Mitsubishi Electric’s new facility at Kamakura Works. Photo: Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has completed a new satellite production facility at the company’s Kamakura Works in Kamakura, Japan. Between this facility and existing facilities, Mitsubishi Electric’s plans to increase annual capacity will increase to 18 satellites, up from 10 at present, saying it will enable the company to fulfill demand for governmental satellites in Japan and commercial communication satellites worldwide.

A large thermal vacuum chamber, vibration table, and antenna test range have been installed at the new facility. It also incorporates Mitsubishi Electric products, such as a heat pump air-conditioning system, LED lights and high-efficiency transformers. 

This facility was an approximately $99 million investment. Mitsubishi Electric expects the Japanese market for government satellites to grow under Japan’s Basic Plan for Space Policy, which calls for the development of observation, communication, and positioning satellites that support daily life and facilitate the commercial use of space for Japan’s industrial and scientific foundations. Mitsubishi Electric has been involved with Himawari-7, -8 and -9 weather satellites, the Superbird-C2-Japan’s first commercial communications satellite, QZS high-accuracy positioning satellite systems, and the Es’hail-2 for Qatar Satellite Company in Qatar.