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Mission Update

Superbird-7 is readied for launch on Arianespaces upcoming Ariane 5 mission

July 31, 2008

The Japanese Superbird-7 satellite for Space Communications Corporation has entered final pre-launch preparations for its heavy-lift Ariane 5 mission from the Spaceport in French Guiana during August.

This first "made in Japan" commercial satellite for a Japanese telecommunications operator has completed its fueling process, and is now installed on the cone-shaped adapter that serves as the interface with its Ariane 5 ECA.

Superbird-7 will be orbited along with SES AMERICOM's AMC-21 satellite on the fifth Ariane 5 mission of 2008. Built by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation on the company's DS2000 spacecraft bus, Superbird 7 carries a Ku-band relay payload and will be positioned at an orbital slot of 144 degrees East.

It will be the successor to Space Communications Corporation's current Superbird-C satellite, and is to provide a wide range of telecommunications services for the Tokyo-based operator with the spacecraft's enhanced performance.

Arianespace's upcoming Ariane 5 launch is one of seven missions planned for 2008 – the busiest year for this workhorse launcher since its commercial introduction in 1999.