Arianespace announced June 14 that the Broadcasting Satellite System Corp. of Japan (BSat) awarded Arianespace a contract to launch the BSat-3a spacecraft. The satellite will be launched on an Ariane 5 launcher in the second quarter of 2007 from Arianespace’s Kourou, French Guiana-based spaceport.

BSat-3a is being built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems. It is based on the A2100 platform and will have a design life of more than 13 years. The satellite, which will be located at 110 degrees East, will carry eight Ku-band transponders and will provide direct-to-home broadcasting services to subscribers throughout Japan.

The value of the launch contract was not disclosed.