Horizons Satellite

Last updated
Horizons Satellite
joint venture
Industry Satellite communications
Founded July 1, 2001;16 years ago (2001-07-01), United States
Founders JSAT Corporation, PanAmSat
Products
Total equity US$ 110 Millions (2001)
Owners

Horizons Satellite is a joint venture between Intelsat and SKY Perfect JSAT Group. Originally formed in 2001, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between JSAT Corporation and PanAmSat for the launch of Horizons-1, it was renewed for Horizons-2. [1] [2] [3] [4] JSAT later merged into the SKY Perfect JSAT Group and PanAmSat was acquired by Intelsat, but the companies continued with the relationship, with the order for Horizons-3e. [5] Both companies also launched a joint satellite, Intelsat 15/JCSAT-85, but instead of the equal share agreement of this joint venture, JSAT owns a specific payload of 5 transponders out of the 22 Ku band transponders of the spacecraft. [6] [7]

A Joint Venture (JV) is a business entity created by two or more parties, generally characterized by shared ownership, shared returns and risks, and shared governance. Companies typically pursue joint ventures for one of four reasons: to access a new market, particularly emerging markets; to gain scale efficiencies by combining assets and operations; to share risk for major investments or projects; or to access skills and capabilities.

Intelsat communications satellite services provider

Intelsat Corporation—formerly INTEL-SAT, INTELSAT, Intelsat—is a communications satellite services provider. Originally formed as International Telecommunications Satellite Organization, it was—from 1964 to 2001—an intergovernmental consortium owning and managing a constellation of communications satellites providing international broadcast services.

Contents

History

On August 1, 2001, JSAT Corporation announced an equal share joint venture with PanAmSat, called Horizons Satellite. [1] [2] On September 4, 2001, it ordered from Boeing its first satellite, Horizons-1 / Galaxy 13 . It was a 4 t (4.4 tons) spacecraft with 24 C band and 24 Ku band transponders. It had a 10 kW power generation capacity and 15 years of expected life. [8]

JSAT Corporation (JSAT) was the first private Japanese satellite operator, which owned the JSAT satellites, as well as operated and partially owned the N-Star with NTT DoCoMo. Its origins can be traced to the funding of Japan Communications Satellite Company (JCSAT) and Satellite Japan Corporation in 1985. Both companies merged into Japan Satellite Systems Inc. in 1993. In 2000 the company was renamed as JSAT Corporation and was listed in the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In September 1, 2008, the company was merged into the SKY Perfect JSAT Group.

The former PanAmSat Corporation founded in 1984 by Reynold (Rene) Anselmo, was a satellite service provider headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut. It operated a fleet of communications satellites used by the entertainment industry, news agencies, internet service providers, government agencies, and telecommunication companies. Anselmo got the idea for PanAmSat from Norm Leventhal, a communications lawyer in Washington, D.C., to whom he had turned to for advice regarding difficulties he was encountering in getting reasonably priced satellite transmission for his Spanish International Network (SIN), the current-day Univision. Anselmo financed the entire project himself and Leventhal's law firm, hiring Martin Rothblatt for special satellite technical advice, filed for approval from the Federal Communications Commission and lining up an initial satellite from RCA Astro-Electronics and a heavily discounted launch from Arianespace.

Boeing Aerospace and defense manufacturer in the United States

The Boeing Company is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, and missiles worldwide. The company also provides leasing and product support services. Boeing is among the largest global aircraft manufacturers; it is the fifth-largest defense contractor in the world based on 2017 revenue, and is the largest exporter in the United States by dollar value. Boeing stock is included in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

On the same day of the satellite order, Boeing disclosed that it had received an parallel contract from PanAmSat, where the latter had exercised an existing option to launch Horizons-1 from its Sea Launch subsidiary. [9]

Sea Launch commercial satellite launching service using a mobile launch platform

Sea Launch is a multinational spacecraft launch service that used a mobile maritime launch platform for equatorial launches of commercial payloads on specialized Zenit-3SL rockets through 2014.

On October 22, 2002, JSAT and PanAmSat announced a joint sales agreement where JSAT's clients would gain access to PAS 2 and PAS 8, while PanAmSat's would get JCSAT-2A and JCSAT-3. [10] [11] A week later, on October 28, Horizons Satellites obtained permission to operate in Japan. [12]

JCSAT-2A, known as JCSAT-8 before launch, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Boeing on the BSS-601 platform. It has Ku band and C band payload and was used to replace JCSAT-2 at the 154°East longitude. It covers Japan, East Asia, Australia and Hawaii.

JCSAT-3 was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-601 platform. It was originally ordered by JSAT Corporation, which later merged into the SKY Perfect JSAT Group. It has a mixed Ku band and C band payload and operated on the 128°E longitude until it was replaced by JCSAT-3A.

Horizons-1 was successfully launched on October 1, 2003 aboard a Zenit-3SL rocket from the Ocean Odyssey platform in the Pacific. [13] [14] [15]

The Zenit-3SL is an expendable carrier rocket operated by Sea Launch. First flown in 1999, it has been launched 36 times, with three failures and one partial failure. It is a member of the Zenit family of rockets, and is built by the Yuzhnoye Design Bureau. RKK Energia produces the Block DM-SL upper stage, whilst the payload fairing is produced by Boeing. Launches are conducted from the Ocean Odyssey platform anchored on the equator in the Pacific Ocean, at a point with 154°W longitude, about 370 kilometres east of Kiritimati.

<i>Odyssey</i> (launch platform) mobile marine spacecraft launch platform operated by Sea Launch

LP Odyssey is a self-propelled semi-submersible mobile spacecraft launch platform converted from a mobile drilling rig in 1997.

On June 27, 2005, JSAT and PanAmSat announced that they were renewing the partnership by ordering a second satellite, Horizons-2. This Ku band satellite would be positioned on the 74°West that belonged to PanAmSat. [3] [4]

Horizons-2 is a Ku band communications satellite owned by Horizons Satellite, a joint venture between SKY Perfect JSAT Group and Intelsat. Its orbital slot is located at 74° west longitude.

On August 30, 2005, Orbital Sciences announced that Horizons Satellite had ordered a small satellite based on the STAR-2 platform, Horizons-2, for the PanAmSat licensed orbital slot at 74°West. It would carry 20 Ku band transponders, generate 3.5 kW of power, weight around 2.3 t (2.5 tons) and was expected to be launched in 2007. [16]

The August 2005 take over of PanAmSat by Intelsat, did not diminished the relationship and, in fact, strengthened the alliance. [5] On December 21, 2007, Horizons Satellite used an Ariane 5 rocket to launch Horizons-2. [17] And, outside of the Horizons Satellite, JCSAT and Intelsat launched the joint satellite Intelsat 15/JCSAT-85 on November 30, 2009 aboard a Zenit-3SLB. [7]

On November 4, 2015, JSAT and Intelsat made a joined statement that they would add a new member to their Horizons joint venture. The satellite, called Horizons 3e, would be based on the Intelsat EpicNG platform, featuring an optimized C band and high throughput Ku band payload it would offer mobility and broadband connectivity services in the Asia-Pacific region. [18] It was expected to use the 169°East orbital slot and launch by the second half of 2018. [19]

This would be the fourth joint satellite, along the other two Horizons Satellite spacecrafts, Horizons-1 and Horizons-2 and the separately co-owned JCSAT-85/Intelsat 15. Since this would be an investment within Horizons Satellite, it would not be considered a capital expenditure of the parent companies. [6]

Horizons Fleet

It has two satellites on-orbit Horizons-1 and Horizons-2, with a third, Horizons-3e planned for 2018.

Project Name Bus Payload Order Launch Launch Vehicle Launch Result Launch Weight Status Remarks
Horizons-1 Horizons-1
Galaxy 13 		HS-601HP 24 Ku band and 24 C band 2001 2003-10-01 Zenit-3SL Success 4,060 kg (8,950 lb) Operational at 127°E Co-owned with Intelsat. [20] [13]
Horizons-2 Horizons-2 GEOStar-2 20 Ku band 2005 2007-12-21 Ariane 5GS Success 2,304 kg (5,079 lb) Operational at 85°E Launched along Rascom-QAF 1. Co-owned with Intelsat [20] [17]
Horizons-3e N/A BSS-702MP C band and Ku band 2015 2019 2nd Half N/A Planned 6 t (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons) Planned Horizons Satellite 3rd satellite. Co-owned with Intelsat, EpicNG architecture. Will replace Intelsat 805. [18] [19] [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

JCSAT-5A or N-STAR d, known as JCSAT-9 before launch, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100 platform.

JCSAT-11, was a geostationary communications satellite ordered by JSAT Corporation which was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100 platform. The satellite was designated to be used as an on-orbit, but was lost on launch failure.

Intelsat 2, formerly PAS-2, was a communications satellite operated by Intelsat which spent most of its operational life serving the Pacific Rim market from a longitude of 169° East. Launched in 1994, the satellite was operated by PanAmSat until it merged with Intelsat in 2006. The spacecraft was renamed, along with the rest of PanAmSat's fleet, in February 2007.

The Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) is a Japanese corporation established in April 1993 to procure, manage and lease transponders on communications satellites. Its largest stockholder, owning 49.9%, is NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation. In 1994 it was ranked by Space News as the world's 19th largest fixed satellite operator.

JCSAT-RA, previously known as JCSAT-12, is a Japanese geostationary communications satellite, which is operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group.

N-SAT-110, also known as JCSAT-7, JCSAT-110, Superbird-5 and Superbird-D, is a Japanese geostationary communications satellite which was operated by JSAT Corporation and Space Communications Corporation until both companies merged into SKY Perfect JSAT Group in 2008. It is positioned in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 110° East, from where it is used to provide communications services to Japan.

Intelsat 15, also known as IS-15, is a communications satellite owned by Intelsat. Intelsat 15 was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation, on a Star-2.4. It is located at 85° E longitude on the geostationary orbit. It was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome to a geosynchronous transfer orbit on 30 November 2009 by a Zenit-3SLB launch vehicle. It has 22 active Ku band transponders, plus eight spares. Five of those transponders are owned and operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group under the name JCSAT-85.

JCSAT-16

JCSAT-16 is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group and designed and manufactured by SSL on the SSL 1300 platform. It has a launch weight of 4,600 kg (10,100 lb), a power production capacity of 8.5 kW and a 15-year design life. Its payload is composed of Ku band and Ka band transponders. SKY Perfect JSAT Group plans to use JCSAT-16 as an in-orbit backup satellite for the Ku- and Ka-band satellites serving the Japanese market.

BSAT-3c, also known as JCSAT-110R, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100 platform.

JCSAT-15 is a communications satellite designed and manufactured for SKY Perfect JSAT Group by SSL on the SSL 1300 platform. It has a launch weight of 3,400 kg (7,500 lb), a power production capacity of 10 kW and a 15-year design life. Its payload is composed of Ku band and Ka band transponders.

Horizons-1, also known as Galaxy 13, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Intelsat and SKY Perfect JSAT Group (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Boeing on the BSS-601 platform. It has Ku band and C band payload and was used to replace Galaxy 9 at the 127°West longitude. It covers North America, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico.

Horizons-3e, also known as IS-H3e, is a high throughput geostationary communications satellite ordered by Horizons Satellite, a joint venture of Intelsat and SKY Perfect JSAT Group. The spacecraft is designed and manufactured by Boeing on the Boeing-702MP platform.

The JSAT constellation is a communication and broadcasting satellite constellation formerly operated by JSAT Corporation and currently by SKY Perfect JSAT Group. It has become the most important commercial constellation in Japan, and fifth in the world. It has practically amalgamated all private satellite operators in Japan, with only B-SAT left as a local competitor.

JCSAT-3A, known as JCSAT-10 before launch, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin on the A2100 platform.

Intelsat 26 was known as JCSAT-5 before launch and as JCSAT-R until it was sold to Intelsat in 2009. It is a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-601 platform. It was originally ordered by JSAT Corporation, which later merged into the SKY Perfect JSAT Group. It has a mixed Ku band and C band payload and was used as an on orbit spare.

JCSAT-1 was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-393 platform. It was originally ordered by Japan Communications Satellite Company (JCSAT), which later merged into the JSAT Corporation. It had a Ku band payload and operated on the 150°E longitude until it was replaced by JCSAT-1B.

References

  1. 1 2 "JSAT and PanAmSat to Develop Joint Satellite Business". JSAT Corporation. August 1, 2001. Archived from the original on 2005-02-07. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  2. 1 2 "PANAMSAT AND JSAT UNITE TO EXPAND KU-BAND". PanAmSat. August 1, 2001. Archived from the original on 2002-02-02. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  3. 1 2 "Notice Concerning JSAT-PanAmSat Joint Satellite Business Expand Satellite Business in North America". JSAT Corporation. June 27, 2005. Archived from the original on 2007-12-25. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  4. 1 2 "PANAMSAT AND JSAT TO EXPAND SATELLITE CAPACITY IN U.S. TO SATISFY GROWING HIGH-DEFINITION AND IP TELEVISION MARKETS". PanAmSat. June 27, 2005. Archived from the original on 2005-11-04. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  5. 1 2 "Intelsat and PanAmSat to Merge, Creating World-Class Communications Solutions Provider" (PDF). PanAmSat. August 29, 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-03-12. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  6. 1 2 3 Magan, Veronica (November 4, 2015). "Intelsat, JSAT Partner for Horizon 3e High Throughput Satellite for Asia Pacific" . Retrieved 2016-07-28.
  7. 1 2 Krebs, Gunter Dirk (2016-04-21). "Intelsat 15 (JCSat 85)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
  8. ↑ "Boeing to Build New Satellite for PanAmSat, JSAT Joint Venture". Boeing. September 4, 2001. Archived from the original on November 8, 2001. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  9. ↑ "PanAmSat Exercises Launch Option with Sea Launch". Boeing. September 4, 2001. Archived from the original on November 8, 2001. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  10. ↑ "JSAT and PanAmSat Conclude Joint Sales Agreement Covering the Asia-Pacific Region". JSAT Corporation. October 22, 2002. Archived from the original on 2007-04-23. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  11. ↑ "PANAMSAT AND JSAT DELIVER SATELLITE SERVICES IN ASIA PACIFIC". PanAmSat. October 22, 2002. Archived from the original on 2002-12-22. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  12. ↑ "Horizons Satellite Obtains Permission to Operate Type 1 Telecommunications Business". JSAT Corporation. October 28, 2002. Archived from the original on 2007-04-25. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  13. 1 2 Krebs, Gunter Dirk (2016-04-21). "Galaxy 13 / Horizons 1". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
  14. ↑ "The Successful Launch of Horizons-1". JSAT Corporation. October 1, 2003. Archived from the original on 2007-04-26. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  15. ↑ "PANAMSAT AND JSAT JOINTLY LAUNCH ADVANCED VIDEO, DATA AND HIGH-DEFINITION SATELLITE". PanAmSat. October 1, 2003. Archived from the original on 2003-12-08. Retrieved 2016-09-21.
  16. ↑ "Orbital Receives Contract for Horizons-2 Commercial Communications Satellite; Joint Venture Between PanAmSat and JSAT to Utilize Company's STAR(TM) Small Geosynchronous Satellite Platform". BusinessWire.com. Orbital Sciences Corporation. August 30, 2005. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
  17. 1 2 Krebs, Gunter Dirk (2016-04-21). "Horizons 2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
  18. 1 2 Krebs, Gunter Dirk (2016-04-21). "Horizons 3e". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2016-07-20.
  19. 1 2 "SKY Perfect JSAT and Intelsat to Bring High Throughput Capacity to Asia Pacific to Meet Growing Mobility and Broadband Demands" (PDF). SKY Perfect JSAT Group & Intelsat. November 4, 2015. Retrieved 2016-07-28.
  20. 1 2 "Satellite Fleet JSAT". SKY Perfect JSAT Group . Retrieved 2016-07-28.
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