2004-03-13　日韓共同の移動通信衛星MBSAT打上げ成功

音声、ビデオ、データサービス等のマルチ機能を有する日韓共同事業の移動通信衛星が打ち上げに成功した。破産したSS/Lが製造し、打ち上げはロッキード・マーチンのアトラス�Vで実施された。衛星の保有企業は日本側がモバイル放送（MBCO)と韓国SKテレコムである。

軌道投入位置は東経144度で、高音質の音楽、ビデオ、データ配信サービスを提供する。高速の移動や屋内等でも小型の受信を設置することで電波を受信することが可能となる。また携帯電話や携帯端末でも受信可能となる。2本の高出力トランスポンダーを搭載しており、直接放送サービスを可能にしている。一本は日本と韓国のエリア用として使用される。衛星バスはSS/L 1300 modelを基本とし、アップリンクをKu-band、ダウンリンクをKu- と　S-band を使用する。

(編集者コメント：モバイル放送は、東芝やトヨタなどの企業が参加するジョイントベンチャーで、世界初のデジタルテレビとラジオ放送を移動受信者に提供する専門の直接報道衛星となる。
衛星打上げ総費用は総額で＄231Mで、移動受信者に高速でテレビとラジオ100チャンネルを提供する。衛星チャンネルは既存移動電話会社によってサービスの提供が予定されている。日本の移動通信ネットワークでは既にテレビやラジオ放送を提供しているが、デジタル方式の衛星放送は移動電話や移動中の車両などに高速でプログラムを携帯端末で受信することが可能となる。モバイル放送は7月にもサービスを開始し、当初はテレビを６チャンネル、ラジオを30チャンネルをサービスプロバイダを通じて提供する。価格は月額1000円から2000円の間を予定しており、2006年までに150万の契約を確保したいとしている。）

Space Systems/Loral-Built MBSAT Satellite Successfully Launched

Japanese-Korean joint venture to offer audio, video and multimedia data services to mobile communications users.

The MBSAT broadcast communications satellite, built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) for Mobile Broadcasting Corporation (MBCO) of Japan and SK Telecom of Korea, was successfully launched at 12:40 am EST today. The satellite was sent into space on an International Launch Services (ILS) Atlas III rocket from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

The MBSAT satellite will be positioned at 144 degrees East longitude, where it will deliver high-quality music, video and data to mobile users in Japan and Korea through a variety of mobile terminals, including those in cars, ships, trains, handheld terminals, personal digital assistants, cellular phones and home portables. A very small antenna will be sufficient to receive these broadcast signals even inside buildings and in vehicles moving at high speeds.

"The MBSAT satellite will host one of the most cutting edge applications driving the satellite industry beyond basic broadcasting," said C. Patrick DeWitt, president, Space Systems/Loral. "SS/L has built a reliable, powerful and flexible spacecraft that will provide numerous multimedia applications in Japan and Korea for years to come."


The satellite carries two high power transponders for direct broadcasting services, with one transponder providing coverage for Japan and the other for Korea. Two additional transponders provide links to terrestrial repeater networks, which augment the satellite broadcast signal. Each transponder has an operating bandwidth of 25 MHz, allowing more than 50 channels of audio, video and data services.

The new spacecraft uses SS/L's space-proven three-axis, body-stabilized 1300 bus, tailored for the MBSAT payload. This payload combines high power phase matched transmitters with a 12-meter unfurlable reflector, providing exceptional coverage and quality of service. SS/L's satellites are designed to achieve long useful orbital life through use of bipropellant propulsion and momentum-bias systems for excellent stationkeeping and orbital stability. The MBSAT on orbit performance is further enhanced by use of Stationary Plasma Thrusters for orbital maneuvers. A system of high-efficiency solar arrays and lightweight batteries provide over 7400 watts of uninterrupted electrical power over the 12 years of satellite life.

Mobile Broadcasting Corporation was established to provide cars and mobile terminals with digital satellite broadcasting for audio, video and data services throughout Japan. MBCO's new broadcasting system was authorized by the Japanese Government and registered with the ITU. MBCO's major shareholders are Toshiba, SK Telecom, NTT Data, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, Toyota, Fujitsu, Nippon TV and Panasonic. So far 55 Japanese companies are MBCO partners. Several foreign companies own significant interests in the MBCO business venture while many others are currently considering investment. For more information, visit MBCO's web site at www.mbco.co.jp.

SK Telecom Co., Ltd. is Korea's leading wireless telecommunications services provider and a pioneer in the commercial development and provision of high-speed wireless data and Internet services. The company serves nearly 18 million subscribers throughout Korea, the majority of whom own data-capable handsets. SK Telecom has established a new company, TU Media Corp. with more than 150 investor companies. TU Media Corp. will provide mobile digital multimedia broadcasting services throughout the Korean Peninsula. For more information, visit SK Telecom's web site at www.sktelecom.com and TU Media Corp's web site at www.tu4u.com.

Space Systems/Loral, a subsidiary of Loral Space & Communications (OTC Bulletin Board: LRLSQ - News), 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. Based in Palo Alto, Calif., 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. SS/L satellites have amassed more than 1000 years of reliable on-orbit service. SS/L is ISO 9001:2000 certified. For more information, visit www.ssloral.com.

Loral Space & Communications is a satellite communications company. Through its Skynet subsidiary, it owns and operates a global fleet of telecommunications satellites used by television and cable networks to broadcast video entertainment programming, and by communication service providers, resellers, corporate and government customers for broadband data transmission, Internet services and other value-added communications services. Loral also is a world-class leader in the design and manufacture of satellites and satellite systems through its Space Systems/Loral subsidiary.