In what is considered to be a significant breakthrough, Saab Ericsson Space AB, Sweden, has received an order for Ku-band frequency converters for the JCSAT-10 payload from Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, which will be delivered on a 12 month schedule.
The converters are similar to those previously supplied to Boeing Satellite Systems and to EADS Astrium but minor adaptations will be made to make the product fit with the Lockheed Martin A2100AX satellite platform standards. The JCSAT-10 satellite has been ordered by the Japanese operator JSAT Corp., an operator in the Asia-Pacific area, and will carry high power Ku-band and medium-power C-band transponders.
Commenting on the significance of the agreement, Bengt Mörtberg, president and CEO of Saab Ericsson Space, said, “This is our first order from Lockheed Martin. We are very pleased that we have been given this opportunity to prove ourselves as a supplier to them and to have it confirmed once again that we have a strong product line of frequency converters.” He added, “It is of high importance to us to have several customers of similar products to be able to offer a cost-efficient product portfolio.”