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Horizons Satellite is a joint venture between Intelsat and SKY Perfect JSAT Group. Originally formed in 2001, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between JSAT Corporation and PanAmSat for the launch of Horizons-1, it was renewed for Horizons-2.[1][2][3][4] JSAT later merged into the SKY Perfect JSAT Group and PanAmSat was acquired by Intelsat, but the companies continued with the relationship, with the order for Horizons-3e.[5] Both companies also launched a joint satellite, Intelsat 15/JCSAT-85, but instead of the equal share agreement of this joint venture, JSAT owns a specific payload of 5 transponders out of the 22 Ku band transponders of the spacecraft.[6][7]
| Company type | joint venture |
|---|---|
| Industry | Satellite communications |
| Founded | July 1, 2001, United States |
| Founders | JSAT Corporation, PanAmSat |
| Products | |
| Total equity | US$ 110 Millions (2001) |
| Owners |
|
On August 1, 2001, JSAT Corporation announced an equal share joint venture with PanAmSat, called Horizons Satellite.[1][2] On September 4, 2001, it ordered from Boeing its first satellite, Horizons-1/Galaxy 13. It was a 4 t (4.4 tons) spacecraft with 24 C band and 24 Ku band transponders. It had a 10 kW power generation capacity and 15 years of expected life.[8]
On the same day of the satellite order, Boeing disclosed that it had received an parallel contract from PanAmSat, where the latter had exercised an existing option to launch Horizons-1 from its Sea Launch subsidiary.[9]
On October 22, 2002, JSAT and PanAmSat announced a joint sales agreement where JSAT's clients would gain access to PAS 2 and PAS 8, while PanAmSat's would get JCSAT-2A and JCSAT-3.[10][11] A week later, on October 28, Horizons Satellites obtained permission to operate in Japan.[12]
Horizons-1 was successfully launched on October 1, 2003 aboard a Zenit-3SL rocket from the Ocean Odyssey platform in the Pacific.[13][14][15]
On June 27, 2005, JSAT and PanAmSat announced that they were renewing the partnership by ordering a second satellite, Horizons-2. This Ku band satellite would be positioned on the 74°West that belonged to PanAmSat.[3][4]
On August 30, 2005, Orbital Sciences announced that Horizons Satellite had ordered a small satellite based on the STAR-2 platform, Horizons-2, for the PanAmSat licensed orbital slot at 74°West. It would carry 20 Ku band transponders, generate 3.5 kW of power, weight around 2.3 t (2.5 tons) and was expected to be launched in 2007.[16]
The August 2005 take over of PanAmSat by Intelsat, did not diminished the relationship and, in fact, strengthened the alliance.[5] On December 21, 2007, Horizons Satellite used an Ariane 5 rocket to launch Horizons-2.[17] And, outside of the Horizons Satellite, JCSAT and Intelsat launched the joint satellite Intelsat 15/JCSAT-85 on November 30, 2009 aboard a Zenit-3SLB.[7]
On November 4, 2015, JSAT and Intelsat made a joined statement that they would add a new member to their Horizons joint venture. The satellite, called Horizons 3e, would be based on the Intelsat EpicNG platform, featuring an optimized C band and high throughput Ku band payload it would offer mobility and broadband connectivity services in the Asia-Pacific region.[18] It was expected to use the 169°East orbital slot and launch by the second half of 2018.[19]
This would be the fourth joint satellite, along with the other two Horizons Satellite spacecraft, Horizons-1 and Horizons-2 and the separately co-owned JCSAT-85/Intelsat 15. Since this would be an investment within Horizons Satellite, it would not be considered a capital expenditure of the parent companies.[6]
It has two satellites on-orbit Horizons-1 and Horizons-2, with a third, Horizons-3e planned for 2018.
| Project | Name | Bus | Payload | Order | Launch | Launch Vehicle | Launch Result | Launch Weight | Status | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizons-1 | Horizons-1 Galaxy 13 | HS-601HP | 24 Ku band and 24 C band | 2001 | 2003-10-01 | Zenit-3SL | Success | 4,060 kg (8,950 lb) | Operational at 127°E | Co-owned with Intelsat.[20][13] |
| Horizons-2 | Horizons-2 | GEOStar-2 | 20 Ku band | 2005 | 2007-12-21 | Ariane 5GS | Success | 2,304 kg (5,079 lb) | Operational at 85°E | Launched along Rascom-QAF 1. Co-owned with Intelsat[20][17] |
| Horizons-3e | — | BSS-702MP | C band and Ku band | 2015 | 2019 2nd Half | — | Success | 6 t (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons) | Operational at 169°E | Horizons Satellite 3rd satellite. Co-owned with Intelsat, EpicNG architecture. Will replace Intelsat 805.[18][19][6] |
- JSAT (satellite constellation) - One of the two constellations under which the Horizons satellite series are managed.
- List of Intelsat satellites – The other constellation under which Horizons satellites are managed.
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