❝ We have provided HTS satellites for our customers since 2014 , and we are able to propose multi-beam HTS satellites with throughput over
40Gbps .❞
2017 SPECIAL
Mitsubishi Electric aims to be a ‘ one-stop solution ’ provider to stay relevant and competitive
Having been a space technology developer since the 1960s , Mitsubishi Electric remains committed to international space development and satellite construction . Yasunori Kamochi , General Manager , Space Systems Division , Mitsubishi Electric Corporation , shares more with APB .
One recent key trend in the satellite communications / broadcast industry is high throughout satellites ( HTS ). How do you see this trend developing in 2017 , particularly in Asia- Pacific , and can you share with us what HTS capabilities Mitsubishi Electric is offering its customers ? Yasunori Kamochi : We think that the trend for HTS will continue to grow in 2017 , and into 2018 . We have been receiving a lot of interest from our customers — not only in Asia-Pacific , but also in the Middle East and so on — on future plans for their HTS satellites , and this number has increased over the past few years . We believe that growth on throughput for video , cellular backhaul and airline connectivity will continue based on strong demand in the Asia-Pacific region .
We have provided HTS satellites for our customers since 2014 , and we are able to propose multi-beam HTS satellites with throughput over 40Gbps . We are also able to provide an RF channelliser developed in-house , which is capable of changing the bandwidth of each beam to optimise its throughput and maximise the satellite ’ s potential and flexibility , at less cost .
We are currently developing an in-house digital channelliser , which will enable even more flexibility for our customers to cope with ever-changing market demands .
What are some of Mitsubishi Electric ’ s key strategies for
Asia-Pacific ? For instance , you offer the D2000 , the company ’ s flagship satellite bus . How does this help your customers in the region address emerging technologies such as 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) and satellite broadband IP ? Yasunori : Our strategy is to provide our customers with more power and a more flexible payload , at less cost and lead time based on the DS2000 heritage . The DS2000 has a long successful history as a geostationary satellite platform since the early 2000s , with a very good track record in orbit .
We have recently enhanced the power capacity of DS2000 from 14kW to 18kW and introduced a hybrid propulsion subsystem , which will contribute to satellite fuel mass reduction . This enhancement will provide more power and capacity for 4K / UHD payloads .
We are planning the next enhancement of DS2000 , which is to increase the power capacity up to the 25kW class , and the introduction of an all-electric propulsion subsystem , which we hope to complete in the near future .
We believe that these enhancements will enable our customers to choose the right platform based on their payload needs . Combining our payload solutions with RF channellisers or digital channellisers , we will be able to propose satellite solutions that will provide an optimum combination of payload throughput , cost and lead time .
What are the main challenges that will be facing the satellite communications / broadcast industry in 2017 , and what opportunities do you think Mitsubishi Electric can find in an increasingly competitive marketplace ? Yasunori : We believe that there will be an increase in pressure to lower the “ cost per bit ” due to the competition from terrestrial networks , LEO ( low earth orbit )/ MEO ( medium earth orbit ) constellations or even from HTS satellites providing wider coverage .
To stay relevant and competitive in this market , we believe it is important to be able to provide a “ one-stop solution ” that our customers can count on , as well as provide competitiveness in the quality , lead time and cost .
As a “ one-stop solution ” provider , we are able to provide service from start to finish , including case studies on clients ’ payload before the project starts , design , manufacture , assemble and test the satellite in-house .
We are also able to provide ground system integration , provide training courses for operators , technicians , launch site operation , in-orbit test , backup operation at our control centre and lifetime support by our support engineers .
We are confident that we will be able to provide satisfaction to our customers with our new DS2000 platform and its flexible payload , together with our concept of “ one-stop service ”.
Besides the commercial communications satellite space ,
❝ We have provided HTS satellites for our customers since 2014 , and we are able to propose multi-beam HTS satellites with throughput over
40Gbps .❞
— Yasunori Kamochi , General Manager ,
Space Systems Division , Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation
what are the other key fields of business for Mitsubishi Electric ? Yasunori : We are also very active in the observation satellite arena . The ALOS-2 SAR and GOSAT-2 Green House Gas observation satellites are just two examples of what we offer in this area .
We are also manufacturing positioning satellites called QZS ( Quasi Zenith Satellite ). QZS is a seven-satellite system that covers the Asia-Pacific region and will be in service from 2017 .
In the field of space exploration , we are manufacturing the avionics module of the H-II Transfer Vehicle ( HTV ), which controls the HTV ’ s rendezvous with the International Space Station ( ISS ). We are also involved in JAXA ’ s lunar lander programme , SLIM ( Smart Lander for Investigation Moon ), which is planned for a 2019 launch .
We are one of the leading manufacturers in Japan for radio and optical telescopes . We were responsible for the design and manufacture of the “ Subaru- Telescope ”, which is a state-ofthe-art , 7.2m optical telescope placed in Hawaii . We are also involved in the Thirty Meter Telescope ( TMT ) project , and we are able to provide the necessary products and services from ground to space .
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