and other
value-added communications services. |
