PARIS — Space Systems Loral (SSL) will build the BSat-4a direct-to-home television broadcast satellite for Broadcast Satellite System Corp. (B-Sat) of Japan under a contract that both companies announced June 18.
Industry officials had said the contract for the satellite, which is relatively small for SSL, came down to a final battle between Palo Alto, California-based SSL, owned by MDA Corp. of Canada, and Orbital ATK of Dulles, Virginia.
BSat said the satellite is intended for launch in late 2017, but it did not announce a launch-service provider.
BSat-4a will carry 24 Ku-band transponders and will ensure continuous service from B-Sat by replacing a retiring satellite. B-Sat currently operates three satellites.
