Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract by JSAT Corporation of Japan to build its next geostationary telecommunications satellite, designated JCSAT-10, which will provide communications services throughout Japan and Asia following its scheduled launch in 2006. Financial terms were not disclosed.

JCSAT-10 will be a hybrid satellite, equipped with Ku-band high-power transponders and C-band medium-power transponders and will be located at 128 degrees East longitude. The spacecraft is based on the award winning A2100AX platform manufactured by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS), Newtown, Pa.

"We are truly honored to be selected to build JCSAT-10, the second consecutive satellite that JSAT has awarded to the Lockheed Martin team and the first industry-wide competitive award for 2004," said Ted Gavrilis, president, Commercial Space Systems. "We are proud of the A2100's record of performance and reliability, and we are pleased that JSAT has once again selected our solution as the best value for their business plan."

LMCSS is currently building JCSAT-9, also an A2100AX satellite, which will serve Asia and Japan following its planned launch in 2005. Last year, LMCSS received orders for five A2100 spacecraft from customers worldwide, the most of any commercial satellite manufacturer.

Lockheed Martin's series of A2100 geostationary spacecraft are designed to meet a wide variety of telecommunications needs ranging from high-power Ka, Ku and C-band fixed satellite and direct broadcast services to high power mobile satellite services using the L- and S-band frequency spectrum. The heritage A2100's modular design features flight-proven equipment, thus simplifying construction, shortening delivery schedule, and increasing on-orbit reliability.

Lockheed Martin has received industry-wide recognition for the A2100 platform, including an award in 2003 for Product of the Year, by Frost & Sullivan. Calling it "the most reliable and efficient of its class," Frost & Sullivan recognized the LMCSS-built A2100 satellite platform for its "outstanding on-orbit reliability record since it was first offered in 1996."

JSAT is the leading satellite operator in the Asia-Pacific region. The company owns and operates nine satellites in eight orbital slots. JSAT's communications satellites are opening up new opportunities with applications ranging from SKY Perfect TV! digital broadcasting services to television relays, video transmissions to retail outlet, and nationwide auctions. Implementing its corporate slogan, "JSAT, Creating Satellite Solutions," the company is actively expanding its business throughout the Pacific region. JSAT is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

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 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.