Posted: Mon, Apr 10, 2006, 8:24 PM ET (0024 GMT)
Arianespace has won a contract to launch a Japanese communications satellite in 2008, the launch services company announced Monday. An Ariane 5 will launch the Superbird 7 satellite for Japanese satellite operator Space Communications Corporation in the first quarter of 2008. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. The satellite, currently being built by Mitsubishi Electric, will weigh about 5,000 kg at launch. The spacecraft will be located in GEO at 144 degrees east, providing various communications services for the Asia Pacific region.