WASHINGTON — Mitsubishi Electric Co. (Melco) of Japan said March 22 it has completed a major expansion of its satellite production facility in Kamakura that will double production capacity to eight large satellites per year.
The investment of 3 billion Japanese yen ($36 million) was made in 2011 to capture what Melco says will be increased demand, in Japan and internationally, for telecommunications, navigation and Earth observation satellites.
The company said it plans to double its annual space revenue to $1.9 billion by 2021.
Melco said Japan’s new five-year Basic Plan for Space Policy, announced in January and taking effect as of April 1, makes satellites a priority investment. Melco has been active on the export market the past two years, both for telecommunications and Earth observation satellites.
The company won the two-satellite Turksat order for the Turkish government using its DS 2000 satellite platform.
The expanded Kamakura facility now has a floor area covering 23,800 square meters and is designed to reduce satellite costs and delivery times, Melco said.
