24th Japanese contract for Arianespace

This is the 24th launch contract won by Arianespace in Japan out of 33 commercial contracts in the competitive market.

JCSAT-12 will be launched by an Ariane 5 during the summer of 2009 from the Guiana Space Center, Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

JCSAT-12 will provide service covering Japan, the Asia-Pacific region and Hawaii. Built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems in Newtown, Pennsylvania, JCSAT-12 is designed for a minimum of 15 years in-orbit life and will serve as backup satellite for other JSAT satellites.

A very prestigious client
Arianespace has built a relationship of mutual trust with JSAT Corporation, the leading private Japanese telecom operator, since 1989. JCSAT-12 is the seventh satellite to be contracted by Arianespace for the company, following the original JCSAT-1, then JCSAT-5 in 1997, JCSAT-110 in 2000, JCSAT-8 in 2002, JCSAT-9 and JCSAT-10 in 2006.

Commenting on this latest contract, Arianespace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jean-Yves Le Gall said: "We are very proud and very honored to once again serve a client as loyal and as prestigious as JSAT Corporation. Being chosen by the leading Japanese operator is the ultimate mark of confidence, and clear recognition of the quality and excellence of Arianespace's launch Service and Solutions."

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