Lockheed Martin is preparing to deliver spacecraft to a pair of Japan-based companies, Lockheed Martin announced June 19. The BSAT-3A satellite for the Broadcasting Satellite System Corp. (B-SAT) and the JCSAT-11 for JSAT Corp. (JSAT) are both expected in the third quarter of 2007.

The communications payload of BSAT-3A, now in preparation for shipment to the Arianespace launch site in French Guiana, contains 12 Ku-band channels (eight operating at one time) and will be located at 110° East, with a design life of more than 13 years.

JCSAT-11, scheduled for launch on a Proton vehicle by International Launch Services, is a high-power hybrid satellite with 30 active Ku-band transponders and 12 active C-band transponders to provide coverage to Japan, the Asia-Pacific region and Hawaii. Designed for a minimum service life of 15 years, it will serve as a back-up for other JSAT satellites.