The high throughput satellite (HTS), JCSAT 18, spacecraft was formally ordered from Boeing by its prospective Asian owners SKY Perfect JSAT, Japan, and Kacific Broadband Satellites, Singapore. The communications satellite which will carry both Ka and Ku-band payloads will be delivered to a Geostationary Earth Orbit during 2019. The spacecraft will use a version of the Boeing 702 bus/platform design.
The satellite is planned to provide mobile high thoughput services over the Asia Pacific region as well as traditional wide-beam coverage over East Asia to ease the strain on the cellular telephone backhaul communications load. Most of the 57 beam, Ka-band communications payload has been transferred to the Singapore-based firm Kacific Broadband Satellites, hence why it has Kacific-1 as an alternative name.
Artist’s impression of JCSAT-18 in orbit. Courtesy: Boeing
