SSL to Build New Satellite for B-SAT

Artist’s rendition of the BSAT 4a satellite. Photo: SSL

[Via Satellite 06-19-2015] Japanese satellite operator Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) has selected Space Systems/Loral (SSL) to build a new satellite for Direct-to-Home (DTH) television services. The new BSAT 4a satellite will use the SSL 1300 satellite platform, supporting 24 Ku-band transponders for a range of television services including High Definition (HD), 4K and 8K Ultra-HD. The design life of the satellite is 15 years or more. BSAT 4a is SSL’s fourth satellite award in Japan in the past two years.

B-SAT operates its broadcasting satellites in 12GHz Broadcast Satellite Services (BSS) band in Japan. Established in April 1993, the company currently owns and manages three satellites, BSAT 3a, BSAT 3b and BSAT 3c. The number of BSS digital broadcasting receivers in Japan is now more than 140 million.