Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation (President and CEO: Tamotsu Nomakuchi) hereafter,
Mitsubishi Electric, announced that the Optus C1 satellite was
successfully launched on June 12 and completed in-orbit testing on
July 18. The Optus C1 satellite is a major communications satellite
for Australia’s SingTel Optus Ltd. (hereafter, “Optus”). This
signifies the successful delivery of said satellite to Optus by
Mitsubishi Electric.
History of Satellite Delivery
Optus is Australia’s second largest communications carrier and has
previously launched five telecommunications satellites. Three of these
are still operational. Optus announced it would procure the Optus C1
satellite in July 1997 to meet expanding satellite communication
demand in the Oceania and Asia regions. A request for tender (RFT) was
issued in February 1998 and Mitsubishi Electric became the primary
contractor in a joint bid with Space Systems/Loral (hereafter, “SS/L”)
of America in April of the same year. This was followed by a bid
review that included an inspection of the Mitsubishi Electric plant
and following successful contract negotiations, Mitsubishi Electric’s
bid successfully won among the Western competitors. With the securing
of this contract in October 1999, Mitsubishi Electric became the first
Japanese manufacturer to conclude a business contract for commercial
satellites bound for overseas. In correlation with the conclusion of
the contract, Mitsubishi Electric started full-on design and
manufacture of the Optus C1 satellite, and promoted and managed the
overall project as the prime contractor for the satellite system. In
addition, Mitsubishi Electric also assumed responsibility for
production of communications payload for satellites. SS/L assumed
responsibility for TT&C equipment on the ground and the satellite bus
along with the final assembly and test of the satellite.
The Optus C1 satellite is a large communications satellite with a
suite of 16 antennas. Mitsubishi Electric tackled its design and
production through the introduction and utilization of the latest
plant and research center technology. As a result, in January of this
year the Optus C1 satellite cleared all on-ground performance tests
and was transported to the satellite launch site of Arianespace in
French Guiana.
On June 12, the Optus C1 satellite was successfully launched along
with the Japan Broadcasting Corporation’s (NHK’s) BSAT-2C on an
Ariane-5G rocket with separation of the satellites going well.
Geostationary orbit was entered on June 20. In-orbit tests were
conducted for approximately the next month and all Optus C1 satellite
functions were found to be performing well. It was also confirmed that
the performance results accurately reflected the results of the ground
tests. The satellite was delivered to Optus for operational service on
July 18.
Satellite Overview
The Optus C1 satellite is one of the largest commercial
communication satellites with a weight of about 5 tons at the time of
launch. The satellite is located in a geostationary orbit at east
longitude 156(degrees) above Papua New Guinea. Its communication
service centrally serves Australia and New Zealand as well as East
Asia, Southeast Asia and Hawaii. The satellite will provide CATV
delivery, Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasting, telephone, Internet
service and the like.
The Optus C1 satellite's primary specifications are as follows:
Launch weight: 4,725kg
Weight in orbit: 2,000kg (approximate)
External dimensions: 8.2m x 7.8m x 24.9m
Position control system: 3-axial stabilizing system
Generated power: 10.6kw (at end of design lifetime)
Design lifetime: 15 years
Operating orbit position: East longitude 156(degrees)
Coverage: Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii
and Asia Pacific
Mitsubishi Electric’s Overseas Commercial Satellite Measures
Over the past 30 years Mitsubishi Electric has been the primary
contractor in nearly half of the aerospace development projects
promoted by the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) of Japan. In
this way, Mitsubishi Electric has built up its position as a leading
manufacturer in Japanese aerospace development today. Simultaneously,
Mitsubishi Electric has participated in 280 overseas satellite
projects by providing satellite equipment and such.
Few Western manufacturers dominate the overseas commercial
satellite market. Within this situation, Mitsubishi Electric’s
securing of the Optus C1 satellite order as the prime contractor marks
the first triumph for a Japanese manufacturer. Mitsubishi Electric is
confident that this successful satellite delivery has secured their
position as a satellite systems manufacturer in the market. Mitsubishi
Electric will make full use of the opportunity provided by this
successful project to proactively seek further satellite system orders
by implementing measures towards full-fledged entry into the overseas
commercial satellite market including the building of a test assembly
plant for large satellites at its Kamakura Works.
(Reference Information)
*SingTel Optus Ltd.
1. Address: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
2. CEO: Chris Anderson
3. Business description: A subsidiary of Singapore's Singapore
Telecommunications Limited and the
second largest communications firm in
Australia. In addition to mobile and
long-distance communications, it is also
involved in the cable TV business.
4. Established: 1981 - Initially established as the
government owned satellite
operator, Aussat
1992 - Changed name to Optus
Communications in line with
privatization.
1998 - England's Cable & Wireless
invests in the firm and it is
listed. Changed name to Cable &
Wireless Optus Limited.
2001 - The company became a wholly owned
subsidiary of Singapore
Telecommunications Limited,
and changed its name to SingTel
Optus Pty. Limited.
**Space Systems/Loral
1. Address: Palo Alto, California, U.S.A
2. President: Pat Dewitt
3. Business description: Space Systems/Loral is a premier
designer, manufacturer, and integrator
of powerful satellites and satellite
systems. SS/L also provides a range of
related services that include mission
control operations and procurement of
launch services. The company has an
international base of commercial and
governmental customers whose
applications include broadband digital
communications, direct-to-home
broadcast, defense communications,
environmental monitoring, and air
traffic control. Among Japanese
commercial satellites, it has
manufactured the Super Bird A&B,
N-Star A&B and MTSAT-1.
4. Established: By acquiring Ford Aerospace in 1990
About Mitsubishi Electric
With over 80 years of experience in providing reliable,
high-quality products to both corporate clients and general consumers
all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a
recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of
electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and
communications, space development and satellite communications,
consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation
and building equipment. The company has operations in 35 countries and
recorded consolidated group sales of 3,639 billion yen (US$30.3
billion*) in the year ended March 31, 2003. For more information,
visit http://global.mitsubishielectric.com
by the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market on March 31, 2003.
