Lockheed Martin has signed a contract with the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT) of Japan to build its next geostationary telecommunications satellite. Designated BSAT-3a, the 1.8-kW satellite will provide direct broadcast services throughout Japan following its scheduled launch the second quarter of 2007. Contract terms were not disclosed. B-SAT previously issued an authorization to proceed to Lockheed Martin for start of satellite design and construction.

The BSAT-3a communications payload comprises eight 130-W Ku-band channels and will be located at 110 degrees East longitude. With a design life of more than 13 years, BSAT-3a is based on the award-winning A2100A platform manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), Newtown, Pa. BSAT-3a marks the 12th Lockheed Martin satellite contract awarded in the 1- to 4-kW small-class satellite range and the second in 2005.

"We are pleased to offer BSAT a robust, flexible, reliable and cost- effective design based on our flight-proven small-class A2100A," said LMCSS President Ted Gavrilis. "The A2100's mission versatility, ranging from 1 to 3 kW up to 12 kW, makes it an excellent low-risk platform for most satellite applications, and we look forward to delivering BSAT-3a and working with BSAT, our new customer."

"BSAT-3a is a very important satellite for the direct broadcasting (DBS) program in Japan, which has a large subscriber base of around 17 million," said B-SAT President Tatsuo Gunji. "B-SAT expects that LMCSS will deliver BSAT-3a on orbit in mid-2007 as scheduled to continue the DBS service."

BSAT-3A is the third satellite award for Lockheed Martin this year based on signed construction contracts. In January, Nordic Satellite AB (NSAB) awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to build their next geostationary direct broadcast satellite, designated SIRIUS 4. SES AMERICOM recently awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to build AMC-18, a small-class satellite also based on the A2100A.

The Lockheed Martin A2100 geosynchronous spacecraft series is designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs including Ka-band broadband and broadcast services, fixed satellite services in C-band and Ku-band, high- power direct broadcast services using the Ku-band frequency spectrum and mobile satellite services using UHF, L-band, and S-band payloads. The A2100's modular design features a reduction in parts, simplified construction, increased on-orbit reliability and reduced weight and cost.

About BSAT

B-SAT, established in April 1994 and located in Tokyo, Japan, reported JFY2004 sales of 7.36 billion yen with its paid in capital 15 billion yen. B-SAT procures, controls and manages broadcasting satellites including uplink services as a sole owner of direct broadcasting satellites in Japan. The company owns and manages five satellites, BSAT-1a and -1b for analog services, BSAT-2a and -2c for digital services, and BS-3N, built by Lockheed Martin, as a spare.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2004 sales of $35.5 billion.

Media Contacts: Dee Valleras, 215-497-4185; e-mail, dee.valleras@lmco.com

For more information about Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, see our web site at http://www.lmcommercialspace.com

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin