Arianespace to launch the BSAT-3b satellite for Japan

Arianespace has been selected to launch the BSAT-3b satellite by Japanese operator Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT). This was announced today by Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall and B-SAT Corporation President & CEO Kazuo Takenaka during the visit of France's Prime Minister to Tokyo.

The agreement for BSAT-3b's Ariane 5 launch was signed in Tokyo by Arianespace Chairman & CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall and B-SAT Corporation President & CEO Kazuo Takenaka.

BSAT-3b will be orbited by an Ariane 5 in the second half of 2010 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

BSAT-3b is the 7th satellite entrusted to the European launcher by B-SAT Corporation.

In addition, this will be the 25th Japanese satellite won by Arianespace from the 34 GTO commercial satellites that have been commercially accessible.

BSAT-3b will be positioned at 110 degrees East longitude and will be optimized to provide direct-to-home broadcasts from geostationary orbit to subscribers throughout the Japanese archipelago.

"We are proud and honored to once again serve such a faithful and prestigious customer as B-SAT Corporation. Arianespace's choice by a large Japanese operator to orbit its satellite is a major vote of confidence for us, as well as an acknowledgement of the excellence of our Service & Solutions launch offer," Le Gall said.