Artist's concept of SUPERBIRD-6 satellite in orbit. Photo: BSS

Boeing Satellite Systems, a unit of The Boeing Company, signed a contract with Space Communications Corporation (SCC) of Tokyo for a Boeing 601 communications satellite.

The satellite, designated SUPERBIRD-6, is scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2003. SCC will select the launch vehicle at a later date.

"Boeing is very honored to build its third SUPERBIRD satellite for SCC," said Randy Brinkley, president of Boeing Satellite Systems. "Our first, SUPERBIRD-C, was launched in July 1997, then SUPERBIRD-4 was launched in February 2000. These satellites, along with SUPERBIRD-6, have established a strong continued relationship with SCC, and we are pleased that they have returned to us once again to meet their satellite needs."

SUPERBIRD-6, slated for an orbital slot at 158.0 degrees East longitude, will provide business telecommunication services using Japan Beam and Steerable Beam. The satellite has a payload of 23 active Ku-band transponders and four Ka-band transponders.

"SCC is very pleased to work with BSS," said Teruhiko Ena, president of Space Communications Corporation. "Two satellites built by HSC (Currently BSS) are working very well. We expect BSS will provide a high quality and reliable satellite again on time, and also hope that our partnership with Boeing can be strengthened in various fields."

Space Communications Corporation (SCC), a Japanese satellite communications service company, was established in 1985 by Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO), and other Mitsubishi Group Companies. SCC now operates four communications satellites named SUPERBIRD-A, B2, C, and D at four orbital slot, by which SCC is providing stable and high quality telecommunication services to a wide range of customers.

SUPERBIRD is the name of the series of high-performance communications satellites owned and operated by SCC.

Boeing is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites and a major provider of space systems, satellites and payloads for national defense, science and environmental applications.

The Boeing Company is the largest aerospace company in the world and the United States' leading exporter. It is NASA's largest contractor and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles, satellites, and advanced information and communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries.