SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation formally awarded the launch contract for the communication satellite JCSAT-15 to Arianespace on 8 September 2015. JCSAT-15 will be launched by Ariane 5 in 2016 from the Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
Built by Space Systems/Loral based on the LS-1300 platform, JCSAT-15 is designed for a minimum operational lifetime of 15 years. Weighing about 3,400kg at launch, main coverage of JCSAT-15 will include Japan, Oceania and the Indian Ocean from its 110 degrees East geostationary position.
A day later, the Sky Perfect JSAT corporation awarded a launch contract to Arianespace’s new principal competitor, Space X, for the launch of JCSAT-16, the sister spacecraft of JCSAT-15, and which is also being built by Space Systems/Loral.
