SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. hired Arianespace to provide an Ariane 5 heavy lifter rocket to launch the JCSAT-13 communications satellite in 2013, Arianespace announced.
The JCSAT-13 contract is the 27th that Arianespace has won in Japan out of 36 commercial contracts open to competition, according to the company.
JCSAT-13 will be launched by an Ariane 5 in 2013 from the Guiana Space Centre, Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, South America.
Built by Lockheed Martin Corp. [LMT] in Newtown, Pa., it will weigh about 4,500 kg (9,921 pounds) at launch and has a design life of 15 years.
JCSAT-13 will provide broadcasting/telecommunications services for Japan and the Asia-Pacific region in general.