Mitsubishi Electric Completes Japan's Largest Privately-Owned Satellite Assembly and Testing Plant
TOKYO---Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (President: Ichiro Taniguchi) announced that as part of its move towards full-scale participation in the commercial satellite business, construction has been completed of a new plant at its Kamakura Works for the assembly and testing of satellites. Kamakura Works has more than 30 years experience in the space industry, and has manufactured and sold more satellites than any other Japanese factory.
The new plant incorporates a space chamber for testing under conditions simulating the severe environment found in space, and a compact antenna test range for systematic measurement and evaluation of communication system performance, giving it the following capabilities:
-Full satellite production cycle from design to assembly and testing. -Production time and cost reductions achieved by integrating production and testing within the same plant. -Product quality and work efficiency enhancements achieved through a high-speed LAN enabling computer and information network construction.
Main Facilities and Features : (1) Building : One basement level and five levels above ground provide 4,554 square meters of usable floor area in a building reaching a height of 23.8m (eaves height 22.9m) with a 2,483 square-meter footprint. It is designed with sufficient strength not to collapse in an earthquake of intensity 6 to 7 on the Japanese scale.
(2) Space Chamber : The space chamber enables a low temperature and high vacuum environment to be simulated inside a large vacuum vessel, and is used for pre-launch performance testing of satellites. -Its 11.5 m diameter and 11 m length makes this the largest space chamber in Japan apart from the NASDA chamber. -Independent temperature control of six zones enables simulation of a variety of space temperature conditions without needing to utilize special equipment. -The chamber design as a horizontally-oriented cylinder with a sliding main door and flat floor greatly simplifies satellite handling and test setup.
(3) Compact Antenna Test Range : is used to test satellite systems and the functionality of each of the different types of antenna. -The spacious test range measures 20 m x 30 m x 16 m, and has a main reflector of 7.5 m x 6.0 m, a sub reflector of 5.6 m x 5.3 m, and a 5 m diameter test zone, making it the largest compact test range in Japan. -Test frequency range of 1.5 to 100 GHz enables testing at a wide range of different frequencies. -The test zone can be shifted left and right to facilitate test setup. -High performance shielding enables the range to be used for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing.
Background : The market for spacecraft -- satellite and rockets -- forms the bulk of the space industry, and spacecraft for commercial use is a part of that international market that is growing rapidly.
Mitsubishi Electric has participated in a very large number of international satellite projects ever since INTELSAT in 1968, supplying on-board equipment such as transponders and solar panels.
Mitsubishi Electric's entry into satellite systems is the result of several years of preparation. It was decided that having a large-scale testing facility was essential to compete with European and US manufacturers' clear superiority in cost and delivery time, and this decision led to the start of construction in August 1998.
The completion of the new plant and the recent order for large communications satellites from Cable & Wireless Optus provide the opportunity for Mitsubishi Electric to intensify its work towards receiving satellite system contracts.
With more than 75 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and construction.
With operations in 34 countries, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation recorded consolidated group sales of over US$31 billion in 1999, 37% of which was from the Information, Telecommunication and Electronic Systems and Devices segment.
-ends-
Mitsubishi Electric Completes Japan's Largest Privately-Owned Satellite Assembly and Testing Plant
