TOKYO, April 7, 2017 - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it will invest approximately 11 billion yen to construct a new facility for the production of satellites at company's Kamakura Works in Kamakura, Japan. Together with existing facilities, Mitsubishi Electric's production capacity will increase to 18 satellites in parallel, up from 10 in parallel at present, which will enable the company to satisfy growing demand for governmental satellites in Japan and commercial communication satellites worldwide. Mitsubishi Electric is targeting space-related revenue of 150 billion yen by 2021.

Rendition of new facility at Kamakura Works

The new facility will increase production efficiency, shorten production time, reduce costs and elevate product quality for enhanced competitiveness. It will incorporate information technology based on Mitsubishi Electric's e-F@ctory solutions, which extract hidden benefits from existing resources through integrated automation to improve efficiencies, reduce costs and increasing overall productivity.

Mitsubishi Electric's long involvement with satellites includes the Himawari-7, -8 and -9 weather satellites, the Superbird-C2, Japan's first commercial communications satellite, QZS high-accuracy positioning satellite systems and the TURKSAT-4A and -4B satellites for Turksat A.S of Turkey.

The Japanese market for governmental satellites is expected to grow under the Japanese government's Basic Plan for Space Policy to develop satellites that support daily life, including for observations, communications and positioning, and to promote the commercial use of space for the enhancement of Japan's industrial and scientific infrastructure. In the field of commercial communications satellites, which account for a steady global market, Mitsubishi Electric aims to enhance its position in this market with technologies cultivated for governmental satellites, such as next-generation engineering test satellites.

Mitsubishi Electric's Space Systems Business

Mitsubishi Electric, a leading manufacturer for space research and development, has participated in the production of more than 500 domestic and international satellites as either the prime contractor or a major subcontractor. In 2000, the company became the first Japanese manufacturer capable of developing, designing, assembling and testing satellites at a single location. The company's Kamakura Works is equipped with one of Japan's largest thermal-vacuum testing chambers, an acoustic test chamber and an antenna test range. To date, the works has produced 18 satellites, as well as electronic modules for the Japanese-driven H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV) for unmanned cargo resupply in outer space.

Mitsubishi Electric strengthened its presence in the global satellite market when it was selected to supply the TURKSAT-4A and -4B satellites to Turkey's Turksat A.S. in March 2011. The two satellites incorporate Mitsubishi Electric's DS2000 satellite platform, which facilitates the delivery of highly reliable satellites at reasonable costs. In May 2011, Mitsubishi Electric successfully delivered its ST-2 communications satellite into geostationary orbit for a joint venture between Singapore Telecommunications Limited and Taiwan-based Chunghwa Telecom Company Limited. In 2014, the company was awarded a contract to deliver the Es'hail 2 communications satellite to operator Qatar Satellite Company (Es'hailSat).

New Satellite Component Production Facility

  Location   Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Building area 6,600 m2
Structure Four-story reinforced-concrete structure
Floor area 13,000 m2
Main products 1.Satellite systems: observation/communications/positioning etc.
2.Satellite on-board components
Production capacity 18 satellites in parallel (together with existing facilities)
Installed equipment Large thermal vacuum chamber, large vibration table, antenna test range, etc.
Completion July 2019
Operation October 2019
Investment Approximately 11 billion yen
Green measures Solar-powered system, heat pump air-conditioning system, LED lights and energy-management system

Note that the releases are accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change without notice.