HD Broadcasting, Broadband to Boost Satellite-Launch Biz in
Keita Mochizuki,
:nana:
Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman and CEO of Arianespace S A
Arianespace S A, a satellite launching company whose headquarters are based in France, expects that Japanese companies will ask it to launch commercial satellites mainly for the use of high-definition broadcasting and broadband services, said Jean-Yves Le Gall, the company's chairman and CEO. He made a speech at a regular news conference April 10, 2008.
Arianespace launches about 12 commercial satellites such as broadcast satellites and communication satellites every year. Though it normally launches only one satellite per year for Japanese companies, "Japanese companies launch satellites most regularly of all countries," said Jacques Roelandts, manager of the company. Japan is the second most important country in the global satellite launching market next to the US, he said.
Arianespace plans to launch a satellite owned by a Japanese company in each of 2008 and 2009. In summer 2008, it will launch a communication satellite "Superbird 7" for Space Communications Corp. The Superbird 7 will replace "Superbird C" (144°E), whose operating life will come to an end in the next few years.
Space Communications expects that the Superbird 7 will be used mainly for cable-TV providers in Japan. For example, it will be used for "HITS (Headend in the Sky)" services, where content developers outside Japan deliver their TV programs to those providers.
In summer 2009, Arianespace plans to launch a communication satellite "JCSAT-12" for JSAT Corp. The JCSAT-12, as a successor of "JCSAT-R," will be a backup satellite for the two satellites (124 and 128°E) that are used for "SKY PerfecTV!," a multichannel service provided by Sky Perfect Communications Inc.
As for the satellite broadband services, BBSAT will launch a broadband Internet service by using "Superbird B2," a satellite owned by Space Communications, in fiscal 2009. The operating life of the Superbird B2 is expected to end in about 2015. Therefore, Space Communications is planning to launch its successor in 2013 or 2014.
However, a satellite launching company will be chosen from now in consideration of the capability, stability and economic rationality, the company said.
As a negative factor for Arianespace, the operating life of satellites is now longer than before. The expected life of JSAT's first satellite, which was launched in 1989, was only about 10 years, JSAT said. But now, the expected life of its new satellites is about 15 years.
The expected life was extended because the size of satellites became larger and more fuel or battery can be mounted in a satellite. In addition, the digitalization of broadcasting narrowed the frequency band needed to broadcast a program, and fuel can now be used more efficiently, JSAT said.
Keita Mochizuki,
:nana:
Jean-Yves Le Gall, chairman and CEO of Arianespace S A
Arianespace S A, a satellite launching company whose headquarters are based in France, expects that Japanese companies will ask it to launch commercial satellites mainly for the use of high-definition broadcasting and broadband services, said Jean-Yves Le Gall, the company's chairman and CEO. He made a speech at a regular news conference April 10, 2008.
Arianespace launches about 12 commercial satellites such as broadcast satellites and communication satellites every year. Though it normally launches only one satellite per year for Japanese companies, "Japanese companies launch satellites most regularly of all countries," said Jacques Roelandts, manager of the company. Japan is the second most important country in the global satellite launching market next to the US, he said.
Arianespace plans to launch a satellite owned by a Japanese company in each of 2008 and 2009. In summer 2008, it will launch a communication satellite "Superbird 7" for Space Communications Corp. The Superbird 7 will replace "Superbird C" (144°E), whose operating life will come to an end in the next few years.
Space Communications expects that the Superbird 7 will be used mainly for cable-TV providers in Japan. For example, it will be used for "HITS (Headend in the Sky)" services, where content developers outside Japan deliver their TV programs to those providers.
In summer 2009, Arianespace plans to launch a communication satellite "JCSAT-12" for JSAT Corp. The JCSAT-12, as a successor of "JCSAT-R," will be a backup satellite for the two satellites (124 and 128°E) that are used for "SKY PerfecTV!," a multichannel service provided by Sky Perfect Communications Inc.
As for the satellite broadband services, BBSAT will launch a broadband Internet service by using "Superbird B2," a satellite owned by Space Communications, in fiscal 2009. The operating life of the Superbird B2 is expected to end in about 2015. Therefore, Space Communications is planning to launch its successor in 2013 or 2014.
However, a satellite launching company will be chosen from now in consideration of the capability, stability and economic rationality, the company said.
As a negative factor for Arianespace, the operating life of satellites is now longer than before. The expected life of JSAT's first satellite, which was launched in 1989, was only about 10 years, JSAT said. But now, the expected life of its new satellites is about 15 years.
The expected life was extended because the size of satellites became larger and more fuel or battery can be mounted in a satellite. In addition, the digitalization of broadcasting narrowed the frequency band needed to broadcast a program, and fuel can now be used more efficiently, JSAT said.