[Satellite Today – 4-11-08] Arianespace has been selected to launch the BSAT-3b satellite, Arianespace announced April 11.
    This will be the seventh satellite Arianespace will launch for Japanese operator Broadcasting Satellite System Corp., and will provide direct-to-home broadcasts from geostationary orbit to subscribers throughout Japan.
    “We are proud and honored to once again serve such a faithful and prestigious customer as B-SAT Corp.,” Arianespace Chairman and CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall in a statement. “Arianespace’s choice by a large Japanese operator to orbit its satellite is a major vote of confidence for us, as well as an acknowledgement of the excellence of our service and solutions launch offer.”
    Separately, Kiyoshi Takamatsu has been promoted as Arianespace’s representative for Japan.