�We believe there is another growing need for smaller , compact spacecraft with less power , which can carry smaller HTS or conventional payloads . �
2018 SPECIAL
From ground to space ... Mitsubishi Electric provides total solutions
Hiromasa Nakaguro , general manager , Space Systems Division , Mitsubishi Electric Corporation , details to APB how the company can help customers in the satellite space meet all their needs through its space systems and ground support .
One key development in the satellite communications / broadcast industry that is set for continued growth in 2018 is HTS . How would you access the impact of HTS , particularly for the satellite broadcast industry , and how is this technology also addressing how content is being consumed today ? Hiromasa Nakaguro : We believe high throughput satellite ( HTS ) has already become the major trend for communications / broadcast satellite in Asia-Pacific and will remain that way for the near future .
Most of the enquiries we receive from our customers in APAC , South Asia and the Middle East have been related to their interests on HTS for their future satellites . We believe that growth on throughput for video , cellular backhaul and airline connectivity will continue based on the
strong demands in these regions . HTS has enabled operators to cope with the competition from the terrestrial networks on the “ cost per bit ” race , by supplying large communication capacity . Although the majority of the satellite service revenues in APAC are generated by broadcast service , we believe that there will be a steady growth for video , cellular backhaul and airline connectivity demands supported by HTS , as the middle-income population in the region increases .
Can you also elaborate on some of the HTS initiatives and projects that we can expect from Mitsubishi Electric in 2018 ? Nakaguro : Based on our heritage DS2000 platform , we are currently developing an enhanced satellite platform called New DS2000 , which will double the spacecraft capacity up to 25kW to meet the HTS payload needs .
New DS2000 is based upon the contract from the Japanese government , named the ETS-9 ( Engineering Test Satellite-9 ) programme , which is planned to be launched in 2021 . We will be ready to start selling capacity on New DS2000 for the commercial market in 2019 .
New DS2000 will enable Mitsubishi Electric to provide our customers with multi-beam HTS payload of more than 100 beams and a digital channeliser capable of bandwidth and power flexibility , and Digital Beamforming . This enhancement will give more power and capacity for 4K / Ultra HD ( UHD ) payload ,
Mitsubishi Electric is developing an enhanced satellite platform called New DS2000 , which will double the spacecraft capacity up to 25kW to meet the HTS payload needs .
and enable our customers to cope with ever-changing market demands .
What other technologies do you see your customers in Asia-Pacific looking for ? For instance , are you seeing increasing opportunities in the region for 4K / UHD and satellite IP ? Nakaguro : We believe there is another growing need for smaller , compact spacecraft with less power , which can carry smaller HTS or conventional payloads . Utilising its flexibility , DS2000 can meet the needs for these types of small satellite platform . It will enable operators who want to concentrate on certain areas with steady demand , and avoid investing on a large HTS platform to lower the “ cost per bit ”.
We believe this platform will be able to provide our customers with a low Capex solution by minimising the satellite cost , as well as the launch cost by launching several satellites in stacks .
We are already starting to see many Satcom start-up companies in the region , and we believe it is also important for us to be able to provide “ one-stop solutions ” that our customers can count on , as well as offering competitiveness in the quality , lead time and cost .
As a “ one-stop solution ” provider , we can provide service from start to
�We believe there is another growing need for smaller , compact spacecraft with less power , which can carry smaller HTS or conventional payloads . �
— Hiromasa Nakaguro finish , including case studies on their payload planning , satellite and payload design , manufacture , assemble and test in-house . We can also provide ground system integration and training courses for operators and technicians , launch site operation , in-orbit test and perform backup operation at our control centre , and offer lifetime support by our support engineers .
We are confident that we will be able to provide satisfaction to our customers with our New DS2000 small satellite platform and its flexible payload , together with our “ one-stop service ” proposition .
What are some of the challenges Mitsubishi Electric expect to face in 2018 , and how will this shape your overall strategy for Asia-Pacific ? Nakaguro : We see the strong downward pressure on the “ cost per bit ” continuing , which means that there will be more “ cost down ” pressure on satellite Capex as well .
Our customers are constantly facing price pressure from the market and , at the same time , are trying to find the right path to meet what are now uncertain future market demands .
To support our customers , we believe it is our mission to provide a more flexible payload that is cost-effective and available in shorter lead time for a quicker service deployment . Our New DS2000 programme is not just about the development of a large , flexible HTS payload and platform , but will also aim to develop a costeffective large HTS platform with shorter lead time .
We are aiming for more than 30 % cost reduction compared to previous DS2000 satellites , with comparable lead time as a conventional satellite . We are very much looking forward to introducing this platform to the market to better serve our customers .
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