Double Success as Two Boeing-Built Satellites Enter Service
Two popular communications satellite models have been delivered to long-term customers marking a major milestone for Boeing Space and Communications (S&C), a unit of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA].
The satellites were JCSAT-8, a Boeing 601 satellite built for JSAT Corporation and ASTRA 3A, a Boeing 376 satellite built for SES ASTRA by Boeing Satellite Systems of El Segundo, Calif. Both were launched on March 28 from the Guiana Space Center and subsequently underwent a complex series of successful technical tests and final checkout.
"Boeing has built a total of 10 satellites for SES and seven for JSAT, and combined, these outstanding spacecraft have provided more than 83 years of in-orbit service over a span of 22 years," said Randy Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems, the satellite operations arm of Boeing S&C. "These customers have repeatedly placed their faith and trust in Boeing, and we promise to keep delivering."
SES of Luxembourg accepted the ASTRA 3A satellite on April 23. It is the 10th satellite Boeing has built for SES and will help meet growing demand for SES' digital satellite services to the German-speaking markets of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The first Boeing-built satellite for SES was launched in 1993.
JSAT of Japan accepted JCSAT-8 on May 9. It is the seventh Boeing satellite to join the JSAT fleet and will provide service to Japan, East Asia, Oceania and Hawaii. The first Boeing-built JSAT satellite was launched in 1989.
Boeing S&C, headquartered in Seal Beach, Calif., is the world's largest space and communications company. A unit of The Boeing Company, S&C provides integrated solutions in launch services, human space flight and exploration, missile defense, and information and communications. It is NASA's largest contractor; a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; and a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The global enterprise has customers worldwide and manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Australia.
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